<h2>Winnipeg falls to Calgary in Shootout as Jets move to 2-0-1 in preseason</h2>RECAP:On Wednesday evening, the Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames took to the ice at Canada Life Centre for the first of two preseason games in a span of five days. The game was Winnipeg's third of the exhibition season, and second in a matter of three days downtown. Jansen Harkins scored early in the first period on a nifty-looking play in tight, before Calgary rallied for a late-period push, tying the game at ones before the opening frame came to a close. There was no scoring in the second period, but Jets' hopeful Parker Ford put the home team ahead 2-1 on an early third period five-on-three. But that goal was not enough, as youngster Connor Zary tied things up late in the frame. The game needed overtime and a shootout to determine its winner, with Calgary coming out on top.Nino Niederreiter, Parker Ford and Vlad Namestnikov were each denied by Dustin Wolf on their shootout opportunities, while Andrew Mangiapane scored the dagger for the Flames. HIGHLIGHTS:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1707189756117889030">https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1707189756117889030</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1707217007769268411">https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/1707217007769268411</a> PHOTOS:Photos from Wednesday's game vs. Calgary are courtesy of Scott Stroh:<img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc02551.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc02490.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc02756.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc03031.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc03214.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc03378.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc03483.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc03844.jpg">QUOTEABLE:Jansen Harkins on the Tyrel Bauer fight:“Bowser’s an animal. First shift, we’re down in the zone and I hear the whistle. I didn’t really know what was going on. I turned around and wasn’t surprised. Good for him. Hell of a bout. Guy is a really strong kid.”Parker Ford on his power play goal:“I don’t think I’ve taken that many one-timers in a game before. It was funny, but it was nice to pot one there. We just sustained pressure there. It was a five-on-three, but we were moving the puck well and retrieving the puck well. It was good that one of them went in.”WHAT’S NEXT:Next up for the Jets is a Friday night road tilt with the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. That game will start at 6:00 PM central and can be viewed live on TSN. Winnipeg will stay on the road and face the familiar Flames in Calgary on Monday night. That game will begin at 8:00 PM and will be streamed live on the official Winnipeg Jets website.

Game Recap - Winnipeg Jets 2 Calgary Flames 3

<h2>Final cuts determined, Jets' roster mainly unchanged</h2>The Winnipeg Jets of 2024-25 will look rather similar to that of the team that started the 2023-24 season. Sure, there are a few new faces in new faces due to changed throughout last year's 82 games. But for the majority of folks, things won't look all that different from the outside. No, there were not any major, sweeping changes this offseason. There wasn't a big-name free agent acquisition... unless Eric Comrie does the trick for you. The Jets will have a new backup goaltender, as Laurent Brossoit chased the bag elsewhere, with Kaapo Kahkonen and Comrie battling for that role this year. On defence, 2024 trade deadline acquisition Colin Miller opted to stick around and re-signed with the Jets, while fellow add-ins Sean Monahan and Tyler Tofolli left via free agency.Cole Perfetti finally came to terms on a new two-year deal with the Jets, rightfully ending his hold-out and skated in the second half of training camp.Youngsters Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov and Elias Salomonsson left a great impression on head coach Scott Arniel and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, but were the team's three final cuts. Offseason additions Dylan Coghlan and Haydn Fleury will work for the final defensive spot, while Ville Heinola and Logan Stanley rest up on the team's injured reserve for the time being.Expected line combinations for Winnipeg's opening night battle with the Edmonton Oilers will look rather familiar to most:Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi&nbsp;Perfetti-Namestnikov-Ehlers&nbsp;Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton&nbsp;Barron-Kupari-Iafallo/Gustafsson&nbsp;Morrissey-DeMelo&nbsp;Samberg-Pionk&nbsp;Fleury-Miller/Coghlan&nbsp;Hellebuyck&nbsp;Kahkonen/Comrie

