Saturday, August 21, 2010

David Toews to play with Brandon Wheat Kings

Press Release

Brandon, Manitoba – The Brandon Wheat Kings have announced that 20-year old right-winger David Toews will join the Western Hockey League club for the 2010-11 Western Hockey League season.

A sixth round selection of the Wheat Kings (117th overall) in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft, the Winnipeg product spent the past two seasons with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux in Grand Forks.

A third round pick (66th overall) of the New York Islanders in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Toews scored four goals and 15 points in 32 games for the Sioux in 2009-10. In two years with UND, the former Shattuck-St. Mary’s standout scored nine goals and 26 points in 55 games.

Toews, who played his minor hockey with the Dakota Lancers, St. Vital Victorias and Winnipeg Warriors, scored 100 points, including 44 goals in 51 games at Shattuck-St. Marys in 2007-08.

“We are excited to have David join our organization and look forward to the skill and offence that he will provide our team,” says Brandon coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon. “He is motivated and we expect him to have a good year.”

Toews will be one of several overage players competing for one of three spots on this year’s roster. Others include forward Shayne Wiebe, blueliners Mark Schneider and Darren Bestland as well as goalkeepers Andrew Hayes and Jacob DeSerres.

One 20-year old that won’t be back is left-winger Jordan Hale. The Lacombe, Alberta product had four goals, 11 points and 83 penalty minutes in 70 games last season. During his 3-years in Brandon, Hale scored nine goals and 25 points in 182 games, while accumulating 182 minutes in penalties.

In other player news announced Thursday, 19-year old defenceman Brodie Melnychuk has agreed to a Free Agent Training Camp tryout with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks.

The Balgonie, Saskatchewan product is coming off a solid season that saw him score seven goals add 17 assists in 72 games.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

No comments: