dagley
02-05-2008, 09:53 PM
Brandon, Manitoba -- The Brandon Wheat Kings welcome a special guest to Wednesday's Western Hockey League game as they kick off a mini 2-game homestand against the defending Champion Medicine Hat Tigers.
Ray Ferraro, who currently provides color analysis for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers on Rogers Sportsnet, will be back in Brandon to perform the ceremonial opening face-off. A former WHL Player of the Year, the Trail, B.C. native is in western Manitoba this week to serve as one of the keynote speakers at the 2008 Sportsman's Dinner, to be held Thursday night in the Keystone Centre's UCT Pavillion.
A fifth round draft choice of the Hartford Whalers, Ferraro played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League, including six with the Whalers. It was with the New York Islanders in 1991-92 that he enjoyed his best season in the NHL, scoring 40 goals and 80 points.
In addition to the Whalers and Islanders, the former Wheat King spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers, Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues. During his illustrious career, the father of Red Deer Rebels' 16-year old rookie Landon, scored 408 goals and 898 points in 1,258 games.
In Brandon, Ferraro enjoyed what could be described as the best single season for anyone in the history of the WHL. After helping Portland win the '83 Memorial Cup, he was part of a blockbuster trade involving the Winter Hawks and Wheat Kings and in 1983-84 he established a WHL record for Most goals scored in a single season (108). Among his teammates in Brandon that year were goalkeeper Ron Hextall, defencemen Cam Plante and Gord Paddock as well as forwards Stacy Pratt, Brad Wells and Dave Thomlinson.
The Wheat Kings enter Wednesday's game with a record of 31-19-0-2, good for 64 points and fourth place in the WHL's Eastern Division. As for the Conference, Brandon and Medicine Hat are tied for 7th place in a very tight race. In fact, only three points separate fourth place and 8th place in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday's action. Brandon closes out this home stand on Friday against Prince Albert, before travelling to Saskatoon to meet the Blades on Saturday night in what will be the first of another 5-game road trip - the club's third of the season and second in less than a month.
Ferraro joins master of ceremonies Dennis Hull and comedian John Caponera at Thursday's dinner, which is held annually to raise money for the hockey club's Scholarship Foundation. A Celebrity Sports Auction will aslo be held and will feture a number of terrific items such as a Wayne Gretzky autographed Edmonton Oilers jersey, an autographed Mats Sundin jersey from the Toronto Maple Leafs' captain, a Phildelphia Flyers autographed jersey from Ron Hextall, an autographed NBA basketball from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as well as Colby Robak's game jersey worn at last month's Top Prospects Game in Edmonton.
Although tickets to Thursday's dinner are hard to come by, plenty of tickets remain for Wednesday's game between the Wheat Kings and Tigers. Western Manitoba hockey fans can order them by visiting the Keystone box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca
Ray Ferraro, who currently provides color analysis for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers on Rogers Sportsnet, will be back in Brandon to perform the ceremonial opening face-off. A former WHL Player of the Year, the Trail, B.C. native is in western Manitoba this week to serve as one of the keynote speakers at the 2008 Sportsman's Dinner, to be held Thursday night in the Keystone Centre's UCT Pavillion.
A fifth round draft choice of the Hartford Whalers, Ferraro played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League, including six with the Whalers. It was with the New York Islanders in 1991-92 that he enjoyed his best season in the NHL, scoring 40 goals and 80 points.
In addition to the Whalers and Islanders, the former Wheat King spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers, Atlanta Thrashers and St. Louis Blues. During his illustrious career, the father of Red Deer Rebels' 16-year old rookie Landon, scored 408 goals and 898 points in 1,258 games.
In Brandon, Ferraro enjoyed what could be described as the best single season for anyone in the history of the WHL. After helping Portland win the '83 Memorial Cup, he was part of a blockbuster trade involving the Winter Hawks and Wheat Kings and in 1983-84 he established a WHL record for Most goals scored in a single season (108). Among his teammates in Brandon that year were goalkeeper Ron Hextall, defencemen Cam Plante and Gord Paddock as well as forwards Stacy Pratt, Brad Wells and Dave Thomlinson.
The Wheat Kings enter Wednesday's game with a record of 31-19-0-2, good for 64 points and fourth place in the WHL's Eastern Division. As for the Conference, Brandon and Medicine Hat are tied for 7th place in a very tight race. In fact, only three points separate fourth place and 8th place in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday's action. Brandon closes out this home stand on Friday against Prince Albert, before travelling to Saskatoon to meet the Blades on Saturday night in what will be the first of another 5-game road trip - the club's third of the season and second in less than a month.
Ferraro joins master of ceremonies Dennis Hull and comedian John Caponera at Thursday's dinner, which is held annually to raise money for the hockey club's Scholarship Foundation. A Celebrity Sports Auction will aslo be held and will feture a number of terrific items such as a Wayne Gretzky autographed Edmonton Oilers jersey, an autographed Mats Sundin jersey from the Toronto Maple Leafs' captain, a Phildelphia Flyers autographed jersey from Ron Hextall, an autographed NBA basketball from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as well as Colby Robak's game jersey worn at last month's Top Prospects Game in Edmonton.
Although tickets to Thursday's dinner are hard to come by, plenty of tickets remain for Wednesday's game between the Wheat Kings and Tigers. Western Manitoba hockey fans can order them by visiting the Keystone box office, by calling 726-3555 or online at ticketmaster.ca