Jets' Roster Set, To Begin Season Wednesday

<h2>Jets beat flames 5-2 on wednesday</h2>RECAP:The Winnipeg Jets took down the Calgary Flames 5-2 in a decisive home victory on Wednesday evening from Canada Life Centre. No, it wasn't all that decisive from the get-go. Actually, it was everything but.The Jets gave up the first goal, before rallying for two back-to-back strikes, before giving up yet another before 20 minutes had even ticked off the clock. Connor Hellebuyck had another disappointing period, adding to his rough start with 10 goals allowed through three full periods of preseason play.It took until the third period for either team to wake back up, with the home side coming out firing on all cylinders. The Jets got goals from Nino Niederreiter (his second of the game), Simon Lundmark and Kyle Connor in the third, as Hellebuyck shut the door on the Flames, while Winnipeg picked up its second win of the preseason, 5-2.HIGHLIGHTS:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841637687607902268">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841637687607902268</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841638017011683397">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841638017011683397</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841662897971159386">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1841662897971159386</a>PHOTOS:The extended photo library from Wednesday's game vs. Calgary is courtesy of Scott Stroh and James Carey Lauder:<img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc00077.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc00083.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc00241.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc00202.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc09197.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc09246.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/_13i0920go.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc09298.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/_13i1046go.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/_13i1708go.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/_13i1347go.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/_13i1906go.jpg">QUOTEABLE:Nikolaj Ehlers on Nino Niederreiter's offence:“That is his office. He thrives in there. To get a guy like that going, that’s obviously exciting for us. He got two tonight.”Simon Lundmark on his goal:“It was great. Great pass from Lambo, so I was just trying to hit the net, and luckily enough it went in.”WHAT’S NEXT:Winnipeg will conclude its pre-season with another game against the Flames - this time from Calgary. It can be streamed live on the official Winnipeg Jets website on Friday night at 8:00 PM central time. After that, the regular season gets underway on Wednesday night.

Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 5 Calgary Flames 2 

<h2>WHERE ARE THEY NOW?</h2>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.&nbsp;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&nbsp;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 HawrylukCareer WHL Stats: GP: 232 G: 119 A: 159 PTS: 278Career NHL Stats: GP: 98 G: 12 A: 15 PTS: 27&nbsp;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.&nbsp;No. 19 Nolan PatrickCareer WHL Stats: GP: 263 G: 92 A: 113 PTS: 205Career NHL Stats: GP: 222 G: 32 A: 45 PTS: 77The 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&nbsp;Career WHL Stats: GP: 222 G: 80 A: 116 PTS: 196Career NHL Stats: GP: 42 G: 2 A: 3 PTS: 5John 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.&nbsp;No. 9 Ivan ProvorovCareer WHL Stats: GP: 122 G: 36 A: 98 PTS: 134Career NHL Stats: GP: 614 G: 70 A: 179 PTS: 249Provorov 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&nbsp;Career WHL Stats: GP: 195 G: 26 A: 141 PTS: 167Career NHL Stats: GP: 94 G: 2 A: 19 PTS: 21&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&nbsp;No. 33 Jordan Papirny&nbsp;Career WHL Stats: GP: 205 SV%: .907 GAA: 2.93Papirny 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 ThompsonCareer WHL Stats: GP: 122 SV%: .905&nbsp; GAA: 3.26Career NHL Stats: GP: 103 SV%: .912&nbsp; GAA: 2.67Logan 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._________________________________________________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)

MEMORIAL CUP THROWBACKS: Five-Part Series on the 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings  

