Former Winkler Flyer Lewadniuk

Brandon, Manitoba – With Hockey School underway this week at Westman Place and Training Camp just two weeks away, the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings are pleased to announce two significant signings.

In addition to receiving a commitment from 15-year old Klarc Wilson, Wheat Kings’ general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon has confirmed that 19-year old Carman product Aaron Lewadniuk has come to terms with the WHL club.

A member of the USHL’s Omaha Lancers last season, the former Winkler Flyer was chosen winner of the Vince Leah Trophy as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year in 2006-07. That season, he finished 13^th in league scoring and sixth in goals with 87 points including 43 goals. In 58 games with the Lancers this past season, the 5’11” 175 lb. Lewadniuk scored fifteen goals and 38 points.

A sixth round pick of the Winter Hawks (110^th overall) in the 2004 WHL Bantam draft, Lewadniuk’s playing rights were obtained from Portland in a June 2007 trade after he had accepted an NCAA Scholarship.

“As a 19-year old player we anticipate Aaron making a real significant contribution to our club,” says McCrimmon. “He is a gifted offensive player that will complement our forward group.“

Wilson meanwhile was Brandon’s first round selection, 13th overall, during May’s WHL Bantam draft and is coming off an impressive showing at this spring’s Prospects Camp in Brandon.

“Klarc is a great young prospect,” McCrimmon says. “Our staff held him in high regard heading into the bantam draft, prompting us to trade up to select him. We look forward to him developing in our organization.”

In 31 games with the Edmonton Knights of Columbus Squires last season, the 6’ 190 lb. Wilson scored 34 goals and 79 points to finish third in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League North Division scoring race.

In other player news, 16-year old right-winger Brandon Regier, the club’s first round pick in last year’s bantam draft, has informed the Wheat Kings that he will not be attending this year’s Camp, choosing instead to stay home and concentrate on his school for this year. Regier, who has signed a WHL contract with the club, appeared in four games for the Wheat Kings last winter.

“Brandon’s decision has caught us off guard but we respect his reasons for making this choice,” says McCrimmon. “We remain hopeful that he will one day join our team.”

In 31 games with the Fraser Valley Bruins last season, Regier scored fifteen goals and 19 points while accumulating 150 penalty minutes. The 17^th overall selection in 2007, the 6’ 180 lb. Regier scored 49 goals and 72 points in 2006-07 as a member of the Abbotsford Bantams.