– The Brandon Wheat Kings continue their three-game trek by visiting the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night. The road hasn’t been overly kind to the Wheat Kings in the second half, with the club having won just three of 11 games away from home since the holiday break. Brandon enters action two points behind Swift Current for first-place in the East Division with two games in hand. You can hear the contest on CKLQ, with our pre-game show starting at 7:30 p.m. For more on the Wheat Kings, visit Bruce Luebke’s blog at http://luberslounge.blogspot.ca/.
– The WHL player of the week is Kootenay Ice forward Sam Reinhart. Reinhart recorded three goals, 11 points and a plus-eight rating in leading the Ice to three straight wins during that span.
– Yellowhead Chiefs’ forward Tanner Koroscil is the Manitoba ‘AAA’ Midget Hockey League’s player of the week. The Birtle product had three goals, four points and a plus-four rating in the helping the Chiefs win two of their final three regular season games to a force a tiebreaker for the last playoff spot. Yellowhead is welcoming the Interlake Lightning on Tuesday night with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. in Shoal Lake.
– Year-end award winners have been unveiled in the Westman High School Hockey League. Brock Paddock of the Rivers/Elton Rage and Ty Moffat of the Deloraine/Hartney Colts are sharing MVP honours. Brayden Cullum of the Major Pratt Trojans was recognized as the top forward while the best defenceman is teammate David Dunn. Clark Whelpton of the Vincent Massey Vikings was named the most sportsmanlike player.
– Portage Terriers’ netminder Talor Joseph is the MJHL’s player of the week. Joseph went 2-0 while posting 1.00 goals against average and a .967 save percentage.
– The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have acquired defensive back Chris Randle from the Calgary Stampeders and signed him to a contract extension. In the 16 games he started last season, he had 34 defensive tackles, eight tackles on special teams and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
– Jovon Johnson will not be returning to Winnipeg. The 2011 CFL most outstanding defensive player will be heading to free agency after spending six seasons with the Bombers.
– The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed defensive back Paul Woldu and inked newly aquired receiver Jade Etienne to a contract. Last season, Woldu led the riders with 21 special teams tackles while Etienne made 19 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns with the Bombers before coming over in a trade for QB Drew Willy. Saskatchewan also released three players in LB Diamond Ferri, RB Chris Garrett, and DB Milt Collins.
– Long snapper Chris Cvetkovic is calling it quits after 11 seasons with Winnipeg. Cvetkovic finishes his career with 161 games, 66 special teams tackles and will retire as one of the most recognizable members of the community as a Blue Bomber.
– Saskatchewan fullback Graeme Bell has retired as Grey Cup champion. Bell appeared in 97 regular season games over nine CFL seasons and 18 career carries for 66 yards and one touchdown while adding seven receptions for 28 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 60 career special teams tackles.
– Kyle Lowry had 19 points and 12 assists and Patrick Patterson poured in a season-high 22 points as the Raptors held on to beat the Pelicans 108-101. Toronto is 27-24 and lead the Atlantic Division by three games.