<h2>Jets go down swinging in high-scoring loss</h2>It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't a complete disaster either. On Friday night, the Jets travelled to St. Paul for a preseason clash with the Minnesota Wild... It was probably best they just stayed home.A back-and-forth first period led to a 1-1 draw through 20 minutes. But it was in the second period where the Wild completely dominated the game as the Jets fell asleep and looked on.Sure, the Wild were a more veteran-looking bunch, but Winnipeg's staff of players including Alex Iafallo, Mason Appleton, Cole Perfetti, Neal Pionk, Colin Miller, Dylan Samberg and Connor Hellebuyck certainly had some years of experience to it.It just didn't go the Jets' way in that middle stanza. Despite scoring a goal to tie the game at twos just two minutes after Minnesota pulled ahead 2-1, Winnipeg kicked its collective feet up and stood pat as the Wild piled on not four or five, but six additional goals in the frame, concluding the second period with eight total goals - seven of which were scored in that 20-minute chunk.Hellebuyck's performance looked absolutely disastrous, as the reigning Vezina Trophy winner gave up eight goals on 29 shots faced.But the key part of what appeared to be an incredibly unexpected blowout was Winnipeg's response in the third period.With Minnesota opting to take its foot off the gas pedal, the Jets got three goals in the frame, as Nikita Chibrikov scored a power play goal in the early stages, before Brayden Yager and Morgan Barron pumped back-to-back shots past Marc-Andre Fleury.The 8-5 final looked a lot better on paper thanks to a reluctant third period effort. If it weren't for some hustle and a willingness to continue fighting, things could have easily turned even uglier than they were in the middle frame.Winnipeg will now have a few days to reset as its next exhibition contest doesn't come until next Wednesday. There will be at least one round of cuts between now and then, allowing a more distinct grouping of players vying for the final roster spots to form as the regular season fast approaches.Now 1-2-1 in preseason play, the Jets will close things out with a home-and-home against the Calgary Flames next week.

Jets Blown Away, But Keep Fighting in 8-5 Loss in Minnesota

<h2>Jets lay a beating on oilers in third preseason game</h2>RECAP:The Winnipeg Jets have got themselves into the win column. No, preseason games really don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but at the end of the day, walking out of the rink with a 'W' certainly feels better than the other outcome.A strong opening period led the charge for a three-goal offensive explosion in the middle stanza.Through 40 minutes, the Jets held a 4-0 lead and a 27-13 advantage on the shot chart. Brad Lambert - who already had an assist on the night - picked up Winnipeg's fifth goal of the game on a third period power play. Defenceman Neal Pionk - who had a pretty goal of his own in the second period - earned his fourth point of the night as he added another helper on Lambert's tally. The Oilers eventually did find a goal on the night, but it was far too little, too late for Edmonton, which ended up dropping the game by way of a 6-1 final.HIGHLIGHTS:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839099121015124376">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839099121015124376</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839109446271905824">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839109446271905824</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839113626059145246">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839113626059145246</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839119374633795742">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839119374633795742</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839122833558954422">https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/1839122833558954422</a>PHOTOS:The extended photo library from Wednesday's game vs. Edmonton is courtesy of Scott Stroh and James Carey Lauder:<img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01274.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01279.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01272.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01217.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01235.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dsc01281.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/go_13i1512.jpg"><img src="https://game-on-hockey.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/go_13i1385.jpg">QUOTEABLE:Neal Pionk on his second period goal:"The blind squirrel finds the nut once in a while." Brad Lambert on getting into game action at the annual rookie tournament: “It was a bit of a head start, being able to play a few games there and get your feet under you. That was a main thing, just not have my first game happen at the main camp but get a few games under my belt there, which was a great. It was a lot of fun going there.”WHAT’S NEXT:The Jets hit the road for preseason game No. 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. Now 1-1-1 through three exhibition games, the Jets will likely dress a roster filled with 'bubble' players in need of a strong performance to help solidify their ranking as training camp wears on. Friday's game can be streamed live on the official website of the Winnipeg Jets.

