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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Primed and Ready

May 13, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB -- May 14, 2010 is a day the Brandon Wheat Kings have been looking forward to for the last year and a half.

Since being awarded the right to host the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup on October 15, 2008, the Brandon Wheat Kings have been busy preparing for the chance to host the best teams in Major Junior hockey and building a team that could capture the Canadian Hockey League's legendary championship trophy in front of a home crowd.

"It's starting to get pretty crazy around here," said Wheat Kings' co-captain Matt Calvert in the days leading up to the start of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament. "It's been close to two years since we found out we'd be hosting the tournament, and we've seen it all come together."

Calvert, a Brandon, MB, product, is one of 12 Manitobans on the Wheat Kings roster. Now a 20-year-old veteran, Calvert was so keen on being a part of the Wheat Kings' Memorial Cup run that he declined an offer to sign an NHL contract and turn pro in the Columbus Blue Jackets' system this season.

Having been one of the key performers for the Wheat Kings over the last three seasons, Calvert says it's been an experience to see just how well everything has come together and fallen into place for the team, the city of Brandon, and the organizers and volunteers who have worked so hard to make sure the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament is a success.

"Just the other day, we all walked through and checked out the whole event grounds - with the village, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and all the attractions - and you realize just how much work is put into this thing until you see it firsthand," said Calvert.

"I know the fans and the community are very excited about the next 10 days, and everyone's ready for the puck drop on Friday night," he said.

Being the host team for the tournament, expectations were sky-high for the Wheat Kings to not only build a competitive team, but one capable of being the CHL's best. With a core of talent that included Calvert, first-round NHL draft picks Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie, and NHL prospects Colby Robak, Alex Urbom and Travis Hamonic on the blue line, the Wheat Kings enjoyed a tremendous 2009-10 regular season in the WHL, winning the East Division and finishing second overall in the WHL standings.

Yet, the Wheat Kings fell short of their goal of getting to the Memorial Cup tournament through the 'front door' by winning the 2010 WHL Championship after getting eliminated by the eventual champion Calgary Hitmen in the Eastern Conference final. Still, that doesn't mean the Wheat Kings can be counted out for the Memorial Cup.

"Unfortunately, things didn't go our way in the WHL playoffs, and we were eliminated in the third round, but we know we have a second chance to win," said Robak, a Florida Panthers prospect who recently signed an NHL entry-level contract with the team.

"With our team, we know we can compete with every team in the tournament," he said. "Guys are rested and focused, we have an exciting and talented team, and we are ready to take advantage of the opportunity we have to compete in this tournament."

With the Hitmen having earned a berth in the tournament by virtue of winning the WHL Championship, the Wheat Kings know they will have a shot at redemption. Yet, they'll have to wait for the final day of round-robin action to get another crack at their WHL rival.

First, though, they'll have to face two unknown teams - the OHL Champion Windsor Spitfires and the QMJHL Champion Moncton Wildcats. Up first is a date with the powerful Spitfires, who also happen to be the defending Memorial Cup champions.

"All we know is that those two teams are champions in their leagues," said Robak regarding their competition. "The Spitfires are the defending champions, and there will be no easy opponents in this thing."

Calvert also knows what the Wheat Kings are up against. Yet, like the rest of his teammates, he has plenty of confidence that his squad boasts enough talent and determination to come out on top.

"We've been practicing hard for the last couple weeks, we've been getting ready for what's to come, and we're getting excited to get this thing going," said Calvert. "We know the Spitfires are a talented team and are the reigning champions, but we are going to go out there and play our style, stay focused and it'll be some good quality hockey."

The host Brandon Wheat Kings open the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup round-robin schedule versus the OHL and defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires on Friday, May 14th.

The WHL Champion Hitmen open their round-robin schedule on Saturday, May 15th, versus the Moncton Wildcats.

In other MasterCard Memorial Cup news, the Local Host Organizing Committee has announced that Individual tickets to all eight games (excluding the May 20th Tiebreaker) will go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 14th at 9 a.m.

Fans can order tickets by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca

The entire 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet.

For more on the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament, visit the Official Website .

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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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