As training camp begins for the Brandon Wheat Kings, a strong core of returning players, recently drafted NHL prospects, and promising rookies have the team feeling comfortable and confident. The team certainly expects to improve upon last season’s tenth place finish.
Before the playoff seeding can be decided, however, the Wheat Kings must finalize their roster. Competition is expected to be fierce. Veteran players do not necessarily have guaranteed spots in the lineup, and those who make the final cut will be vying for key minutes that opened up with the departure of graduating players Calder Anderson and Nolan Ritchie.
At forward, the team boasts high end skill and reliable scoring depth, as well as young players with potential to make the offense even deadlier. Returning captain Nate Danielson leads the way, fresh off a summer in which he was selected ninth overall at the NHL entry draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He led the team in goals and points last season, and will be counted on for his high-end offense and intelligent defensive play once again.
Danielson’s support will come in part from 20-year-old Brett Hyland, who was drafted himself this past summer by the Washington Capitals after posting over a point per game for the Wheat Kings in 2022-23. Dawson Pasternak, who posted 22 points in 27 games for the Wheat Kings after arriving via trade with the Portland Winterhawks, will be the other 20-year-old up front.
Part of what makes the Wheat Kings forward group so exciting is the potential for scoring from every age group. In addition to Danielson, 2004-born forwards Rylen Roersma, Nolan Flamand, and Ben Thornton will need to provide reliable depth up front. In the 2005-born age group, not only will hard workers Evan Groening and Anthony Wilson be entering into their second season as Wheat Kings, but import draft pick Dominik Petr, newly arrived in Canada, will bring a mix of size and skill. And with a gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup under his belt, Roger McQueen appears ready to take a step for the 2006-born age group. The team will count on Caleb Hadland, a first-round pick in 2021 who had a promising rookie season cut short by injury, to do the same.
Speaking of first round picks, 2022 first rounder Joby Baumuller will have his first chance to earn a full-time roster spot after an 11-game audition with the team in which he scored his first two WHL goals. He’s still a rookie in the WHL, but the team looks for him to hit the ground running when the season begins.
On the blueline, competition for ice time will be even fiercer, as seven defenseman return from last year’s squad. Who will be the biggest riser from last season? Will it be Charlie Elick, fresh off a gold medal of his own at the Hlinka Gretzky? Maybe it will be Quinn Mantei, who attended rookie camp with the Calgary Flames this offseason. 2004-born blueliners Luke Shipley and Andrei Malyavin will look to continue to bring the offense, while Kayden Sadhra-Kang, the lone remaining 20-year-old on the roster, will be relied upon to shut the other team’s best players down. Eastyn Mannix and Zach Turner, each of whom had shortened seasons in 2022-23, return to camp eager to show they’re ready for full-time duty.
In goal, the team has stability that many other teams would envy. Both goaltenders return from last season, with Carson Bjarnason having been drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the summer and Nicholas Jones ready to battle for more starts. Keep an eye on Ethan Eskit, who won his first WHL start last season and will throw his hat in the ring for full-time duty.
A list of the full camp sessions and schedule can be found HERE (https://chl.ca/whl-wheatkings/wheat-kings-main-camp-schedule-announced/). Every session is open to the public.
(Article courtesy of the Brandon Wheat Kings)
