The Brandon Wheat Kings have earned themselves an interesting place in Western Hockey League history. In addition to capturing three league championships and becoming one of the most successful teams in Major Junior hockey, the WHL club has featured several trips to the MasterCard Memorial Cup, employed some of junior hockey’s brightest stars and developed a loyal following among western Manitoba hockey fans.
A look back at the teams and players of Manitoba’s Major Junior franchise – from the year that they joined a fledgling Western Canada Hockey League in 1967 to the 2016 championship win over Seattle – are featured in a new book published this week entitled “Brandon Wheat Kings – The First 50 Years in the WHL.”
“This book is dedicated to the players, staff, fans and partners, who have helped make the Wheat Kings a Manitoba hockey tradition,” says the WHL club’s director of Business Operations and Sponsorship Rick Dillabough, who compiled information for the book. “While we may never see another team like the 1978-79 club, the Wheat Kings are not only regarded as a model WHL franchise but also one of the top producers of hockey talent each season for the NHL and Canada’s National Teams.”
The book, which highlights the club’s history, team and player photos and detailed stats, will go on sale later this week at the BWK Team Store located at the Keystone Centre as well as online at wheatkings.com.
A perfect gift for the hockey fan on your list, proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Wheat Kings’ Education Fund.
While there are plenty of facts, records and historical facts highlighted in the book, the photos – from team photos to action shots – give readers a better look at some of the organization’s top players throughout the years. From Ron Chipperfield, Brian Propp and Brad McCrimmon in the seventies to Ray Ferraro in the eighties, Marty Murray and Wade Redden in the nineties to the many stars since the turn of the century such as Eric Fehr, Brayden Schenn, Matt Calvert and Mark Stone.
Photos and a number of the historical material was provided by The Brandon Sun and Sales and Marketing Director Glen Parker says it feels good to have played a big role in this project that helped recognize the club’s 50th Anniversary.
“The Brandon Sun was excited to participate in this project,” says Parker. “We have enjoyed partnering with the Wheat King organization on many projects. The 50th Anniversary book is sure to be high up on all hockey fans’ wish list.”
Printing the 124-page softcover book this week has been the responsibility of Leech Printing and Company President Michael Leech says that the timing was perfect to provide such a valuable piece to western Manitoba hockey fans.
“It is with great pride that Leech Printing celebrates our 90th year in business with the Wheat Kings as they celebrate their 50th. Significant milestones!”
“We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Wheat Kings ownership and management groups for the entire fifty years, which is a special and unique distinction,” Leech went on to say. “Leech Printing Ltd. has been privileged to be a supplier and a part of the history of the Wheat Kings and are extremely honored to have produced this History book on behalf of Kelly McCrimmon, his family and the Wheat Kings, past and present.”
McCrimmon, who served as the club’s general manager for close to three decades before joining the National Hockey League’s Vegas Golden Knights last summer, provided the Preface for the book. He remains the WHL club’s Owner and Governor. Meanwhile the former play by play voice of the Wheat Kings, Bruce Luebke, contributed the book’s Foreword. Luebke served as CKLQ’s play by play announcer from 1993 – 2016.
While the book concentrates on the hockey club’s fifty years in the WHL, it does provide a look at the Early Days of the Wheat Kings as well as the team’s contribution to both the Hockey Hall of Fame as well as the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. There is also a section highlighting the many Wheat Kings that have represented their country at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
This book is the first historical look at the WHL franchise since local hockey historian Andy Gurba published “The History of the Wheat Kings”, which was published in 1988.
Limited copies of his book will be sold for $29.99 (includes all taxes).
*Information provided via Brandon Wheat Kings Press Release
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