Game On Recap: Winnipeg Jets 6 Edmonton Oilers 1

<h2>Jets Sign Perfetti to Two-Year Deal</h2>The Winnipeg Jets and 22-year-old forward Cole Perfetti have agreed on the terms surrounding a two-year contract. Perfetti, who was one of the league's final restricted free agents, did not get his wish of a long-term deal, but rather settled for a two-year contract of the 'bridge' variety, meaning he will look to prove his worth to Jets management over the next two seasons. The contract carries a $3.25 million annual average value, while the young forward will earn $3 million this year and $3.5 million in the 2025-26 season. Although beginning the 2023-24 season quite well, Perfetti's performance - and usage - dwindled over the course of the stretch run and playoffs last year. He was a healthy scratch quite often and actually sat out the team's first four postseason games, before finally drawing in for the final game of the playoffs.He put up 19 goals and another 19 assists, falling one goal short of a performance bonus on his entry-level contract, something certainly aided by former head coach Rick Bowness' favour towards older players. At one stretch, Perfetti had four goals in three games, while also putting up a five-game goal scoring streak earlier in the season. 2024-25 will certainly be a year of improvement for Winnipeg's 10th overall selection from 2020. He will look to rejoin teammates on Tuesday at training camp and hope to slot back into the team's second line centerman role for the season.

