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Athletic director Don Thomson is retiring after 27 years at Neelin High School. Thomson coached Spartan teams to 13 AAA provincial titles during his time at the school. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Thomson ‘donated his whole life’ to Spartans

Thomas Friesen 22 minute read Thursday, Jun. 5, 2025

Kyle Smart figured he knew Don Thomson well enough to have a little fun after playing four years of volleyball and basketball for him.

“He was that person that if you needed to talk about something, whether it was school related, family related, personal, breakup with a girlfriend,” Smart said. “He was a second dad for everybody who’s ever played for him.

“We had a good relationship, so we’d play practical jokes.”

So on a spring day in 2002, he rallied the boys, armed them with toilet paper and headed outside.

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Neelin rolls through BU boys’ volleyball tourney

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Neelin rolls through BU boys’ volleyball tourney

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 23, 2024

The Neelin Spartans dominated AAA volleyball last year. Now they’re taking down just about anyone who crosses their path in Manitoba.

A star-studded Spartans squad cruised to the Brandon University varsity boys’ volleyball tournament title on Saturday, outscoring four opponents 202-122 in eight sets.

“We knew there were going to be challenging teams in this tournament but our week of practice really led up to where we were today in the final,” said left side Kal-El Wilson, who was named tournament MVP. “Our team has been working very hard this week with transition and getting a swing on every ball so it was good.”

They’re a week removed from a second-place finish at the University of Winnipeg tournament, where most of the best teams play to see where they stack up. Neelin beat Springfield, Mennonite Brethren, St. Paul’s and last year’s AA champion Gabrielle-Roy before falling to Glenlawn in the final.

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Monday, Sep. 23, 2024
Neelin rolls through BU boys’ volleyball tourney

Westman Wildcats teammates commit to ACC

By Lucas Punkari 3 minute read Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

Westman Wildcats forward Billie Baranyk and goaltender Payton Murray will be joining the Assiniboine Community College Cougars women’s hockey program this fall.

Jones shares ball-striking secrets

7 minute read Preview

Jones shares ball-striking secrets

7 minute read Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

Drew Jones is ready for an obscure kind of beach day as soon as the snow melts.

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Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

Brandon’s Drew Jones will practise iron play in fairway bunkers early in the golf season as it exaggerates poor contact. It’s one of many ways the 28-year-old has developed into one of the best ball strikers in Westman. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Brandon’s Drew Jones will practise iron play in fairway bunkers early in the golf season as it exaggerates poor contact. It’s one of many ways the 28-year-old has developed into one of the best ball strikers in Westman. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Bazin makes impact in return to Virden

By Lucas Punkari 7 minute read Preview

Bazin makes impact in return to Virden

By Lucas Punkari 7 minute read Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

It’s been a successful return to the Virden Oil Capitals for forward Roux Bazin.

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Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

Roux Bazin is tied for second in playoff scoring for the Virden Oil Capitals after recording six points in the team’s quarterfinal round series with the OCN Blizzard. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
Roux Bazin is tied for second in playoff scoring for the Virden Oil Capitals after recording six points in the team’s quarterfinal round series with the OCN Blizzard. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)

Malyavin thrilled with transition to Brandon

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Malyavin thrilled with transition to Brandon

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

In a second straight season of transition, Andrei Malyavin fell in love all over again.

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Thursday, Apr. 6, 2023

Russian defenceman Andrei Malyavin (44) of the Brandon Wheat Kings warms up on March 24 prior to the team’s last home game of the season against the Winnipeg Ice at Westoba Place. He was happy with his first season in the Western Hockey League. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Russian defenceman Andrei Malyavin (44) of the Brandon Wheat Kings warms up on March 24 prior to the team’s last home game of the season against the Winnipeg Ice at Westoba Place. He was happy with his first season in the Western Hockey League. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Defending champion Kings drop pair to Stampeders

6 minute read Preview

Defending champion Kings drop pair to Stampeders

6 minute read Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

STAMPEDERS VS. KINGS

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Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

Dauphin Kings forward Jakob Brook has his shot stopped by Swan Valley Stampeders netminder Kobe Grant during Game 2 of their Manitoba Junior Hockye League quarterfinal series at Credit Union Place on Saturday night. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
Dauphin Kings forward Jakob Brook has his shot stopped by Swan Valley Stampeders netminder Kobe Grant during Game 2 of their Manitoba Junior Hockye League quarterfinal series at Credit Union Place on Saturday night. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)

Predators settle for second at Cats Classic

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Predators settle for second at Cats Classic

By Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

This Predators Volleyball Club team is hard-working and fearless. It plays the right way.

