WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings release defencemen

Published on September 20, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - The Wheat Kings have reduced their pre-season roster to twenty-seven players with the release of two defenceman on Monday morning.

Let go were 18-year old Tyler Harder and 17-year old Beau Prokopetz. Harder has been assigned to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Dauphin Kings while Prokopetz is on his way back to the Winnipeg South Blues.

A 6'1" 200 lb. Steinbach native, Harder accumulated thirteen minutes in penalties in four pre-season games this year while Prokopetz, a 5'9" 190 lb. Winnipeg product was held without a point and had one minor penalty in three exhibition games.

Monday's moves leave the Wheat Kings with two goalkeepers, sixteen forwards and nine defenceman including three 20-year olds - Andre Blanchette, Tyler Boldt and Steven Later.

Boldt is one of several Wheat Kings still nursing various bumps and bruises as the Western Hockey League club continues preparations for this weekend's regular season opener against Regina. The former Kamloops Blazer has been hampered by a sore foot after blocking a shot in the club's Intrasquad game earlier this month.

Jamison Orr (shoulder), Ryan Reaves (groin) and Mike Cann (groin) are all listed as day to day and could be ready by the weekend.

As well, 18-year old left-winger Mark Derlago will be lost for the entire season after sustaining a serious neck injury during Saturday night's 5-4 pre-season loss to the visiting Regina Pats. Although the former AAA midget Wheat King fractured the second vertebrae, he will not require surgery and should be returned to Brandon later this week from Heath Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

A nephew of former Wheat King Bill Derlago, Mark was Brandon's CKX Rookie of the Year Trophy winner last season, after scoring eight goals nd 28 points in 65 games.

Brandon kicks off the regular season this coming weekend with a home and home series with the Pats, beginning Friday night at the Keystone Centre.

Tickets to the Coca Cola Home Opener are on sale now at the box office, by phone at 726-3555 or on line at ticketmaster.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2004


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