WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Pink the Rink Plans Unveiled

Published on February 9, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - The Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings have unveiled plans for their annual "Pink the Rink" Night at Westman Communications Group Place.

The club's third annual cancer fundraising event will be held on Friday, February 19th when the Wheat Kings play host to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Supporter by 94.7 Star FM and 880 CKLQ, the Wheat Kings "Pink the Rink" game will help raise awareness about cancers affecting women and support the fight against all cancers throughout Manitoba.

During the game, which will be a repeat of last year's opening round playoff series, the Wheat King players will wear one of a kind, special edition theme jerseys, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Unlike last year's black-based jerseys, the primary colour of the 2016 sweaters will again be pink, with black trim and for the first time wheat sheaves - similar to those that adorned the popular Brandon jerseys a decade ago - running down both sleeves. The main crest is based on the hockey club's logo that was used in the seventies and rebranded with the traditional pink ribbon.

Meanwhile, the team's existing crown logo will serve as the jersey's shoulder patches.

In addition to the special Wheat Kings' logo, the jersey trim along the waist will feature the names of season ticket holders, partners, friends and family, who have been lost to this terrible disease.

Among the names recognized on this year's pink jersey will be former Brandon coach Dunc McCallum, who led Brandon to its first ever WHL Championship in 1979. The '78-79 Wheat Kings established a Canadian Hockey League record that season by compiling a brilliant 58-5-9 record and came within a goal of capturing the Memorial Cup in Montreal, losing 2-1 in overtime to the Ontario Hockey League Champion Peterborough Petes.

Others to be featured include Onanole's Darren Gusdal, who scored eleven goals and 24 points on that '78-79 Championship club, former Athletic Trainer Rob Stouffer as well as longtime off-ice official Rick Potter.

The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off during a silent auction throughout the game against Edmonton, as well as two radio auctions over the next week. The first one will be held during CKLQ's play by play broadcast from Regina this Saturday while another will be up for bids next week on 94.7 Star FM.

Western Manitoba hockey fans will also have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets (#LGA-2195-RF) to win one of the jerseys. Tickets are three for $10 and are currently being sold at the Canadian Cancer Society office as well as Tuesday night's game between the Wheat Kings and Prince Albert Raiders. As well, special edition pink T-shirts for $20 will be available Tuesday night - both on the concourse next to Fan Services - and at the Wheat Kings' Team Store. The jersey raffle winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 24th.

"The Wheat Kings are number one in the Eastern Division and number one in this Cancer fight," says Mark MacDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba). "We hope Brandon goes pink next Friday in order to recognize the impact that cancer has had on all Manitobans."

"Pink the Rink is an incredible example of how a community can get involved and support cancer patients in the right of their lives," he went on to say.

Anyone wanting to place a bid on a jersey, or those wishing to place a "reserved bid" for any of the game worn jerseys, are asked to contact the Canadian Cancer Society Brandon office at (204) 571-2800 or Toll Free 1-888-857-6658 or at anoraddin@mb.cancer.ca

Out of town bids will not be accepted by phone during the game, so those interested parties are encouraged to get in touch with the Canadian Cancer Society in advance in order to leave a "reserved bid".

Over $30,000 was generated during last year's "Pink the Rink" game and earlier this season, close to $15,000 was raised for the Brandon & District United Way in the second annual Military Theme Jersey Night.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY: The Canadian Cancer Society fights cancer by doing everything we can to prevent cancer, save lives and support people living with cancer. Join the fight! Go to fightback.ca to find out how you can help. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website at cancer.ca or call our Toll Free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2016


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