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WHEAT KINGS WELCOME ALL OF OUR 2012 DRAFTED PLAYERS

 

Hockey Staff

 

 

Kelly McCrimmon, Governor, General Manager


A former Western Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League Executive of the Year, McCrimmon joined the Wheat Kings in 1988. A Wheat King alumni, he spent the past seven seasons behind the Brandon bench, before stepping aside and naming Cory Clouston the hockey club’s new head coach in August. The second winningest coach in franchise history with 330 victories, McCrimmon led Brandon to a 294-177-35 record since replacing Mike Kelly in March 2004. In addition to capturing the Eastern Conference Title in 2005, McCrimmon led Brandon to three Eastern Division pennants and to within one win of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup. Under McCrimmon’s guidance, the Wheat Kings have captured eight Eastern Division pennants, including five in the last 10 years, four Eastern Conference Championships, made four WHL final appearances and participated in three Memorial Cups. Since the 1992-93 campaign when the club established a Canadian Hockey League record for biggest single season improvement of 62 points, the club has won more games than any team in the CHL and has made the playoffs in eighteen of the last 19 seasons. McCrimmon became a minority owner of the franchise in 1992 and took over sole ownership of the club in 2000, when he purchased the remainder of the club from longtime owner Bob Cornell.

 

Al Macpherson, Director of Player Personnel



As the director of player personnel, Al is responsible for the evaluation of players across western Canada. As well, he coordinates the team's valuable team of scouts, working together to compile the list of prospects for the annual bantam draft each April. The longest serving member of the Wheat Kings' organization, Al joined the team in 1986 when he was hired by Brandon general manager Bill Shinske to serve as the team's senior Saskatchewan scout. In 1998, the Lacandena, Saskatchewan native became a full time employee of the team when he was promoted by general manager Kelly McCrimmon.
Macpherson and McCrimmon work well together, teaming up to produce one of the best records in Canadian major junior hockey over the course of the past ten years.
Macpherson has been living in Saskatoon for over forty years and is the father of two grown children.

 





 

Dwayne Gylywoychuk, Assistant Coach




A native of Winnipeg, Dwayne joined the hockey club's coaching staff in 2003. Prior to coming on board as an assistant, he worked with the team's front office as director of community relations. Besides his duties on the ice, Dwayne has become one of the league's most respected video coaches. As well, the former Brandon defenceman serves as coordinator of the annual Wheat Kings' Hockey School each August. A five year WHL player, he is proud owner of one of the hockey club's most respected records - Most Career Games played. During his playing days in Brandon, Gylywoychuk suited up for a franchise record 323 games, scoring nine goals and 49 points while accumulating 584 minutes in penalties. Before returning to Brandon five years ago, he played seven seasons of professional hockey.



 

Darren Ritchie, Assistant Coach


  Darren is entering his fifth season as a Wheat Kings’ assistant coach but unlike the past four years, he will assume a full time position with the WHL club. The Minnedosa born Ritchie joined the club in 2007, after serving as an assistant with the Brandon AAA Midget Wheat Kings. A former WHL all star in Brandon, Ritchie scored 152 goals (7th most in franchise history) and 278 points in 232 career games. His best year came in 1994-95 when he fired a team leading 62 goals and 114 points in 69 games and was named to the Eastern Conference First All Star Team. As well, he was chosen winner of the Brad Hornung Trophy that goes to the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. Following his junior career, he spent nine seasons playing professional hockey in both North America and Europe.

 

Matt Cockell - Goaltending Coach


Returning for this fifth season as Goaltending Coach of the Wheat Kings is 32-year old Matt Cockell of Winnipeg.  A former fifth round draft choice of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Matt played three seasons in the Western League, beginning with the Saskatoon Blades in 1996 and ending in Spokane with the Chiefs in ’99. In addition to his duties with the Wheat Kings, Matt currently serves as Goalie Consultant with Hockey Canada




 

Grant Ammann, Athletic Therapist



A 31-year old native of Aldergrove, B.C., Ammann joins the Wheat Kings after receiving his Advanced Certificate of Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University in Calgary. A former strength and conditioning coach of the BCHL’s Burnaby Express, Grant was working with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC when he was hired by Wheat Kings’ general manager and owner Kelly McCrimmon. In addition to the ‘Caps, he served as head equipment manager and athletic therapist for the Gold Medal winning Team BC at this year’s Canada Winter Games.

 
 

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