The Brandon Wheat Kings were the class of the 2015-2016 Western Hockey League season. They won the East Division that season with 48 wins and 102 points. They finished the regular season with nine wins in their last 10 games and they went 11-0-2 in their final 13 games.
Only the Victoria Royals (50-16-3-3) had more points as they finished with 106. The playoffs; however, weren’t friendly to Victoria as they were bounced in the conference semifinals in seven games against Kelowna. The Brandon Wheat Kings; meanwhile, won the league title as they beat Seattle in five games in the final and they lost just five games during their entire playoff run.
Jayce Hawryluk finished fourth in regular-season scoring that year with 106 points. His 30 playoff points were tied for the most alongside his teammate, Nolan Patrick. The 32nd overall pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2014 NHL draft, Jayce began his professional career the next season; however, it came in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Thunderbirds. After he posted 26 points in his rookie season, Jayce had 36 in the 2017-2018 season and he also had two points in six games with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL.
The Roblin, Manitoba native finally got his chance to play in the National Hockey League during the 2018-2019 season with the Panthers and he ended up scoring seven times in 42 games and he added five assists. His first goal was scored on December 23, 2018 when he scored twice against the Chicago Blackhawks in a 6-3 win.
“That was an incredibly special feeling,” said Hawryluk. “It’s something I will never forget. I’m just happy that I was able to help the team win a game.”
Jayce was also the assistant captain of Springfield that season where he played 31 games and had 32 points. After playing 15 games with Florida last year, Jayce packed his bags and headed back to Canada as he was acquired by the Ottawa Senators.
Ultimately, it was just a brief stop in Ottawa as he only played 11 games. He scored two goals and had five assists in that time. Now, Jayce’s professional journey will see him stay in Canada; however, he’s heading to British Columbia. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks early this week. He will have a cap hit of $800,000 in the NHL while his minor league salary will be $200,000.
On Jayce’s Twitter, he’s had this to say.
Couldn’t be more excited to join the Canucks organization!! Thanks for all the warm welcomes already! Can’t wait to get back out there! https://t.co/s4rC4bpwdC
— JayceHawryluk (@JayceHawryluk) October 19, 2020
There’s no doubt that Hawryluk has been known to win wherever he has gone. On top of his championship with the Wheat Kings, Jayce also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2013 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and he won back-to-back championships playing U13 AA hockey from 2007 to 2009.
