WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Name Ritchie Assistant

Published on July 10, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba --The WHL club has announced that Darren Ritchie has been signed for the coming season, replacing Brad Wells. A former Wheat King all star, Ritchie served as an assistant coach with the Brandon AAA Midgets in 2006-07.

A Winnipeg product, the 33-year old Ritchie played four seasons in Brandon - from 1991-95 and was a member of the Wheat King club that participated in the '95 Memorial Cup Championship in Kamloops, B.C.

During his WHL career, Ritchie scored 152 goals (7th most in franchise history) and 278 points in 232 games. His best year came in '94-95 when he scored 62 goals and 114 points in 69 games and was named to the Eastern Conference First All Star Team. As well, he was chosen winner of the Brad Horning Memorial Trophy that goes to the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Following his successful major junior career, he spent nine seasons playing professional hockey in both North America and Europe. In addition to stops in both Germany and Italy, Ritchie played in the American, the East Coast and the Western Professional Hockey Leagues.

This past season, Ritchie was instrumental in helping to lead the midget Wheat Kings to their third provincial title in the past five seasons.

Ritchie, whose appointment takes effect immediately, joins former teammate Dwayne Gylywoychuk as McCrimmon's assistant coaches for the coming season. Gylywoychuk has been an assistant in Brandon for the past four seasons.

"We anticipate Darren will make a real positive contribution to our organization. He is an alumnus, that has great experience as a player, and now more recently as a coach. We are excited to add him to the fold," said general manager / coach Kelly McCrimmon.

A former head coach of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Neepawa Natives, Wells spent seven seasons with the Wheat Kings, working under McCrimmon, Bob Lowes, Dean Clark and Mike Kelly.

"We appreciate all that Brad has done for us during his time in our organization. He has been very loyal, worked very hard, and we wish him well."

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Western Hockey League Stories from July 10, 2007


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