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"Wheat Kings" redirects here. For The Tragically Hip song, see Fully Completely.
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Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon Wheat Kings logo.svg
City Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
League Western Hockey League
Conference Eastern
Division East
Founded 1936 (1936)
Home arena Westoba Place
Colours Gold, black, white
              
General manager Marty Murray
Head coach Marty Murray
Championships Ed Chynoweth Cup
3 (1979, 1996, 2016) Conference Championships
5 (1995–96, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2015–16)
Website
chl.ca/whl-wheatkings
Franchise history
1936–1938 Brandon Wheat Kings (MJHL)
1938–1940 Brandon Elks (MJHL)
1940–1967 Brandon Wheat Kings (MJHL)
1967–present Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

The Brandon Wheat Kings are a top junior ice hockey team from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. They started in 1936 and were a very successful junior team. For about 30 years, they mostly played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

In 1967, the Wheat Kings joined the Western Hockey League (WHL). Today, they play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. Their home games are held at Keystone Centre, also known as Westoba Place. The team holds the WHL record for the best regular season. This happened in the 1978–79 season, when they won 58 games and earned 125 points. That season, they also won their first of three league championships.

Team History

How the Wheat Kings Started

The Wheat Kings got their name from an older team, the Brandon Wheat City Hockey Club. That team played for the Stanley Cup in 1904. The Wheat Kings team was officially formed in 1936. They joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). For a short time in the late 1930s, they were called the Elks.

They played at the Wheat City Arena. The team won the Turnbull Cup eight times as Manitoba Junior Champions. In 1949, they reached the Memorial Cup finals. This was after winning the Abbott Cup as the Western Canadian junior champion. The 1949 Brandon Wheat Kings team was later added to the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

During the 1950s, the Wheat Kings left the MJHL for a while. They played in the Big Six Intermediate Hockey League. In 1964, they left the MJHL again. They spent two seasons playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. After one more season back in the MJHL, they joined the major junior Western Canada Junior Hockey League in 1967.

Joining the Western Hockey League

The Wheat Kings had a tough start in the new league. For their first nine seasons, they only had two winning records. They won just one playoff series during that time. In 1970, the team briefly moved to Manex Arena. Then, in 1973, they moved to the new Keystone Centre. That same year, they started a farm team in the MJHL called the Brandon Travellers. This lasted until 1980.

The Wheat Kings began a successful period in 1976. Players like Brian Propp, Brad McCrimmon, and Ray Allison led the team. They won three regular season titles in a row from 1976–77 to 1978–79. They reached the league finals twice. In 1979, they won their first championship. They beat the Portland Winter Hawks in 6 games.

The Wheat Kings went to the Memorial Cup for the first time since 1949. They lost in the final game. It was a 2–1 overtime defeat against the Peterborough Petes. This game is known as one of the best finals in the tournament's history. During that game, Brad McCrimmon played almost the entire time. He only left the ice for a short penalty. The 1978–79 Wheat Kings season set a WHL record with 125 points. After that season, ten players from the 1978–79 team were chosen in the 1979 National Hockey League draft. Four of them were picked in the first round.

This was a high point for the team. Over the next fourteen seasons, the Wheat Kings missed the playoffs eight times. They only won two playoff series. A bright spot was in the 1983–84 season. Ray Ferraro set a league record by scoring 108 goals.

In the late 1980s, Brad McCrimmon's brother, Kelly McCrimmon, became the team manager. Under his leadership, the Wheat Kings became strong again. They reached the finals three times between 1994–95 and 1997–98. Even though they lost the 1995 final, they still went to the Memorial Cup. This was because they lost to the host team, the Kamloops Blazers. At that tournament, Brandon lost the semi-final 2–1 to the Detroit Junior Red Wings.

Their best result came in 1995–96. The team was coached by Bob Lowes. Key players included Wade Redden and Peter Schaefer. They had their first 50-win season since 1979 and won the regular season title. The team then lost only three games in the playoffs. They won their second playoff championship. The Wheat Kings went to the Memorial Cup for the second year in a row. They lost in the semi-final again, 4–3 to Peterborough. During this time, the Wheat Kings were almost always in the playoffs. They only missed the postseason twice between 1993 and 2018.

Brandon was chosen to host the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament. This meant they would make their fifth appearance. Led by Matt Calvert, Brayden Schenn, and Toni Rajala, Brandon had another 50-win season. They reached the Eastern Conference final and the Memorial Cup final. In the final, the Wheat Kings lost to the Windsor Spitfires. Windsor won their second national title in a row.

Brandon returned to the Memorial Cup for a sixth time in 2016. This was after winning their third Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. However, the 2016 tournament was the first time the team did not reach at least the semi-final. They lost three games in a row. After that season, Kelly McCrimmon left. He was hired by the National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights. His departure marked the end of an important time for the team.

In the 2020–21 WHL season, games were played only within divisions. There were no playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brandon finished first in the East Division with an 18–4–2 record. In 2022, the team hired former player Marty Murray to be their new coach and manager.

