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