Led By An Incredible Person

The fact that there hasn't been an announcement from the MFHL is rather strange considering that leagues don't often add teams on a regular basis, but it seems that the demands from the southwestern portion of the province were heard by both Hockey Brandon and Hockey Manitoba. While the Westman Wildcats and the Yellowhead Chiefs do a great job in developing Manitoba girls into high-level hockey players, there was certainly a void on the map when it came to the province's second-largest city. That void will be erased this season, though, as Hockey Brandon, Hockey Manitoba, and the MFHL agreed on the approval for the U18AAA Brandon Wheat Kings female team will join the circuit for the 2024-25 season!

The addition the Brandon Wheat Kings pushes the MFHL to nine teams as the Wheaties will compete against the defending champion Winnipeg Ice, the Winnipeg Avros, the Pembina Valley Hawks, the Westman Wildcats, the Yellowhead Chiefs, the Central Plains Capitals, the Eastman Selects, and the Interlake Lightning. Obviously, that means as many as 20 more girls will play AAA hockey in Manitoba this winter which is exciting growth, but it also makes the pool of players that can move onto postsecondary school hockey programs even deeper. If you're a fan of the women's game, this is where a lot of the women playing professionally got their starts in Manitoba!

No one said that starting a new team will be easy as there are hundreds of things that have to be done at the outset before the first jersey is hung in a locker room, but it seems that the Wheat Kings will be led by one of the sharpest minds I've ever encountered in the game as former Bisons sniper Karissa Kirkup has been named as the team's first head coach!

Kirkup's success in the Brandon hockey community is no surprise, and her appointment to this position seemed almost elementary considering the success she's had at the U15 level where she led the Wheat Kings to their third consecutive championship in the 17-team Winnipeg U15 AAA Hockey League this past spring. Having her move up to the U18 level where she'll be familiar with a lot of the players who came through that U15 program could make for a much stronger team this season thanks to that continuity.

Kirkup, however, isn't just looking to rebuild those rosters she watched over at the U15 level. Her requirements at the U18 level sound a lot like how she played the game.

"I'm looking for players with a high compete level every time they are on the ice," Kirkup told Jules Xavier of The Brandon Sun. "They have to be good skaters of course, be able to communicate well on the ice, and have a positive attitude. For me, players need to work hard every shift and have a positive attitude. They need to battle even if they lose the puck... what is your next move without the puck?"

What may slow the Wheat Kings down a little is that some of their best players are playing for other teams after not having a U18 AAA team for so long. Knowing Kirkup, though, her team will make up any differences through hard work and solid team play - two hallmarks of her U15 teams. However, with some U18 AAA teams already having camps to determine their 2024-25 rosters, the Wheat Kings may be starting at the back of the pack in the arms race for elite-level talent this season.

"With this being our inaugural season, the team still has a lot to do to establish ourselves once we have a roster," Kirkup admitted. "It's interesting to see teams having tryouts this early, as you'll have the trickle-down effect as players cut in Winnipeg will look to teams like Eastman and Central Plains to play on."

Who lines up on the roster for Kirkup will ultimately be in her hands, but who attends tryouts is something she's letting Hockey Brandon and Hockey Manitoba sort out when it comes to player transfers. Administrative stuff aside, Kirkup knows her responsibility is also more than just winning games.

"I want to help these girls to the next level, not just what they do on the ice," she told Xavier, "and school and hockey are big stepping stones for players at the AAA level. There has to be balance playing hockey, student life and making friendships."

"You have to value the academic side of your life, not just playing hockey," she continued. "I plan on doing what's best for each individual athlete playing for this team to reach their potential. Where will they be one, two or three years from now? You still have to take your school seriously because hockey can complete your academic goals. Hockey can help that if you realize you're a student first, and an athlete second."

Those are wise words from a woman who knows what it takes to be a champion at the highest academic level this counntry has to offer, and I suspect the U18 Wheat Kings are going to make some noise this season. The MFHL is ultra-competitive with four teams finishing between 18-20 wins last season with five of eight teams finishing with records above .500. Judging the first-year Wheat Kings on wins and losses alone isn't entirely fair, but we should give some weight to how many girls move on to play at postsecondary institutions. That's a point of pride among all the coaches in the MFHL, and Kirkup already has that mindset.

"I will push the girls to be their best and will do everything I can as coach to make it happen," she confidently told Xavier. "As a player I learned a lot of life lessons, and will share those with the girls I'm coaching this season."

Honestly, I'm excited to see where Kirkup leads her team this season. Getting a new team up and off the ground is a huge task for any league and coach, but Kirkup has never shied away from a challenge in her hockey career. She's a brilliant hockey mind, has a keen eye for talent, and is an excellent communicator, so I suspect that the players who suit up under her watch will go on to do incredible things not only in their MFHL careers, but beyond this level of hockey.

For Kirkup, it seems she's just as ready for the challenge, telling Xavier, "I'm excited. This is going to be a lot of fun starting this team."

Congratulations to the city of Brandon who will see the U18 Brandon Wheat Kings, under the guidance of Karissa Kirkup, begin play in the MFHL next season at the J&G Homes Arena in southwest Brandon! Get out and support these women as often as you can before they're off and playing at the U SPORTS, NCAA, or international levels!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!