OMG HOCKEY STORY OF THE MONTH
THE WHEAT KINGS ’ LUCKY 13
BY SCOTT TAYLOR Photos by Jeff Miller , James Carey Lauder and Bruce Fedyck
Later in this issue of Game On , Manitoba ’ s Hockey Magazine , you ’ ll read about goaltender Dylan Myskiw , a Winnipegger who is just one of 13 Manitobans who grace the roster of our province ’ s only Western Hockey League team .
The WHL is loaded with Manitoba players . For instance , the Kootenay Ice , a team owned by Winnipeg ’ s Greg Fettes , managed by Winnipeg ’ s Matt Cockell and coach by Winnipeg ’ s James Patrick also has eight Manitobans on its roster – Cole Muir ( Vista ), Colton Veloso ( Winnipeg ), Vince Loschiavo ( Winnipeg ), Michael King ( Winnipeg ), Dallas draft pick Brett Davis ( Oakbank ), Sebastien Streu ( Belmont ), Zach Patrick ( Winnipeg ), Sam Huston ( Brandon ) and goalie Duncan McGovern ( Winnipeg ).
The red-hot Moose Jaw Warriors have six Manitobans – Brett Howden ( Oakbank ), Tate Popple ( Brandon ), Tristan Langan ( Swan River ), Jett Woo ( Winnipeg ), Josh Brook ( Roblin ) and Daemon Hunt ( Brandon ). The Regina Pats , coached by Oak River ’ s John Paddock , has seven Manitobans on its roster – Duncan Pierce ( Winnipeg ), Koby Morrisseau ( Grandview ), Nick Henry ( Portage la Prairie ), Marco Creta ( Oak Bluff ), Liam Schioler ( Winnipeg ) and both goaltenders , Tyler Brown ( Winnipeg ) and Max Paddock ( Brandon ). The Everett Silvertips have four – Brandson Hein ( Winnipeg ), Reece Vitelli ( Winnipeg ), Connor Dewar ( The Pas ) and Montana Onyebuchi ( Dugald ).
Then , of course , there are WHL stars such as Portland ’ s
Cody Glass from Winnipeg , Prince Albert ’ s Jordy Stallard from Brandon , Tri-City ’ s Morgan Geekie ( Strathclair ) and Portland goaltender Cole Kehler ( Altona ).
However , the Wheat Kings are a team that could barely exist and certainly wouldn ’ t compete with more than half of its roster from Manitoba .
“ It ’ s something that was started by Kelly ( owner McCrimmon ) and we ’ ve just kept the tradition alive ,” said Wheat Kings head coach David Anning , now in his second year at the helm . “ Obviously it ’ s not the be-all and end-all , but a lot of our guys have played together in the past and it ’ s nice to have that chemistry and relationship . Our group as a whole is a tight-knit group . Guys have really bought into a team mentality .”
So here ’ s the list – the forwards are Jonny Hooker ( Winnipeg ), Caiden Daley ( Winnipeg ), Stelio Mattheos ( Winnipeg ), Ty Lewis ( Brandon ), Rylan Bettens ( Winnipeg ), Tanner Kaspick ( Brandon ), Marcus Sekundiak ( Oak Bluff ), Connor Gutenberg ( Brandon ), and Linden McCorrister ( Peguis ). On defense , there is Garrett Sambrook ( Medora ), Zach Wytinck ( Glenboro ) and James Shearer ( Brandon ). And in goal , Dylan Myskiw ( Winnipeg ).
That ’ s right . There are 13 Manitobans on this year ’ s edition of the WHL ’ s Brandon Wheat Kings . We ’ ll see how lucky that number will be come playoff time . But for now , just rest secure in the knowledge that Manitoba ’ s best junior hockey team is loaded with Manitoba ’ s best players .
Top left to right ; Zach Wytinck , Linden McCorrister , Ty Lewis , James Shearer , Stelio Mattheos , Connor Gutenberg
6 | GAME ON | DECEMBER 2017