MTS Centre to host Wheat Kings

June 8, 2004 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Brandon, Manitoba - The Brandon Wheat Kings, in conjunction with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre, are excited to announce plans to host four Western Hockey League regular season games during the 2004-2005 campaign at the new MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

The four games, to be played during the second half of the regular season, will be mid-week contests and will give the Wheat Kings and the WHL the opportunity to showcase Major Junior hockey to hockey fans across the province.

An agreement to bring the games to the new MTS Centre, which is expected to open this November, was reached Monday between the Wheat Kings, the Moose and Kevin Donnelly, Senior Vice President of Event Management and Business Operations for the new arena.

"There are a number of reasons behind this announcement," says Wheat Kings' general manager and owner Kelly McCrimmon. "The WHL regular season has been extended by one week for each of the next three seasons, making a conflict for playoff dates with the Winter Fair unavoidable. This will allow our players to gain some familiarity with the MTS Centre prior to the playoffs. Secondly, our attendance fell by nearly 700 people a night this past season and for our club to remain viable we must generate more revenue. Midweek games in Brandon generate very little demand and the hope is this will improve our position."

"We feel this move will have very little impact on Wheat King fans," McCrimmon went on to say. "We have protected the weekend dates for Brandon fans which are far more popular. I am sure this announcement will be controversial to some, however it is our way of being proactive trying to keep Major Junior Hockey viable in Brandon."

Ticket prices and dates for the four Winnipeg home games will be confirmed later this month when the WHL releases its tentative schedule.

The Wheat Kings last played a regular season game in Winnipeg since November 1994 when Brandon beat the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 7-1 before 7,500 fans at the Winnipeg Arena. Over seven thousand fans turned out to the Arena last March to see the Wheat Kings defeat Prince Albert in game six of their best of seven opening round playoff series.

In other Wheat King news, the team has unveiled it's 2004-2005 ticket prices and not only will western Manitoba hockey fnas save a significant amount off the box office price, they will have a chance to win an all expense paid trip to the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

To qualify for the ten-day event, which is scheduled to begin on Christmas Day, fans will have to pay their ticket in full by September 15th. The draw will be made during the club's annual Open House at the Keystone Centre the following day.

Following are this year's Season Ticket Prices;

Adults $329 plus GST
Seniors (60 plus) $269
Gen X $269
Youth $199
Children $129
BYHA $ 80

Regular admission prices will be as follows;

Adults $14
Seniors / Gen X $11
Youth $ 9
Children $ 6

This marks the first increase in ticket prices in three years. Youth and children prices remain among the lowest in the WHL while for the first time ever, the hockey club will make senior walk-up tickets available at the box office while lowering the sernior age from 65 to 60.

In addition to a 32-game Season Ticket package, the hockey club will again be offering the popular 36-game Exchange Coupon Flex Packs for $399 as well as the 18-game Fantastic Friday Mini-Packs that include tickets to all Friday night home games (plus selected weekend dates) during the regular season.

Adults $219 plus GST
Seniors / Gen X $179
Youth $129
Children $ 99

To assist people who are budget driven, the team is offering a Payment Plan, designed to spread out their season ticket payments to December 31st, 2004. The Wheat Kings sold over 1,500 ticket packages this past season.

Western Hockey League Stories from June 8, 2004

• Tigers Extend Desjardins' Contract - Medicine Hat Tigers
• MTS Centre to host Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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