WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
The 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings are considered by most as one of the very best teams in franchise history. With this year's “Wheaties” putting in a bid for the 2026 Memorial Cup, it is a perfect time to look back at some of the most dominant teams in the Wheat Kings archives.
This final edition of the Memorial Cup Throwback features a look at the roster makeup of the team, with reference to where the players are currently in their respective field. Take a trip down memory lane below:
Where Are They Now: A look at where some of the best Wheat Kings players ended up
Despite a disappointing tournament, 2015-16 was regarded as one of the most skilled teams in Wheat Kings history so let's look at where some of the best players from that squad ended up.
No. 8 Jayce Hawryluk
Career WHL Stats: GP: 232 G: 119 A: 159 PTS: 278
Career NHL Stats: GP: 98 G: 12 A: 15 PTS: 27
Hawryluk really hit his stride in his final season in Wheat CIty before turning pro. Drafted by Florida in the second round, he spent his first three pro seasons between the AHL and ECHL before playing 42 games with florida in 2018-19. He has also spent time with the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks but currently plays overseas in Czechia.
No. 19 Nolan Patrick
Career WHL Stats: GP: 263 G: 92 A: 113 PTS: 205
Career NHL Stats: GP: 222 G: 32 A: 45 PTS: 77
The Wheat Kings legend is one of the biggest “what if’s” in NHL history. After Being drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick’s career has been full of unfortunate and long-lasting injuries. He was traded to Kelly McCrimmon’s Vegas Golden Knights for a fresh start in 2021-22 but hasn’t played since and was forced into a very youthful retirement due to his ongoing migraines.
No. 17 John Quenneville
Career WHL Stats: GP: 222 G: 80 A: 116 PTS: 196
Career NHL Stats: GP: 42 G: 2 A: 3 PTS: 5
John Quenneville was drafted in the first round in 2014, two picks before Hawryluk. He has spent time with the New Jersey Devils and Chicago Blackhawks but never could earn a full-time roster spot in the NHL. Quenneville is currently playing in Switzerland.
No. 9 Ivan Provorov
Career WHL Stats: GP: 122 G: 36 A: 98 PTS: 134
Career NHL Stats: GP: 614 G: 70 A: 179 PTS: 249
Provorov is the most successful player out of this Wheat Kings team, suiting up for over 600 NHL games. He has been a consistent 30-point defenseman for the majority of his career and was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets last season from the Flyers who drafted him 7th overall in the infamous 2015 NHL draft.
No. 10 Kale Clague
Career WHL Stats: GP: 195 G: 26 A: 141 PTS: 167
Career NHL Stats: GP: 94 G: 2 A: 19 PTS: 21
Kale Clague found great success even after the 2015-16 run in Brandon and was eventually traded to Moose Jaw to finish off his WHL career. He was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings and has spent his career between the AHL and NHL thus far.
No. 33 Jordan Papirny
Career WHL Stats: GP: 205 SV%: .907 GAA: 2.93
Papirny has never suited up for an NHL game but it feels wrong to leave him off the list. He leads the WHL club in all time starts, minutes played, wins and shutouts and is one of the most memorable fan favorites. Papirny played in college for the University of Calgary before turning pro. He is now in the Vegas Golden Knights' organization.
No. 1 Logan Thompson
Career WHL Stats: GP: 122 SV%: .905 GAA: 3.26
Career NHL Stats: GP: 103 SV%: .912 GAA: 2.67
Logan Thompson was an undrafted free agent playing at Brock University before Kelly McCrimmon picked him up and gave him a chance in the Vegas organization. He worked his way up from the ECHL and has been a full time NHL netminder since 2021 even becoming an NHL Pacific Division All Star in 2023-23. Thompson was traded to Washington this past offseason.
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Game On's Jackson Bachewich has produced this five-part series set for release in advance of puck drop on the 2024-25 WHL season.
This was the final part of Game On's Memorial Cup Throwback Series.
See highlights and more on our Instagram (@Gameonmagmb)
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