Season Records

Calgary Hitmen vs Brandon Wheat Kings (460983579)
The Wheat Kings playing against the Calgary Hitmen in the 2007 WHL playoffs.
Westoba Credit Union Place
The Wheat Kings have played at Keystone Centre, now called Westoba Credit Union Place, since 1973.

The table below shows how the Brandon Wheat Kings have performed each season. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
1936–37 15 10 3 2 — 74 32 22 4th MJHL
1937–38 16 13 3 0 — 116 52 26 1st MJHL
1938–39 18 14 4 0 — 102 60 28 1st MJHL Won League
1939–40 24 10 10 4 — 99 95 24 4th MJHL
1940–45 Leave due to World War II
1945–46 10 7 2 1 — 102 35 15 2nd MJHL
1946–47 16 13 2 1 — 122 50 27 1st MJHL Won League
1947–48 24 15 9 0 — 115 99 30 2nd MJHL
1948–49 30 27 3 0 — 172 72 54 1st MJHL Won League, Won Abbott Cup
Lost Memorial Cup final
1949–50 36 27 9 0 — 181 113 54 1st MJHL Won League
1950–51 36 26 8 2 — 231 123 54 1st MJHL
1951–52 36 21 14 1 — 160 144 43 2nd MJHL
1952–53 36 24 11 1 — 164 123 49 1st MJHL
1953–54 36 13 22 1 — 132 151 27 2nd MJHL
1954–58 Granted Leave
1958–59 30 15 14 1 — 152 122 31 3rd MJHL
1959–60 32 23 6 3 — 185 79 49 1st MJHL Won League
1960–61 32 24 8 0 — 219 136 48 1st MJHL
1961–62 40 26 12 2 — 238 137 54 1st MJHL Won League
1962–63 39 32 7 0 — 206 124 64 1st MJHL Won League
1963–64 30 27 1 2 — 209 67 56 1st MJHL Won League
Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
1964–65 56 30 21 5 — 230 216 65 3rd SJHL
1965–66 60 32 21 7 — 283 262 71 3rd SJHL
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
1966–67 57 47 9 1 — 416 178 95 2nd MJHL Lost Final
Western Hockey League
1967–68 60 21 33 6 — 238 279 48 8th Overall Lost quarterfinal
1968–69 60 18 40 2 — 224 350 38 4th East Lost quarterfinal
1969–70 60 23 34 3 — 234 272 49 4th East Lost quarterfinal
1970–71 66 20 46 0 — 247 387 40 5th East Did not qualify
1971–72 68 35 33 0 — 338 331 70 3rd East Lost semifinal
1972–73 68 29 30 9 — 307 304 67 4th East Lost quarterfinal
1973–74 68 27 37 4 — 305 348 58 5th East Did not qualify
1974–75 70 24 35 11 — 276 320 59 4th East Lost quarterfinal
1975–76 72 34 30 8 — 341 303 76 2nd East Lost quarterfinal
1976–77 72 54 10 8 — 447 242 116 1st East Lost final
1977–78 72 46 12 14 — 424 299 106 1st East Eliminated in divisional semifinal
1978–79 72 58 5 9 — 491 230 125 1st East Won championship
Lost Memorial Cup final
1979–80 72 33 37 2 — 319 343 68 5th East Eliminated in East Division round robin
1980–81 72 29 40 3 — 342 352 61 6th East Lost East Division quarterfinal
1981–82 72 34 38 0 — 372 413 68 5th East Lost East Division quarterfinal
1982–83 72 21 51 0 — 327 460 42 7th East Did not qualify
1983–84 72 44 26 2 — 463 246 90 3rd East Lost East Division semifinal
1984–85 72 17 54 1 — 264 481 35 8th East Did not qualify
1985–86 72 24 46 2 — 324 438 50 7th East Did not qualify
1986–87 72 19 49 4 — 282 443 42 8th East Did not qualify
1987–88 72 26 43 3 — 348 371 55 6th East Lost East Division quarterfinal
1988–89 72 25 43 4 — 286 331 54 7th East Did not qualify
1989–90 72 28 38 6 — 276 325 62 7th East Did not qualify
1990–91 72 19 51 2 — 265 380 40 8th East Did not qualify
1991–92 72 11 55 6 — 246 356 28 8th East Did not qualify
1992–93 72 43 25 4 — 347 258 90 2nd East Lost East Division quarterfinal
1993–94 72 42 25 5 — 291 251 89 2nd East Lost East Division final
1994–95 72 45 22 5 — 315 235 95 1st East Lost final
1995–96 72 52 19 1 — 369 231 105 1st East Won championship
1996–97 72 47 24 1 — 339 208 95 1st East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
1997–98 72 45 21 6 — 322 235 96 3rd East Lost final
1998–99 72 39 29 4 — 293 267 82 2nd East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
1999–2000 72 25 38 4 5 212 260 59 6th East Did not qualify
2000–01 72 32 32 5 3 244 242 72 4th East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2001–02 72 43 23 4 2 261 210 92 1st East Lost Eastern Conference final
2002–03 72 43 17 9 3 258 187 98 1st East Lost Eastern Conference final
2003–04 72 28 32 9 3 230 224 68 3rd East Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
2004–05 72 45 21 5 1 255 199 96 1st East Lost final
Season GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
2005–06 72 30 32 6 4 218 259 70 4th East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2006–07 72 41 20 3 8 258 214 94 1st East Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
2007–08 72 42 24 3 3 253 209 90 2nd East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2008–09 72 48 19 3 2 295 220 101 2nd East Lost Eastern Conference final
2009–10 72 50 18 1 3 321 204 104 1st East Lost Eastern Conference final
Lost Memorial Cup final
2010–11 72 32 31 1 8 281 275 73 3rd East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2011–12 72 39 28 1 4 273 257 83 3rd East Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
2012–13 72 24 40 4 4 189 284 56 6th East Did not qualify
2013–14 72 34 29 6 3 271 269 77 3rd East Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
2014–15 72 53 11 4 4 340 219 114 1st East Lost final
2015–16 72 48 18 4 2 319 197 102 1st East Won championship
2016–17 72 31 31 7 3 225 247 72 4th East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2017–18 72 40 27 3 2 272 255 85 4th East Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
2018–19 68 31 29 4 4 230 243 70 4th East Did not qualify
2019–20 63 35 22 4 2 227 173 76 3rd East Season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 24 18 4 2 0 104 61 38 1st East No playoffs held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22 68 35 28 3 2 218 242 75 4th East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2022–23 68 26 33 8 1 212 242 61 5th East Did not qualify
2023–24 68 33 28 6 1 225 244 73 3rd East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
2024–25 68 38 23 4 3 255 213 83 2nd East Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal