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Monday, Mar. 27, 2023
Predators settle for second at Cats Classic

U18 AAA WEEKEND ROUNDUP

6 minute read Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

BOYS

McMullan plays OT hero for U17s

3 minute read Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

Loughlan McMullan scored in overtime as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Winnipeg Wild 3-2 in the Winnipeg Hockey League’s U17 AAA division at the BellMTS Iceplex.

Spartans to use BSSI showing as a building block

By Lucas Punkari 6 minute read Preview

Spartans to use BSSI showing as a building block

By Lucas Punkari 6 minute read Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

For high school basketball teams, how they look in the opening tournament of the season isn’t always the best indicator of what they’ll be like when the provincials roll around.

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Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

Max Winters of the Neelin Spartans leaps up to make a shot during his team's Brandon Sun Spartans Invititational Tier 1 semifinal game with the Dakota Lancers on Saturday afternoon at the Healthy Living Centre. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
Max Winters of the Neelin Spartans leaps up to make a shot during his team's Brandon Sun Spartans Invititational Tier 1 semifinal game with the Dakota Lancers on Saturday afternoon at the Healthy Living Centre. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)

Trojans win fifth straight Tier 1 crown

By Lucas Punkari 5 minute read Preview

Trojans win fifth straight Tier 1 crown

By Lucas Punkari 5 minute read Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

After not being able to make the trip to the Wheat City during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vincent Massey Trojans picked up right where they left off at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational.

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Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

Winnipeg's Vincent Massey Trojans captured their fifth straight Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational Tier 1 title on Saturday. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)
Winnipeg's Vincent Massey Trojans captured their fifth straight Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational Tier 1 title on Saturday. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun)

Sports Looking Back: Dec. 19, 2022

2 minute read Monday, Dec. 19, 2022

ON TELEVISION

Ice rally to beat Wheat Kings 4-3 again

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

The Brandon Wheat Kings blew a 3-2 lead late in the third period against the Winnipeg Ice for the third time this season as Owen Pederson scored his second goal of the game in overtime for a 4-3 victory in Western Hockey League action at Wayne Fleming Arena on Saturday.

Pre-school decision a good one for Shipley

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

Pre-school decision a good one for Shipley

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

When Luke Shipley is doling out the Christmas presents next week, he probably shouldn’t forget the person who got him into hockey.

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Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

Prince Albert Raiders Keaton Sorensen skates with the puck behind Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason's net while defenceman Luke Shipley (27) gives chase during their Western Hockey League game in Prince Albert last week. Shipley has four points in eight games since arriving in Brandon. (Nathan Reiter/Prince Albert Daily Herald)
Prince Albert Raiders Keaton Sorensen skates with the puck behind Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Carson Bjarnason's net while defenceman Luke Shipley (27) gives chase during their Western Hockey League game in Prince Albert last week. Shipley has four points in eight games since arriving in Brandon. (Nathan Reiter/Prince Albert Daily Herald)

Icy roads force WHL game’s postponement

By Perry Bergson 5 minute read Preview

Icy roads force WHL game’s postponement

By Perry Bergson 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

Some winter weather and bad driving conditions came between the Brandon Wheat Kings and their scheduled game with the Winnipeg Ice on Friday evening.

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Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

Brandon Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray, shown at a recent practice, was on the phone with the Winnipeg Ice as they tried to navigate their way to Brandon. The game was ultimately postponed late in the afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Brandon Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray, shown at a recent practice, was on the phone with the Winnipeg Ice as they tried to navigate their way to Brandon. The game was ultimately postponed late in the afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

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