Cole Perfetti Signs Two-Year, $6.5 Million Contract with Winnipeg

<h2>2016 Playoff Run</h2>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.&nbsp;This edition of the Memorial Cup Throwback features a look at the championship round of the WHL playoffs and Brandon's appearance at the Memorial Cup. Take a trip down memory lane below:Championship Series vs SeattleThe Brandon Wheat Kings went into the finals knowing their opponent finished eight points behind them in the regular season. But as the team found out, looks can be deceiving. Seattle - led by Matt Barzal, Keagan Kolesar, Alexander True, Ethan Bear and the WHL save percentage leader (20+ games) Landon Bow - had lost only one game en route to its Western Conference title, and would end up being a huge test for Brandon.Game 1Reid Duke got the Brandon crowd bumping with a late powerplay goal in the last three minutes of the first. Seattle finally broke through a rock-solid Jordan Papirny midway through the second and again early in the third. Wheat Kings’ fans didn't have to worry for long as Nolan Patrick answered three minutes later with his 11th goal of the playoffs. Just over six minutes into overtime a Duncan Campbell shot took an awkward bounce off the glass and went back over the net where Tanner Kaspick batted it into the net for a 1-0 series lead.&nbsp;Game 2Game 2 started off with no score through the first period, as Papirny and Bow both made some key stops early in the game. Just a minute into the first Donovan Neuls put one by Papirny which was quickly answered by a short-handed Patrick goal. In a game where Papirny was sensational it was Bow on the other side of the ice making some huge desperation saves to keep Seattle afloat. Bear gave Seattle its one goal lead back halfway through the third frame, but once again Brandon kept firing as Tyler Coulter buried one four minutes later. Off to overtime once again, Brandon kept buzzing as a sneaky shot from behind the net ended Jayce Hawryluk’s lengthy playoff goal drought and sent Brandon to Seattle with a 2-0 series lead.Game 3If we follow the same storyline of the previous two rounds, Brandon gets blown out in game three, instead we follow the same storyline of the first two games of the championship series. Brandon found itself down 2-1 heading in the final frame for the third-straight game, but John Quenneville’s second of the night and 15th of the playoffs tied it up at the 11-minute mark. And once again we are off to overtime where it didn’t take long for Reid Duke to find the back of the net, sending Brandon into Game 4 with its third-straight 3-2 overtime victory.Game 4Landon Bow vs Jordan Papirny was a huge storyline heading into Game 4. Both goalies had been sensational against each team's high power offence, with Papirny getting the edge by one goal in three-straight games. The script flipped in Game 4 and turned into the Bow show. He stopped 30 of 31 shots, while Papirny gave up six-straight Seattle goals. A late goal by Hawryluk - only his fourth of the playoffs - ruined Bow’s shutout hopes but Seattle came outon top with a 6-1 blowout victory.&nbsp;Game 5Quenneville opened up the scoring early in Game 5, but it was Seattle's fourth line who answered rather quickly. A power play goal from Macoy Erkamps and an early second period goal by Coulter woke the Thunderbirds up as they scored three quick goals to go up 4-3. Hawryluk would answer after a beautiful play by Tim McGauly with less than two minutes left in the second frame, sending the game to the third period tied 4-4. &nbsp;In one of the most exciting back-and-forth games of the year, Patrick and the top line came out flying and put the Wheat Kings up by one, three minutes into the third. It would be three-straight goals - two by Hawryluk, who completed the hat trick - that won the Wheat Kings the 2015-16 Ed Chynoweth Trophy and send Brandon to the Memorial cup.GM 1&nbsp; Seattle Thunderbirds &nbsp; 2 - 3&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; OTGM 2&nbsp; Seattle Thunderbirds &nbsp; 2 - 3&nbsp; at Brandon Wheat Kings&nbsp; OTGM 3&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 3 - 2&nbsp; at Seattle Thunderbirds&nbsp; OTGM 4&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 1 - 6&nbsp; at Seattle ThunderbirdsGM 5&nbsp; Brandon Wheat Kings &nbsp; 8 - 4&nbsp; at Seattle Thunderbirds Memorial Cup in Red DeerUnfortunately, Brandon could not find the same success at the Memorial Cup as the team had all year. Still one of the deepest teams in the tournament, the Wheat Kings couldn’t match the top star power in the tournament&nbsp;Game 1 vs Rouyn NorandaRouyn Noranda were the CHL’s top ranked team the majority of the 2015-16 season with NHL talent Timo Meier, Jeremy Lauzon and Phillipe Myers leading the way along with 108-point scorer Francis Perron.&nbsp;Just over two minutes into the first period and after a huge scramble in front of the net, Reid Duke poked the puck in to put his team up 1-0.The game slowly got away from the Wheat Kings after their early start. Lauzon went end-to-end, and sent a beautiful pass across the middle of the ice to another now NHLer, AJ Greer, who found the back of the net. The Huskies continued to pour it on, scoring two goals in the final 1:27 in the first to put them up 5-1 going into the third.Brandon didn’t back off and outshot the Huskies 20-4 in the third, but could only get two past Chase Marchand, granted one of them was one of the nicest goals in tournament history with John Quenneville going between his legs and roofing it. The comeback was not enough, and the Wheaties moved on to face London.Game 2 vs LondonThe game against London is one Wheat Kings fans would love to forget. London, with their loaded first line of Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and Christan Dvorak blew out the Wheat Kings 9-1. Looking at it now, Brandon stood no chance against arguably a top five junior team of all time which featured the big three along with other NHL talent Olli Juolevi, Evan Bouchard, Max Jones, Victor Mete and Kole Sherwood.&nbsp;The Tkachuk-Dvorak-Marner line combined for 20 points through the Kinghts' first two games of the tournament and were ultimately too tough to handle for the WHL champs.Game 3 vs Red DeerBrandon came into their third game needing to not only beat Red Deer but beat them by nine goals in order to even create a tie breaker situation. An unfortunate end to the season for Brandon saw the team lose 2-1 in overtime.&nbsp;_________________________________________________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. The remaining pieces will be revealed in the coming weeks.Stay tuned for the next two stories released in Game On's Memorial Cup Throwback Series.

MEMORIAL CUP THROWBACK: A Five-Part Series on the 2015-16 Brandon Wheat Kings  

<h2>Former Moose captain heads to Slovakia</h2>After six years, defenceman Jimmy Oligny has decided to part ways with the Manitoba Moose.The team's three-year captain has opted to head overseas, where he will suit up for HKM Zvolen in Slovakia next season.A left shot defender, Oligny has earned his keep with the Moose, despite never being drafted to the NHL. He suited up in 473 career AHL contests, but his time with the Moose was certainly low-lighted by a number of injuries. In six seasons with Manitoba, he only played in 198 games, including just 25 games over the last two seasons, and eight last year.He had four assists and 31 penalty minutes in those two years.But it wasn't his offensive contributions that kept him as a fan favourite in Manitoba, but rather his spirit, dressing room presence and leadership off-ice. Oligny has been named the Julian Klymkiw Community Service Award three times and won the AHL's Yanick Dupre Memorial Award as the league's man of the year for his work within the local community.Oligny has played solely in the AHL since turning pro in 2014 following his QMJHL career - with the exception of one ECHL game in 2015-16 - and will now look to carve out a new path in Europe after 10 seasons in the AHL.

