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Photos by Jeff Miller , Bruce Fedyck , Graig Abel
BRANDON ’ S BRYKALIUK PLAYING IN CHINA
Former two-time captain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs , Ashleigh Brykaliuk of Brandon , will play the 2017-18 season with the Vanke Rays ( Shenzhen , China ).
A 2016 draft pick ( No . 12 overall ) by the Boston Pride of the National Women ’ s Hockey League , Brykaliuk has decided to play for the new Chinese team in the Canadian Women ’ s Hockey League .
The club is based out of Shenzen , China and will play weekend series against the other CWHL teams . Brykaliuk was the expansion team ’ s sixth overall draft choice out of UMD .
In her four years with the Bulldogs , Brykaliuk scored 62 goals and added 83 assists . Last year , she led UMD to the NCAA Division I quarterfinals .
Ashleigh Brykaliuk
FORMER MMJHL VICS ’ STAR JAYSON NICKOL WINS INVICTUS GAMES BRONZE
Jayson Nickol , a member of the St . Vital Victorias Hall of Fame , returned to Winnipeg earlier this fall to a hero ’ s welcome . Nickol , who grew up playing minor hockey at Dakota Community Centre and went to a solid career with the Vics , won a bronze medal in golf at the 2018 Invictus Games .
“ To win a medal and then to be able to bring it home to Winnipeg is unreal ,” Nickol told CBC television . “ It was a fight right down to the end .”
Nickol , now 33 , fired a 76 to tie for bronze at the Games in Toronto . He was badly injured in a firefight with the Taliban in 2008 in Afghanistan and said he was thrilled to take part in Prince Harry ’ s World Games for Injured Service members .
He was a great soldier and a darn good hockey player . He played at Dakota until he was 15 , made the jump to the Warriors Triple A Midget team and joined the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League ’ s Vics in 2002 . He was a four-year star defensive forward for the Vics who was always the one asked to check the opposition ’ s top line . He was fast and dedicated and he played without shoulder pads . He was part of the 2003-04 Jack McKenzie Trophy-winning championship Vics team of 2003-04 .
“ He was a leader , team player , respectful , respected , winner ,” said his coach . Paul Johnson at the induction ceremony in 2013 . “ He was a player every team wants and needs . A tireless worker wrapped within the heart of a lion . The first guy in line for every drill and the first to stand up for a team mate . An integral component of our ‘ band-of-brothers ’, championship core .”
138 | GAME ON | NOVEMBER 2017