WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Set for Big Weekend

Published on January 14, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - The Brandon Wheat Kings will face a stiff test Friday night when they look to extend a season high home ice win streak to seven games against the MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Red Deer Rebels.

The Rebels, who are battling Lethbridge for top spot in the Eastern Conference, are currently 29-13-1-1 and sit four points up on the Wheat Kings, who sit on top of the Eastern Division with a record of 26-12-2-2.

While the Wheat Kings landed 17-year forward Jaeger White at Sunday's WHL Trade Deadline, the Rebels were very busy landing three of the biggest names that changed teams. In addition to adding 40-goal scorer Jake DeBrusk from the Swift Current Broncos, the Rebels acquired overage Adam Helewka from the Spokane Chiefs and 20-year old Luke Philp from the Kootenay Ice. While Helewka is coming off a 44-goal season with Spokane, Philp lit the lamp thirty times last season with the Ice.

To get Helewka they had to give up their team captain Wyatt Johnson, highly thought of prospect Eli Zummack as well as a 2016 second-round draft pick. To get Philp, who hasn't played a game since November, the Rebels gave up three players - Presten Kopeck, Ryan Pouliot, Tanner Sidaway - along with a second and third-round draft pick. As for DeBrusk, the the cost was 18-year old Lane Pederson, a first and third round bantam draft picks.

In addition to DeBrusk, Helewko and Philp, Red Deer's lineup features Russian import Ivan Nilolishin, Winnipeg Jets' prospect Michael Spacek and Colorado Avalanche first round selection Conner Bleackley.

Brandon's newest acquisition meanwhile had four goals and 16 points in 40 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes as a 16-year old rookie in 2014-2015, a total that included nine points in the last 13 games he played before missing the last two months of the season with an upper body injury.

The 5'10" 172 lb. White is expected to make his Brandon debut this weekend.

The Wheat Kings, who host Brayden Point and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday night, currently sit two points up on the second place Prince Albert Raiders in the Eastern Division.

The Warriors begin the weekend with a record of 22-15-5-1 and sit four back of Prince Albert and six behind Brandon making Saturday's game a big game for both clubs.

Moose Jaw is led by Brayden Point, who captained the National Team at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship in Finland.

Point is enjoying an outstanding season, averaging more than two points per game with nineteen goals and 47 points.

Tickets to both weekend games - presented by Roy Johnston TDS and the Victoria Inn - are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

One lucky ticket holder attending Saturday's game against the Warriors will win a Victoria Inn prize package valued at over $600. The grand prize includes Wheat King tickets, jerseys and hotel accommodation.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2016


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