The battle for roster spots with the 2023-24 Brandon Wheat Kings begins this Friday, September 1, as the Black and Gold open their main camp presented by Victoria Inn.
Split into three teams, a mix of promising up-and-coming prospects and an impressive group of returning veterans will take part in drills, skills practices, and scrimmages over the course of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It all builds up to the annual Black and Gold Game on Monday, September 4, at J&G Homes Arena.
Training camp is shaping up to be an exciting time for Wheat Kings fans, as they’ll be able to welcome 22 returning players back to Brandon. Among these are recent NHL draftees Nate Danielson (9th overall to Detroit), Carson Bjarnason (51st overall to Philadelphia), and Brett Hyland (200th overall to Washington).
Also among the returning players are defenseman Charlie Elick and forward Roger McQueen. They’ll be at camp fresh off a gold medal win and strong individual performances with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The future of the Wheat Kings will be on full display during training camp as well. Joby Baumuller, Carter Klippenstein, Ethan Eskit, and Easton Odut will be trying to make the team full-time after getting their first taste of WHL action last season.
Meanwhile, this will be the first chance for the 2023 prospects draft class to make an impression. As part of a busy and successful offseason, the Wheat Kings signed their first four picks in the 2023 draft: first rounders Jaxon Jacobson and Giorgos Pantelas, second round selection Nigel Boehm, and fourth round pick Isaac Davies.
The players will arrive in Brandon in time to register and check in on Thursday, August 31. On-ice sessions kicks off at 9:30 in the morning on Friday, September 1. A more detailed schedule is below.
All ice times are open to the public.
Friday, September 1 (Westoba Place)
9:30 AM: Team Black Practice
10:30 AM: Team White Practice
11:30 AM: Team Grey Practice
3:00 PM: Team Black Skill Session
4:30 PM: Game 1, Team White vs. Team Grey
Saturday, September 2 (Westoba Place)
9:30 AM: Team Grey Skill Session
11:00 AM: Game 2, White vs. Black
4:00 PM: Team White Skill Session
5:30 PM: Game 3, Black vs. Grey
Sunday, September 3 (Westoba Place)
8:00 AM: Veterans Practice
11:00 AM: Game 4, all non-veteran players
Monday, September 4 (J&G Homes Arena)
1:00 PM: Game 5, Black and Gold Game
(Article courtesy of the Brandon Wheat Kings)
