Hockey Staff
Kelly McCrimmon, Governor, General Manager & Head Coach

A former Western Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League Executive of the Year McCrimmon enters his twentieth season with the Wheat Kings.  McCrimmon, a Wheat King Alumni, arrived in Brandon in 1988 and is entering his fifth season as General Manager and Head Coach after serving as the clubs General Manager the previous 15 seasons.  McCrimmon’s clubs have won seven East Division Pennants, including four in the last six years, four Eastern Conference Championships, made four WHL final appearances and participated in two Memorial Cups.  Since the 1992-93 season when the club set a Canadian Hockey League record for the biggest single season improvement of 62 points, the club has won more games than any team in the Canadian Hockey League and has made the playoffs 15 of 16 years.  McCrimmon became a minority owner in 1992 and took over sole ownership of the club in 2000 purchasing the remainder of the club from longtime owner Bob Cornell.  McCrimmon is a former member of the WHL Board of Governors Executive Committee and currently sits as Chairman of the WHL Competitions Committee. 

 

 

Al Macpherson, Director of Player Personnel

As the director of player personnel, Al is responsible for the evalation 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
 

The Wheat Kings' coaching staff had a new face on board for the 2007-2008 Western Hockey League season. A former Wheat King all star, Darren Ritchie joined the WHL club after having served as an assistant with the Brandon AAA Midgets in 2006-07. This year will be his second in the WHL.

A Winnipeg product, the 34-year old Ritchie played four seasons in Brandon - from 1991-95 and was a member of the Wheat King club that participated in the '95 Memorial Cup Championship in Kamloops, B.C.
 
During his illustrious WHL career, Ritchie scored 152 goals (7th most in franchise history) and 278 points in 232 games. Following his WHL career, he spent nine seasons playing professional hockey in both North America and Europe.
 
Darren and wife Rhonda have two children - Quinn and Nolan.


 

Cam McGhee
 
Cam McGhee is entering his first season of Major Junior Hockey, having replaced John Fayed for the 2008-2009 Western Hockey League season.
 
A native of Hamiota, Cam arrives in Brandon after spending the past two seasons with the Northern Baseball League's Winnipeg Goldeyes.
As well, he served as trainer of the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 2007-08.