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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 Canadian junior ice hockey team. They are based in Brandon, Manitoba. The team started in 1936. For 30 years, they played successfully in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

In the 1967–68 season, the Wheat Kings joined the Western Hockey League (WHL). Today, they play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. Their home games are at Keystone Centre. The team holds the WHL record for the best regular season. This happened in the 1978–79 season. They won 58 games and earned 125 points. That season, they also won their first of three league championships.

History of the Wheat Kings

How the Team Started

The Wheat Kings team was formed in 1936. They joined the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). For a short time in the late 1930s, they were called the Elks. The team played at Wheat City Arena. They won the Turnbull Cup eight times. This trophy is for the best junior team in Manitoba.

In 1949, they reached the Memorial Cup finals. They had won the Abbott Cup as Western Canadian junior champions. The 1949 Brandon Wheat Kings team was honored. They were put into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. In the 1950s, the Wheat Kings played in a different league. They also spent two seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Then, in 1967, they joined the major junior Western Canada Junior Hockey League.

Joining the Western Hockey League

The Wheat Kings had a tough start in the new league. For their first nine seasons, they didn't win much. They only had two winning seasons. In 1970, they moved to Manex Arena. Then, in 1973, they moved to the new Keystone Centre.

In 1976, the team started to get much better. Players like Brian Propp, Brad McCrimmon, and Ray Allison led the way. They won three regular season titles in a row. This was 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 six games.

The Wheat Kings went to the Memorial Cup again in 1979. They lost in the final game. It was a close 2–1 overtime loss to the Peterborough Petes. Many say it was one of the best finals ever. In that game, Brad McCrimmon played almost the whole time. He only left the ice for a short penalty. The 1978–79 team set a WHL record. They earned 125 points in one season. After that season, ten Wheat Kings players were picked in the NHL draft. Four of them were chosen in the first round.

After this great period, the team struggled for a while. They missed the playoffs many times. A highlight came in the 1983–84 season. Ray Ferraro scored an amazing 108 goals. This set a new league record.

In the late 1980s, Kelly McCrimmon became the team manager. He is Brad McCrimmon's brother. Under his leadership, the Wheat Kings became strong again. They reached the finals three times between 1994–95 and 1997–98. In 1995, they lost the final. But they still went to the Memorial Cup. This was because the host team, Kamloops Blazers, was in the final. Brandon lost in the semi-final.

Their best season during this time was 1995–96. The team was coached by Bob Lowes. Players like Wade Redden and Peter Schaefer were key. They won 50 games, their first time since 1979. They also won the regular season title. In the playoffs, they lost only three games. They won their second league championship. The Wheat Kings went to the Memorial Cup again. They lost in the semi-final to Peterborough. During these years, the Wheat Kings almost always made the playoffs.

The Wheat Kings hosted the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament. This was their fifth time playing in the Memorial Cup. Led by Matt Calvert, Brayden Schenn, and Toni Rajala, Brandon had another 50-win season. They reached the Eastern Conference final. They also made it to the Memorial Cup final. But they lost to the Windsor Spitfires.

Brandon returned to the Memorial Cup in 2016. They won their third Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. However, in 2016, they lost all three games. This was the first time they didn't reach at least the semi-final. 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 season, games were limited. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brandon finished first in their division. In 2022, the team hired former player Marty Murray. He became their new coach and manager.

Season-by-season record

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 Westoba Credit Union Place—since 1973.

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 Cancelled 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

Championship History

  • Abbott Cup: 1949
  • Turnbull Cup (8 wins): 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964
  • Ed Chynoweth Cup (3 wins): 1978–79, 1995–96, 2015–16
  • Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (5 wins): 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1995–96, 2014–15
  • Conference Championship (5 wins): 1995–96, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Regular season Division Championship (14 wins): 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

Players

NHL Alumni

Many players from the Brandon Wheat Kings have gone on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Here is a list of some of them:

Retired Numbers

The Wheat Kings have honored some players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will wear that number. Brad McCrimmon's number was retired after he passed away in a plane crash in 2011.

# Player
4 Brad McCrimmon

Team Records

These are some of the best records for the Brandon Wheat Kings team and its players.

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

Awards

The Brandon Wheat Kings and their players have won many awards over the years.

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

Images for kids

  • Brandon Wheat Kings Jersey front

    A Wheat Kings jersey from around 2005.

See also

  • List of ice hockey teams in Manitoba
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