The U16 Team Manitoba male hockey squad will have a local flavour as it competes in the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Veteran coach Garth Mitchell of Elkhorn has been tapped as the team’s bench boss. Oak Lake product Brian Elder, now of Wawanesa, will serve as the team’s goalie consultant. The former Brandon Wheat King and pro netminder is the Virden Oil Capitals’ head scout.
Southwest Cougars midget AAA teammates Grady Lane of Virden and Oak Lake’s Hunter Wallace will represent the province at the Winter Games in Red Deer, Feb. 15-23.
Lane, who has battled an injury, has three goals and five points in 17 games this season. Wallace has 11 goals and 19 points in 25 games.
Yellowhead Chiefs Colby Wotton of Foxwarren and Strathclair’s Connor Geekie also were selected to the team.
The roster for the female Team Manitoba competing at the Winter Games has not yet been announced.
