WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Fehr, Plante Up for Sun Award

Published on December 27, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - A current member of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings as well as a former star with the club are among the fourteen candidates nominated for the Southwestern Manitoba Sportsman of the Year for 2005.

The winner of the annual H.L. Krug Crawford Memorial Medal, as determined by the Brandon Sun's board of selectors, will be announced in the January 2nd edition.

Winkler's Eric Fehr wrapped up his four year WHL career with a brilliant season for the 2004-05 Wheat Kings, who captured their first Eastern Conference title in seven years. A former first round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals, Fehr led the league with 59 goals and 111 points in becoming the first Wheat King to lead the WHL in scoring since Ray Ferraro in 1983-84, capturing Player of the Year honours. Now playing with the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Fehr leads all AHL rookies with fourteen goals and 32 points in 32 games.

Netminder Tyler Plante enjoyed a banner rookie season with the Wheat Kings last winter. Not only did he backstop Brandon to its third Eastern Division pennant in four years, he established several club records including Most Shutouts in a Single Season (6) as well as Best Goals Against Average (2.58). His 34 wins were tied for second among WHL goalies and first among first year 'tenders. Chosen by the Florida Panthers in round two of last summer's NHL entry draft, the local product was also named as the WHL's Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Wheat King to win that award since Wade Redden captured the honour in 1994.

The other twelve nominees include Jill Officer of the Jennifer Jones' Scott Tournament of Hearts winning foursome, basketball star Michael Burgess, Manitoba's Select Under 17 Provincial baseball coach Faron Asham, O'Neil Gordon of the Brandon University basketball Bobcats, Killarney Lakers' all star catcher Darrick Jones, gymnast Jenna Kerbis, former Dauphin King goalkeeper Brett Koscielny, local soccer star Danielle Rocan, Manitoba Moose defenceman Brett Skinner, golfing sensation Kaitlin Troop, volleyball's Becky Young of Souris as well as Eric Truscott, who led Crocus Plains to both the Provincial High School and Baseball titles.

By winning their first Eastern Conference title since 1998, the Wheat Kings are one of five nominees for Westman Team of the Year. Joining the Wheats are Crocus Plains' High School baseball and hockey teams, the Brandon United Cougars Soccer team as well as the Brandon AAA Bantam Cloverleafs.

Speaking of the Wheat Kings, the 2005-06 edition bring the curtain up on the second half of the regular season tonight at the Keystone Centre as the Regina Pats pay a visit. Brandon is currently tied with Prince ALbert for the fourth and final playoff spot in the WHL's Eastern Division.

Puck drop Tuesday is 7:00 p.m. The Keystone Centre box office will open at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2005


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