Brandon, MB. – Brandon Wheat Kings’ Head Coach David Anning has introduced the hockey club’s Leadership group for the 2016-17 Western Hockey League season.

Anning says that when the Wheat Kings take to the ice Saturday night in a game against the visiting Red Deer Rebels, 18-year old center Nolan Patrick will be wearing the “C” on his jersey.

Patrick, who is entering his third season in the WHL, becomes the 59th Captain in franchise history, replacing graduated blueliner Macoy Erkamps, who is currently skating with the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators.

The WHL Playoff Most Valuable Player in last year’s playoffs, the Winnipeg product is expected to be an early first round selection in the 2017 National Hockey League Draft.

Patrick is coming off an outstanding season that saw him finish fifth in the league scoring race with 41 goals and 102 points in 72 regular season games. He then added thirteen goals and 30 points in 21 playoff games to edge out Brandon teammate Jayce Hawryluk by a point.

A former first round bantam draft choice of the Wheat Kings, Patrick became the first 17-year old Wheat King to reach the century mark in points last season, since Ray Allison and Brian Propp both did it in 1976-77.

Winner of the Manitoba Hydro Turk Broda Top Manitoba Born Player Award in 2016, the former AAA Midget Thrasher has scored 73 goals and 162 points in 162 career games.

Entering the second weekend of regular season play, Patrick has a goal and three points in two games.

Meanwhile two local products and another former first round bantam selection have been named alternates.

20-year old Tyler Coulter will be joined by center Tanner Kaspick and defenceman Kale Clague.

A 4-year WHL veteran, Coulter has scored 46 goals and 113 points in 198 career WHL games while Kaspick and Clague have scored 50 and 57 points respectively through their first two years in Brandon. While Clague was the first player chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in June’s NHL draft, Kaspick was selected in the fourth round by the St. Louis Blues.

Kaspick, who is expected to make his season debut with the Wheat Kings on Saturday after being returned by the Blues earlier this week, was chosen the WHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year in 2015-16.

Brandon plays back to back home games this weekend and tickets to both are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also purchase online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555. Saturday is Manitoba Hydro 50th Anniversary Fridge Magnet Schedule Giveaway Night.

WHEAT KINGS’ CAPTAINS – OVER THE YEARS:

Bob Gray, Bob Chrystal, Reg Abbott, Aggie Kukulowiecz, Phil Hilton, Claire Smith, Max Szturm, Dunc McCallum, Ed Ehrenverth, Geo Peary, Ted Taylor, Bob Ash, Bill Fairbairn, Jack Wells, Jack Brownlee, Mark Kennedy, Aurel Beaudin, Bob Fitchner, Earl Morris, Dwayne Pentland, Ron Chipperfield, Rick Blight, Dan Bonar, Dale McMullin, Murray Thomson, Brad McCrimmon, Don Dietrich, Kelly McCrimmon, Ken Schneider, Tony Camazzola, Sid Cranston, Cam Plante, Lee Trim, Murray Rice, Terry Yake, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Cam Brown, Brian Purdy, Jeff Hoad, Marty Murray, Chris Dingman, Darren Van Oene, Dan Tetrault, Brad Twordik, Brett Girard, Ryan Craig, Tim Konsorada, Teegan Moore, Mark Derlago, Daryl Boyle, Keith Aulie, Matt Calvert, Brayden Schenn, Shayne Wiebe, Mark Stone, Ryan Pulock, Peter Quenneville and Macoy Erkamps