| Eastern Conference | |
| Barrie Colts | |
| Belleville Bulls | |
| Kingston Frontenacs | |
| Mississauga Steelheads | |
| Niagara IceDogs | |
| North Bay Battalion | |
| Oshawa Generals | |
| Ottawa 67's | |
| Peterborough Petes | |
| Sudbury Wolves | |
| Western Conference | |
| Erie Otters | |
| Guelph Storm | |
| Kitchener Rangers | |
| London Knights | |
| Owen Sound Attack | |
| Plymouth Whalers | |
| Saginaw Spirit | |
| Sarnia Sting | |
| Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | |
| Windsor Spitfires | |
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Kelly McCrimmon, Governor, General Manager |
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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 2011. 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. |
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Al Macpherson, Director of Player Personnel |
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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. |
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Dwayne Gylywoychuk, Head Coach |
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A native of Winnipeg, Dwayne was named head coach of the Wheat Kings in August. A 39-year old native of Winnipeg, he joined the club's coaching staff in 2003. In addition to his duties on the ice, the former Brandon blueliner serves as coordinator of the annual Wheat Kings' Hockey School each summer. 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 he played eight seasons of professional hockey. |
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Darren Ritchie, Assistant Coach |
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Darren is entering his sixth season as a Wheat Kings’ assistant coach and his second year as a full time member of the organization. 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. |
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David Anning, Assistant Coach |
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A 27-year old Winnipeg native, David Anning joined the Wheat Kings in October after beginning the year as an assistant coach and assistant GM of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Steinbach Pistons. A former member of the Winnipeg Saints, Anning comes to the Wheat Kings with a wealth of MJHL coaching experience. Before joining Steinbach, he had spent two years with the Saints as their head coach and general manager, leading the team to the playoffs both years. Before joining the Saints, Anning spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Dauphin Kings. |
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Brent Zelenewich - Goaltending Coach |
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| Brent takes over as the club's Goaltender Coach from Matt Cockell, who stepped aside this past summer. A proven winner who won a National Championship (RBC Cup) and several league championships (CIS, MJHL and AJHL), Brent brings a vast degree of experience and knowledge to the WHL club. In addition to his responsibilities with the Wheat Kings, Brent is currently an instructor at the MTS IcePlex and the Ice Lab goaltending training facility in Winnipeg. | |
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Grant Ammann, Athletic Therapist |
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A 31-year old native of Aldergrove, B.C., Ammann joined the Wheat Kings in 2011 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 the most recent Canada Winter Games. |
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