Jimmy Oligny to Take Captain's Talents Overseas

<h2>Manitoban joins Senators' Camp on Tryout</h2>The Ottawa Senators officially extended tryout offers to two players this past week: Nikolai Kulemin and Calen Addison.Both names should be of intrigue to Manitobans, with the first - Kulemin - being a regular in a Toronto Maple Leafs top-six forward group from 2008-14. With no Winnipeg Jets local hockey, the Leafs were certainly one of the most televised teams within the province of Manitoba during his break into the NHL. Kulemin spent many seasons alongside Mikhail Grabovsky and Clarke MacArthur on one of the Leafs' most dominant offensive lines through the early-2010s.Addison, on the other hand, is a homegrown local Brandon product, who spent his Junior days playing the point on the Lethbridge Hurricanes' power play.A small defenceman, Addison is known for his offensive contributions and puck-carrying and moving abilities. Selected 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Addison moved from Pennsylvania to Minnesota, before ultimately winding up in San Jose during the 2023-24 season. He split 72 games between the Sharks and Wild, putting up 17 points in the process. In 152 total regular season NHL contests, the 24-year-old has six goals and 50 points. He - much like Kulemin - will attend Senators' camp on a tryout basis, in hopes of landing a one-way deal with Ottawa for the coming year.

Brandon's Calen Addison Signs PTO with Ottawa

<h2>Franko is Speedy Creek Bound</h2>It took very little time for Zach Franko to turn the ship in St. Boniface with the Riels. In two short years, Franko’s accomplishments earned him a call from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, which he has since joined as an assistant coach.“He’s competitive, he’s likeable, he will get the best out of a player,” said Jason Frykas, president of the Riels. “He wants to win, and it’s not a negative way of how he shows it.”When Franko took over as head coach of the Riels in 2022, the team had just posted their second-worst win total in team history—finishing dead last in the MMJHL with a 6-36-3 record.In Franko’s first season as head coach, the Riels nearly tripled their win totals from the previous season, making the playoffs where they would lose to the MMJHL powerhouse St. James Canucks in the first round.“The next year, (Franko) wanted to be the GM,” said Frykas. “He excelled; the players loved him.”In Franko’s first year as both head coach and GM, the Riels finished with a record of 24-17-2 – their best season since winning the Jack Mackenzie Trophy – the MMJHL’s championship - in 2014-15.It wasn’t long before Swift Current came calling—sending Franko on his way to the WHL.“I will forever be grateful for my time with the Riels,” said Franko. “I would like to thank the Frykas family, my assistant coaches Tyler Moore, Sean Christensen and Benji Micflikier, trainers and equipment managers and most importantly the players. They have helped put this team in championship contention for years to come and really have helped propel my coaching career. I wouldn’t have got this opportunity without the help from everyone in the St. Boniface Riels organization.”So, where does this leave the Riels after their best season in nine years?The Riels hired Paul Kastes as their next head coach. Kastes is currently the head coach of the U23 men’s Canadian Ball Hockey Team, boasting four years of MMJHL experience as an assistant coach with the St. Vital Junior Victorias.Assistant coaches Christensen and Moore will return, with Moore also accepting the role of GM this season.“I'm very excited to and honoured to be thought of for this position,” said Kastes. “I am coming into a great group and great culture that was set by the previous staff and I am excited to help get this group over the hump and back to competing for a championship.”

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