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Lace em up
In this edition we have our second cover story of the year from Brandon. Angela Lovell, our Bureau Chief there, continues to provide interesting stories from Manitobas second city.
She profiles Kelly McCrimmon, the successful coach and owner of the fabled Brandon Wheat Kings Western Hockey League franchise. There are 21 teams in the WHL and the rivalry is fierce. Some of the franchises include Portland, Oregon; Vancouver and Kelowna; Prince Albert and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The concept of offering a high quality brand of hockey for smaller centres is a good one and fan support is strong. The Wheat Kings are in first place in their division and once again are on course to be in the playoffs.
In the past, the team has developed NHL-quality players such as Eric Fehr (Washington Capitals), Tyler Plante (Florida Panthers), Ryan Reaves (St. Louis Blues) and, in earlier years, Butch Deadmarsh, Laurie Boschman, Dave Semenko, and Bill Derlago.
This year Codey Burki, the teams and leagues leading scorer, was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round. So, not only is the team a contender for the playoffs, but the fans have a chance to watch a potential NHL star in action.
Next year, 2007, is the teams 40th Anniversary, so there will be something more to celebrate.
While Im on the topic, there is another hockey anniversary coming up - in Kenora. It is the 100th Anniversary of the Kenora Thistles winning the Stanley Cup. There will be a game and other events surrounding the anniversary on January 21. Kenora Municipal Telephone System is sponsoring the entire celebration. General Manager Dennis McCaffrey says it will be a great hockey event. He promoted it by giving me a keeper ball cap with an intricate embroidered logo to mark the occasion. Dennis knows my weakness for both hockey and caps.
Also in this edition is a full feature on Manitobas transportation sector, illustrating the size and diversity of the companies involved. Prime examples are Quick Transfer and Portage Cartage both privately owned by the Mueller family. I found the expansion of the apron at the new airport to handle the expected increase in air cargo to be significant. Without a doubt, transportation has always been the key to help Manitoba-made products access the world. Without cargo haulers, you may as well turn out the lights. See you next year.
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