Championship Wins

The Brandon Wheat Kings have won many championships over the years:

  • Abbott Cup: 1949
  • Turnbull Cup (8 times): 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964
  • Ed Chynoweth Cup (3 times): 1978–79, 1995–96, 2015–16
  • Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (5 times): 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1995–96, 2014–15
  • Conference Championship (5 times): 1995–96, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Regular season Division Championship (14 times): 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2020–21

WHL Championship Games

Memorial Cup Championship Games

  • 1949: Lost, 3–4–1 vs Montreal Royals
  • 1979: Lost, 1–2 (OT) vs Peterborough Petes
  • 2010: Lost, 1–9 vs Windsor Spitfires

Famous Players

Players Who Played in the NHL

Many players from the Brandon Wheat Kings went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Here are some of them:

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Wheat Kings honored Brad McCrimmon by retiring his jersey number. This means no other player on the team will wear that number. His number was retired after he passed away in a plane crash in 2011.

# Player
4 Brad McCrimmon

Team Records

These tables show some of the best records for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Team records for a single season
Statistic Total Season
Most points 125 1978–79
Most wins 58 1978–79
Most goals for 491 1978–79
Fewest goals for 212 1999–00
Fewest goals against 187 2002–03
Most goals against 481 1984–85
Individual player records for a single season
Statistic Player Total Season
Most goals Ray Ferraro 108 1983–84
Most assists Cam Plante 118 1983–84
Most points Brian Propp 194 1978–79
Most points, defenceman Cam Plante 140 1983–84
Most points, rookie Brian Propp 135 1976–77
Best GAA (goalie) Tyler Plante 2.58 2004–05
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played
Career records
Statistic Player Total Career
Most goals Ron Chipperfield 261 1970–1974
Most assists Brian Propp 292 1976–1979
Most points Brian Propp 511 1976–1979
Most penalty minutes Randy Ponte 1,234 1998–2002
Most games played Dwayne Gylywoychuk 323 1989–1994
Most games played (goalie) Jordan Papirny 188 2013–2017
Most saves (goalie) Glen Hanlon 5,232 1974–1977
Brandon Wheat Kings Jersey front
A Wheat Kings jersey from around 2005.

Awards Won by Players and Coaches

Many players and coaches from the Brandon Wheat Kings have won special awards.

Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL top scorer)

  • Ron Chipperfield: 1973–74
  • Bill Derlago: 1976–77
  • Brian Propp: 1977–78
  • Brian Propp: 1978–79
  • Ray Ferraro: 1983–84
  • Eric Fehr: 2004–05

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year)

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year)

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman)

Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender)

Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of the year)

  • Dunc McCallum (2): 1976–77, 1978–79
  • Bob Lowes: 1995–96

Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of the year)

  • Kevin Cheveldayoff: 1987–88
  • Byron Penstock: 1993–94
  • Stefan Cherneski: 1996–97
  • Brett Dickie: 2002–03
  • Keith Aulie: 2006–07
  • Tanner Kaspick: 2015–16
  • Quinn Mantei: 2022–23

WHL Playoff MVP (Awarded since 1992)

  • Bobby Brown: 1995–96
  • Nolan Patrick: 2015–16

Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup MVP)

  • Bart Hunter: 1979 Memorial Cup

Hap Emms Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup top goaltender)

  • Bart Hunter: 1979 Memorial Cup

George Parsons Trophy (Memorial Cup sportsmanship)

  • Toni Rajala: 2010 Memorial Cup

See also

  • List of ice hockey teams in Manitoba
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