Twenty-six. That was the number of wins that the Brandon Wheat Kings were able to muster last season in the Western Hockey League. Good enough for a 10th place finish in the eastern conference standings and well clear of earning a playoff spot. A disappointing result, considering Brandon won 35 games in 2021-22 and made the postseason, despite falling to the Red Deer Rebels in the first round. But with the Wheat Kings’ training camp set to begin in just one week on September 1st, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season.
A mix of returning veterans — boasting NHL draft pedigree — along with a few fresh-faced 16- and 17-year-olds looking to put their own stamp on upcoming draft rankings, has optimism rising once again in Brandon. Here are six players that could help the team bounce back this season.
Brett Hyland — Left Wing/Centre, 5-11, 188.
Hyland went through quite the rollercoaster of a season last year. Despite the team’s struggles, the Edmonton native was in the midst of a career year, putting up 26 goals and 47 points in just 42 games to begin the season. Often heralded as the Wheat Kings’ hardest working player, Hyland suffered a lower-body injury in February that required surgery and left the team without its alternate captain for the remainder of the season.
The Wheat Kings’ general manager, Marty Murray told the Brandon Sun, “We really missed him. You don’t want to blame things on injury, but I thought that was a real turning point to our season.”
Despite the injury, Hyland’s hockey season ended on a high when the Washington Capitals selected the 20-year-old in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in his third year of draft eligibility. Look for Hyland to be a solid producer this year in his final junior season if Brandon is going to threaten for the playoffs.
Nate Danielson — Centre, 6-1, 185.
In short, Nate Danielson was Brandon’s best player last season. At just 18 years old, he was the team’s co-captain and leading scorer with 78 points in 68 games. Although Danielson has obvious high-end offensive skill at the junior level, it’s his complete 200-foot game at the centre position, excellent skating ability, and “pro-level” work ethic that prompted Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings to select him 9th overall in the NHL Draft this past June. Danielson will look to start quickly this season with Brandon if he wants to earn a spot on Team Canada's World Junior roster in December.
Carson Bjarnson — Goalie, 6-4, 180.
Bjarnson shared MVP honors for the Wheat Kings with Nate Danielson last season after logging the sixth most minutes of any goaltender in the WHL and finishing tied for third in shutouts with three. Quite the accomplishment for a 17-year-old.
Like his teammates Hyland and Danielson, Bjarnason heard his name called at this year’s NHL Draft when the Flyers took him 51st overall.
The product of Carberry, Manitoba, who played his minor hockey for the Southwest Cougars, also won the Top Manitoban award for the Wheat Kings last season. Bjarnson projects to play a heavy workload in 2023-24 and will need to be every bit as good on a nightly basis for his team to take a positive step forward.
Charlie Elick — Defense, 6-3, 189.
Elick played his first full Western League season in 2022-23 after being selected third overall by the Wheat Kings in the 2021 WHL Draft. The 17-year-old defenseman from Calgary showed flashes of high-end skill in the offensive zone but will need to focus on further developing his defensive game this season.
In August, Elick won gold with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup hosted by the Czech Republic and Slovakia. After scoring two points in five games and being an important member of Canada’s penalty kill unit, the Wheat Kings hope this international experience helps Elick have the confidence to take on a larger role on their backend in the WHL this year. Elick is currently ranked #19 by Daily Faceoff for the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. It’s safe to say he has a big year ahead.
Roger McQueen — Forward, 6-4, 182.
The towering McQueen isn't eligible for the NHL Draft until 2025 and played the entirety of his season in Brandon last year as a 16-year-old. Although he only scored 14 points in 55 games and struggled with the physicality of the Western League, McQueen is looking to make a big step this upcoming season.
Also a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky this summer, McQueen got a major boost of confidence after playing a substantial role and producing for his country in big moments. Using his long frame more effectively against players of his own age, the product of Saskatoon attacked the net on a consistent basis, scoring seven points in five games. Watch for McQueen to breakout offensively this season.
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