Intensity was one of the hallmarks of Brandon Wheat Kings’ training camp this year as players fought to earn their place on the preseason roster. Now that the roster has been released, however, the battle isn’t over and the intensity isn’t expected to go anywhere.
The Wheat Kings open their preseason schedule tonight against the Saskatoon Blades. Unusually, the Black and Gold will face the Blades in a home-and-home with the conclusion coming on Sunday afternoon. The two teams do not typically face off in exhibition action.
“It’s come up really quickly,” said Wheat Kings head coach and GM Marty Murray. “We’ve had two full practices before we get that first game. It’s fun to get into a game setting, for these guys to face some other competition and see where they’re at. I’m sure there will be some nerves.”
If Wheat Kings fans are hoping to see the promised firepower of the forward group, they’re likely to get their wish. With a couple of younger forwards nursing injuries, the Wheat Kings will have a fairly veteran group in up front.
“You’ll probably see a lot of familiar faces with our forward group,” Murray said. “We’ll have some youth on the back end. It should be a nice, well-balanced lineup and a great opportunity for kids to get their feet wet.”
On the back end, things look a lot younger. There are six players with the team that would be classified as rookies, four of whom have never played a WHL game. And spots for those players are there for the taking.
“There are some really good prospects that are knocking on the door to be full-time Wheat Kings,” said Murray. “They’ve impressed during camp and earned an opportunity to stick around. In practices they’ve been getting acclimated but obviously the real test will be in preseason games.”
Once the Wheat Kings are done with this home-and-home against the Blades, the exhibition schedule gets a little more traditional. They’ll play a home-and-home with the Regina Pats on September 13 and 14. Both of those games will air on Q Country 91.5 FM.
