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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Trim Pre-Season Roster

August 30, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings trimmed their pre-season roster to 34 players Sunday night following the Western Hockey League club's annual Intrasquad Game at Westman Communications Group Place. Following a 4-1 victory by Team Black over Team White, Wheat Kings' general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon released nine players including two 15-year old prospects that are unable to play in the WHL this season.

Among the players let go were six forwards and three defencemen.

Among the blueliners was 15-year old Eric Roy, the club's first round pick and 18th overall selection in this year's WHL Bantam Draft. Joining him were 15-year old left-winger Tyrel Seaman, five 16-year olds - defencemen Jordan Fransoo, Rene Hunter and forwards Jens Meilleur, Austin Lewis and Jeff Olson - as well as 18-year olds Dylan Kelly and Kjell Reid.

As a result of Sunday night's moves, the Wheat Kings have four goalkeepers, ten defencemen and 20 forwards. Of those, eighteen are WHL veterans and four - Del Cowan, Aaron Lewadniuk, Matt Calvert and Jay Fehr are overage players. WHL clubs are permitted to carry three 20-year old players.

Fehr is one of two players currently on the sidelines as he is nursing a leg injury. The other is Edmonton Oilers' draft pick Toni Rajala, the club's number one pick in June's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. The Finnish born right-winger is still back home but hopes to receive medical clearance to travel to Oilers' Rookie Camp later this week.

Among those on the club's pre-season roster are a league high eighteen Manitobans, eleven from Alberta, two from Saskatchewan, rookie Brendan Rouse from B.C. and Swedish defenceman Alexander Urbom.

In addition to Rajala, the Wheat Kings will soon lose eight others to National Hockey League camps in September. They include Matt Calvert (Columbus), Jordan Hale (Ottawa), Colby Robak (Florida), Brodie Melnychuk (San Jose), Jay Fehr (Minnesota), Urbom (New Jersey), Scott Glennie (Dallas) and Brayden Schenn (Los Angeles).

Schenn and Glennie became the first two Wheat Kings to ever go in the top ten of any NHL Entry Draft when they were selected fifth and eighth overall in June.

The Wheat Kings will now begin preparations for their pre-season opener scheduled for this Friday night against the visiting Regina Pats. Brandon kicks off its regular season schedule on Friday, September 18th in Prince Albert against the Raiders.

In Sunday afternoon's Intrasquad game, the line of Calvert, Glennie and Lewadniuk teamed up for 7 points to lead Team Black. Lewadniuk led the way with two goals, Calvert had a goal and an assist while Glennie chipped in with three assists.

Del Cowan also scored for the winners while Schenn replied for the Whites, who were outshot 31-30.

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