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He was the hero as his goal in overtime sent the Brandon U-18 Wheat Kings to the Telus Cup.

Before that, he dominated regular season play with 90 points and posted 20 playoff points in nine games as the Wheat Kings put together one of the greatest seasons in Canadian AAA history. He sparkled on the national stage with 11 points in 7 games at the national tournament. It was a season to remember for Brady Turko of McCreary.

While helping propel Brandon to a provincial title, the Parkland star was called up to play with the big boys as Brady played seven games with the Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He did not look out of place at all scoring his first goal and posting two assists.

Brady knew he was ready to play at the next level and that's exactly what he is doing as Turko is 29 games into his first full season with the Wheat Kings. Playing out of Westoba Place in Brandon, Brady grew up watching the Wheat Kings play and he's now played 18 games on home ice in front of his family and friends.

"It's absolutely a dream come true. I grew up idolizing players that played on this team and being able to be in the same rink they played in is very special," said Turko. "To do it this close to home makes it that much more special. So many guys are playing on teams very far away from their families and I'm very close. To have family at every game is special and something I don't take for granted."

Brady's first game of the season was the team's home opener where he had one assist and Roger McQueen lit the lamp four times in a 5-2 win over Russell's Aiden Ziprick and the Moose Jaw Warriors. Turko has played in every game since as he's been slotted into the lineup for all 29 of the team's contests. 

The biggest crowd that Brady has played in front of this year was on December 1 when 7,226 fans packed Rogers Place in Edmonton, only to watch the home team lose, as Brady had his biggest night as a Wheat King with two goals and an assist as Brandon downed the Oil Kings decisively, 5-1.

"I think this year has been great. It took a little bit of an adjustment at the start, getting used to the pace of play and travel schedule," continued Turko. "Once I settled in, I started finding my way. We have a great group of guys and I'm looking forward to the second half of the season.

It was a slow start offensively to the season for Brady as he had four points in the first 19 games of the season. Since then, the McCreary star has caught fire. He has 10 points in his last 10 games, four of which have been goals.

Brady is 10th in team scoring with 14 points and his plus-7 rating is tied for fifth-best on the team.

"It was a slow start but once I got used to the pace of play and everything, things started to pick up for me," commented Turko. "On a personal level, I like how I'm playing right now. I've been able to find my offensive stride and feel quite confident in my abilities at this level."

The WHL's Eastern Conference is red-hot as Christmas approaches, with only six points separating first from ninth. Brandon, tied for fifth with Swift Current at 35 points and sporting a 15-9-3-2 record, is just four points behind Medicine Hat. The Wheat Kings won five of their last 10 games before the break.

With the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs, Turko and the Wheat Kings are gearing up for a strong push, aiming to secure a top spot. They’re also just three points behind Saskatoon for the East Division lead.

"It's fun to be a part of a race. It's tight and we're looking to pull away from some teams when we begin the second half," ended Turko. "To be only four points behind first place overall in the East puts us in a good spot. We have a lot of belief in our dressing room and it's an exciting opportunity for us to jump up the standings."

With the first half of their season in the books, Brady is looking forward to some time at home. He went to McCreary last Thursday and will head back to Brandon on Boxing Day.

"It's been a while since I've been home, looking forward to being around my family and friends at home," ended Turko. "I love going hunting and spending time outside. It's a great feeling to be home, a chance to recharge the mind and spend time with my loved ones."

Brandon returns from the break on December 27, hosting the Regina Pats at Westoba Place. They’ll then travel to Moose Jaw on December 28 to face Ziprick and the Warriors before wrapping up 2024 in Swift Current on December 30. Their first game of 2025 is on January 1 in Brandon against the Broncos, followed by a pair of road games in Saskatchewan on January 3-4.

On January 4, they’ll visit Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre to take on Roblin’s Brayden Dube and the Raiders.