WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Face Big Test Friday

Published on December 5, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - The Wheat Kings 4-game Western Hockey League home stand continues Friday night when the Kamloops Blazers pay their first visit to Brandon in two years.

The Wheat Kings, who will host Kelowna on Tuesday and Moose Jaw next Wednesday to close out their pre-Christmas home schedule, are coming off this week's come from behind win over the visiting Swift Current Broncos and have managed to collect a point in three of their last four home games.

While Brandon has enjoyed reasonable success against the Blazers in recent years, having compiled a 4-1-0-0 record, Kamloops invades Westoba Place as the B.C. Division's top team with an impressive 17-9-0-1 record.

The fact that the Blazers sit atop the division shouldn't surprise many.

Under new head coach Shaun Clouston, Kamloops boasts one of the most impressive forward groups in the league. Entering play this weekend, the Blazers have four players with over 30 points, led by Connor Zary's nineteen goals and 39 points. The others currently on pace for big years include Zane Franklin (16-22-38), Ryan Hughes (10-23-33) and Orrin Centazzo (14-17-31).

The Kamloops blueline is led by Tampa Bay draft pick Quinn Schmiemann, the younger brother of Brandon's Dom. In 26 games this season, he has two goals, 13 points and is among the club leaders with a plus 8 rating.

In goal, Dylan Garand was thrust into the spotlight last year when veteran Dylan Ferguson went down with an injury and he was nothing short of incredible, posting a 5-0-1-0 record, a 1.63 goals against average, a .939 save percentage and one shutout.

This season, he seems to have picked up where he left off. In 24 appearances, he has compiled a 15-8-0-1 record, a 2.26 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.

"He gained some really valuable experience and then this summer representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which was great for him," Kamloops general manager Matt Bardsley. "I know he was really looking forward to this season."

As for the Wheat Kings, they expect to have a new player in their lineup Friday night, following the acquisition of 18-year old local product Rylan Thiessen from the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Thiessen, who had three assists in 22 games for the 'Canes this season, admits the trade came as a bit of a surprise but he's excited about coming home.

"There were mixed emotions to start," Thiessen told Perry Bergson of the Brandon Sun. "Obviously when you first hear the news it's disappointing. But overall, I'm excited to come home and play in front of my hometown. It will be good."

Wheat Kings general manager Darren Ritchie watched Thiessen with Brandon's U18 Wheat Kings last season, where he scored 12 goals and added 18 assists in 30 games.

"I felt Rylan was getting better and better all last year," Ritchie said. "I watched his work and he improved immensely. Last year he was very important to the U18 team that won the championship, and then was playoff MVP. He would dominate games. He's going to come here and work hard and be part of our group. We look forward to working with him."

In Brandon, Rylan joins a team with a number of familiar faces. He has played with current Wheat Kings Nolan Ritchie, Lynden McCallum, Jonny Lambos and is good friends with Chad Nychuk. He also knows the other Brandon players, team captain Connor Gutenberg and Ty Thorpe.

In addition to Thiessen's possible debut, forward Riley Ginnell gets the opportunity to face off against the team that traded him to Brandon in September. His arriving from Kamloops, he has two goals and six penalty minutes in 13 games.

Friday night's game is a presentation of Princess Auto and the first 3,000 fans through the doors will receive a special Wheat Kings' toque - just in time for the holidays and expected colder weather.

Tickets to the game are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

About Princess Auto: Princess Auto is a family-owned, Canadian company employing over 2,500 Team Members, with our Home Office in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We serve our customers through 46 stores coast-to-coast, a National Call Centre, and our online store.

We serve the home mechanic, the repairperson, the trade professional, the inventor.. basically, the "hands-on" type who likes to figure things out for themselves. We exist because of our customer. We aim to provide the tools and equipment they need and offer an outstanding shopping experience backed by our Princess Auto Guarantee: "No sale is final until you're satisfied". That means we will gladly repair, replace, or refund any product to your satisfaction. We mean it.

For more information about the company visit www.princessauto.com. Join us on Twitter @princessauto or Facebook www.facebook.com/princessauto

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2019


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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