Wheat Kings Training Camp Coverage is driven by
If the late Red Sanders was alive today, he might have a hard time understanding the purpose behind the WHL’s East Division Hub season. The legendary UCLA Football Coach famously penned the quote “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” while teaching a phys-ed class in 1950.
That quote has since adorned many locker room walls in all facets of sports, and even found its way onto the cover of a 1956 Rose Bowl edition of Sports Illustrated magazine.
With the 24-game regular season set to begin on Friday, and very little clarity on a potential playoff or division banner at the end of this venture, many hockey pundits have wondered what is the point?
“You want to keep developing guys but at the same time you want to win,” said Assistant Coach Mark Derlago. “Guys would be lying to you if they said they were here to develop and weren’t here to win. We’re all hockey players and are all competitive. We will be playing to win that’s for sure.”
After almost a full calendar year away from competition, many inside the Wheat King locker room are itching at the chance to face off against a real opponent.
“At the end of the day, every guy in that room is wired the same way… they want to win,” said forward Jake Chiasson. “It all comes down to morale off the ice as well. As everyone in hockey knows, it’s a lot more fun when you’re winning. Everyone will have a better chance at individual success and development if we are winning as a team.”
The Wheat Kings were one of the hottest teams in the WHL when the season was put on pause. Brandon was 20-4 down the stretch and appeared poised to meet up with the Winnipeg ICE in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite the long off-season, the bar remains high.
“We have high expectations for this team,” said forward Nate Danielson. “We expect to win every night and that’s what we are here to do.”
The Wheat Kings open up their abbreviated season on Friday vs the Moose Jaw Warriors. (4:00 p.m. on Q Country Radio.)
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