Players, management, the coaching staff, support staff, and everyone involved with the Brandon Wheat Kings organization have had plenty to be excited about as of late.
First, the team won the Subway Cup as the top team in the East Division in the Subway Hub in Regina. Brandon’s 18-4-2 record gave them 38 points, which was enough to secure the division title. Brandon went 7-2-1 in their final 10 games.
Ben McCartney had a tremendous season as his 37 points were the second-most in the league, only behind Peyton Krebs who added up 43 points. Playing in at least 50 games in every season with Brandon since suiting up in 51 in the 2017-18 season, McCartney scored 13 times and had 24 assists.
Although the Western Hockey League season is over, McCartney stayed busy after leaving the bubble in Regina. He played five regular season games with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League, where he had one goal and four assists. He also played one playoff game. And now, McCartney is an official member of the Arizona Coyotes as they signed him to a three-year entry-level contract.
McCartney was taken 204th overall in the most recent NHL draft.
In other Wheat Kings news, five members of the club have landed on Central Scouting’s final rankings for the upcoming NHL draft.
Jake Chiasson was the highest ranked skater at 61st among North American prospects. Vincent Iorio is rated 71st, Riley Ginnell comes in at 191st, Nolan Ritchie is ranked 197th, and Ethan Kruger is 32nd among North American goalies.
The draft is set for July 23-24.
On top of all of this, former Wheat Kings bench boss Dave Lowry is now with the Winnipeg Jets and their off to the North Division Finals.
