Saturday, August 24, 2013

Johnston back with Wheat Kings

Press Release

Brandon, MB. – One day after introducing their new director of scouting, the Brandon Wheat Kings have announced the return of a familiar face to the Western Hockey League club.

Mark Johnson has been named the club’s new Head Scout and will join the team immediately.

A former Wheat King blueliner in the early seventies, Johnston spent eleven years with the club as both an assistant coach and scout. Over the past twelve years the 58-year old Wawanesa product has served as Manitoba scout for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets.

His primary responsibilities with the Wheat Kings will be scouting Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

On Thursday, Wade Klippenstein was introduced as the WHL club’s new director of scouting, replacing Al Macpherson, who had been with the organization since 1986.

Klippenstein and Johnston join a club that features a wealth of scouting experience. In addition to Senior Scout Gary Michalick of Winnipeg, the Wheat Kings employ Mike Fraser, Nestor Chomik and Wayne Commodore in Alberta, Derrick Kemp in Saskatchewan as well as Dennis McNish and Frank Harding in Manitoba.

Wheat Kings' Training Camp begins Tuesday, with Rookie registrations at the Keystone Centre. The on ice sessions will begin Wednesday morning at Westman Communications Group Place.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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