
Wheat Kings to Help 50th TOC Official Opening
February 7, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, MB. - Western Manitoba hockey fans are invited out to what should be an exciting night Friday at Westoba Place when the Brandon Wheat Kings play host to the Swift Current Broncos.
Not only will the first 2,500 fans receive a complete set of 2018-19 player cards, courtesy of Guild Insurance/ HMS Insurance, the Wheat Kings will help to officially kick off the 2019 A & W Tournament of Champions in Brandon.
2019 marks a milestone for the event, as the 50th anniversary edition begins Thursday at both the Keystone Centre and Canada Games Sportsplex.
The history of the TOC goes back to 1970, when the Brandon Council 1435 Knights of Columbus launched a 24-team minor hockey tournament to help celebrate Manitoba's 100th birthday. The inaugural event was played in both Brandon and at CFB Shilo, and featured six future NHLers in Glen Hanlon, Paul Baxter, Morris Lukowich, Dave Semenko, Rick St. Croix and Rick Blight.
The Tournament of Champions certainly grew over the next 49 years. The 2019 events will feature 70 teams in the Peewee A (12), Peewee AA (12) and Bantam AA (10) Divisions from February 7-10, and Bantam A (12), Atom A (12) and Atom AA (12) Divisions from February 15-17.
The responsibility of operating and organizing the tournament has also changed hands over the years, going from the Knights of Columbus to the City of Brandon in 1977, and from the City of Brandon to Hockey Brandon in 2001. Presently, a special committee separate from Hockey Brandon's Board of Directors looks after organizing and operating the Tournament of Champions.
In recognition of the tournament, there will be a special pre-game ceremonial opening face-off on Friday night, featuring honorary chairperson Glen Parker and Brandon born broadcaster Daren Millard. Millard is a four time TOC participant and was a member of the midget division champions in 1987.
Millard is in Brandon this weekend to not only attend the TOC festivities but to also serve as master of ceremonies at Thursday night's Sportsman's Dinner in the UCT Pavillion. That event is held annually to raise money for the hockey club's Scholarship Foundation.
Admission to this weekend's Tournament of Champions, which concludes next weekend, is free.
As for tickets to Friday night's Western Hockey League game are on sale at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2019
- Silvertips Host Medicine Hat, Portland - Everett Silvertips
- Cougars Moving Forward After Changes to Bench Staff - Prince George Cougars
- Rebels Star Hagel Closing in on Asham's Franchise Record for Assists - Red Deer Rebels
- Rockets Play Two this Weekend - Kelowna Rockets
- Raiders Going Retro in Calgary - Prince Albert Raiders
- Finale of Corral Series Features Salute to Calgary Wranglers - Calgary Hitmen
- Wheat Kings to Help 50th TOC Official Opening - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Cougars Announce Coaching Change - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars Rally to Capture a Point - Prince George Cougars
- ICE Drop 6-3 Decision to Tigers - Kootenay Ice
- Byram's Third OT Winner of the Season Lifts the G-Men over the Cougars - Vancouver Giants
- Blades Wallop Warriors Wednesday Night - Saskatoon Blades
- Royals Ground Thunderbirds - Victoria Royals
- Rockets' Rally Comes up Short - Kelowna Rockets
- Tigers Open Road Trip with 6-3 Victory - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Stotts Lefts Cowboys Late - Calgary Hitmen
- Royals Defeat T-Birds in Second of Back-To-Back Games - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Pats Fall in Thriller to Hitmen - Regina Pats
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.
Other Recent Brandon Wheat Kings Stories
- PWHL's McKercher Takes Reigns as Wheaties New Equipment Manager
- Wheat Kings Acquire Mistelbacher and Burzynski from Swift
- Wheat Kings' Season Ends in Game Five Loss in Lethbridge
- Johnson's Third Period Heroics Extend Wheat Kings' Season
- Wheat Kings Fall in Hard-Fought Game Three Heartbreaker

