This winter Bray Rookes, the son of Michael and Leanne Rookes is an assistant captain for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League team. The 6-foot, 214-pound defenceman had two goals and seven points in 31 games at the MJHL Christmas Break.
“Bray has been a very good Oil Cap. He gives an honest effort each and every night and when he keeps his game simple and uses his big frame to be hard to play against, he is a very valuable player for us. He has been a great leader off the ice and very good role model for our younger guys,” said Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey, whose Oil Capitals open 2023 with contests in OCN on Friday and Saturday.
Rookes has appreciated the opportunity to compete at a high level near Manson.
“Playing junior so close to home gives me the opportunity to tie the Oil Caps in with the community more closely,” he said. “Knowing what events are coming up and helping guys know what’s going on in the community is a big plus.”
Just before the Christmas break, Rookes played in his 150th regular season game for the Oil Capitals. He tries to use that experience and his community connection to help lead a young squad.
“Playing 150 games gives me the experience to know what to expect in all circumstances and keep our team aware on how to handle situations.” Rookes said. “I work in the community for Fountain Tire in the mornings, so I have good relationships with our sponsors and fans. That gives me the opportunity to relay feedback and messages from the community. I am also super competitive, which I bring to the rink and that makes our whole team more elite.”
In his final junior season, the 20-year-old has found himself competing on the MJHL ice against his brother Kurt. The younger Rookes is a 17-year-old rookie defenceman for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
“Playing against my brother Kurt is very natural for me,” the eldest Rookes brother said. “In every golf round, mini stick game or snowball fight, I had to play against him. With so much family and friends watching us play, I played off adrenaline every shift.”
Both Rookes brothers are cheered on in the MJHL by their family. Bray Rookes said his family members are the biggest hockey fans.
“Everyone knows who plays in the MJHL and when someone gets traded in the league it’s the talk of the group chat,” he said. “It makes it very exciting for me to play every night because I know my family is analyzing how the game is going.”
Next fall Rookes plans to study agribusiness at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Along with hockey, farming has long been one of his passions.
“I am motivated to work in the field of agriculture working towards regenerative and sustainable farming practices,” Rookes said.
