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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Sportsman's Dinner Lineup Unveiled

January 27, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- One of the most beloved players in Toronto Maple Leafs' franchise history headlines the list of head table guests for the 2009 Brandon Wheat Kings' CKLQ Sportsman's Dinner, to be held on Thursday, February 12th in the Keystone Centre's UCT Pavillion.

A former captain of the Leafs, Wendell Clark's rambunctious style of play endeared him to the fans during his thirteen year tenure with the National Hockey League club. His return to Toronto during his final season of play brought full-circle a career that began in 1985 when he was chosen first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

In 793 career NHL games, Clark scored 330 goals, 564 points and accumulated 1,690 penalty minutes. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and was second in voting for the Calder Trophy. The Kelvington, Saskatchewan product captained the Leafs from 1991 to 1994 and set career highs in goals (46), assists (30) and points (76) during the '93-94 campaign.

Clark now works as a Maple Leaf ambassador and spokesperson for a number of Canadian corporations.

Rounding out this year's lineup is former Wheat King Jeff Odgers, comedian Bruce Clark and Dick Jonckowski, who returns to serve as the dinner's Master of Ceremonies.

A native of Spy Hill, Saskatchewan, Odgers played four seasons with the Wheat Kings before signing with the NHL's San Jose Sharks as an undrafted free agent in 1990. A hard nosed competitor, Odgers went on to play for twelve seasons in the NHL, with stops in Colorado, Boston and Atlanta.

Odgers scored 92 goals and 181 points in 275 career games for the Wheat Kings. During his 12-year run in the NHL, he scored 75 goals and 145 points in 821 games. As well, he accumulated 2,364 penalty minutes.

After retiring from the game in 2003, Jeff spent several seasons working for the Thrashers' organization before moving back to Saskatchewan.

Bruce Clark returns to the Wheat Kings' Dinner for the first time in ten years. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Clark went looking for opportunities in California and decided to stay there. An avid hockey fan, Bruce keeps audiences guessing with his air of unpredictability and somewhat pseudo-hostile attack of his ever changing subject matter. In addition to headlining the top comedy clubs in the country, Clark has appeared in dozens of popular TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, VH-1's "Standup Spotlight" and Showtime's "Comedy Club Network". He is also a regular at both the Winnipeg and Montreal comedy festivals.

Jonckowski has been the public address announcer for the Minnesota Golden Gopher men's baseball and basketball teams for a number of years. Known as "The Polish Eagle", Dick has been a guest speaker and emcee at various events across North America since 1965.

Tickets to the 2009 Sportsman's Dinner, which is held annually to raise money for the Wheat Kings' Scholarship Foundation, are on sale now at the Wheat Kings' office or by calling 726-3535.

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