AGRA RISK WHEATLAND KINGS
PRESEASON WEEK 1 REPORT
The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings opened the 2026 preseason with a strong weekend against the Okotoks Bisons, earning three of a possible four points through a 5-2 win Friday night in Strathmore and a 4-3 overtime loss Saturday in Okotoks.
It was an encouraging opening weekend for a Kings roster featuring a mix of returning players and several new faces. Wheatland showed an ability to create offence throughout the lineup, respond to adversity and compete in two very different games against a familiar South Division opponent.
GAME ONE
Agra Risk Wheatland Kings 5
Okotoks Bisons 2
The Kings opened the preseason on home ice with a convincing 5-2 victory at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Wheatland controlled the opening period, outshooting Okotoks 17-5 and building an early 2-0 advantage. Brody Stovka opened the scoring before Nash Wassing added a power-play goal late in the period.
Johnny Babkirk restored the two-goal advantage in the second after Okotoks got on the board, while Brayden Thurlow added a shorthanded marker in the third. Tripp McArthur finished the scoring late in regulation to secure the 5-2 win.
Connor White went the distance in goal, turning aside 30 of 32 shots.
The game became increasingly physical as the night progressed, with the two teams combining for 132 penalty minutes, including a third-period fight between Babkirk and Okotoks forward Gustav Rustebakke.
GAME TWO
Okotoks Bisons 4
Agra Risk Wheatland Kings 3 – OT
The Kings travelled to Okotoks the following night and nearly completed a third-period comeback before falling 4-3 in overtime.
Okotoks built a 2-0 lead before Adam Moore put Wheatland on the board late in the second period.
After the Bisons restored their two-goal advantage early in the third, the Kings responded with two unanswered goals. Moore scored his second of the night on the power play before Jaden Prairie Chicken tied the game at 3-3 just over three minutes later.
Nathan Flanagan scored 1:33 into overtime to give Okotoks the win.
Wheatland finished the night with a 34-29 advantage in shots. Moore led the offence with two goals and was named the Kings’ player of the game, while Emery Medicine Shield and Nash Wassing each recorded two assists.
WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS
The opening weekend provided a strong first look at the 2026-27 Kings.
Wheatland finished the weekend 1-0-1 while outscoring Okotoks 8-6 and generating 70 shots across the two games.
Several newcomers made immediate contributions. Brody Stovka, Nash Wassing, Johnny Babkirk, Brayden Thurlow, Tripp McArthur and Jaden Prairie Chicken all found the scoresheet, while returning forward Adam Moore led the weekend with three goals.
The Kings also showed strong special-teams production, scoring on both the power play and penalty kill over the weekend.
Most importantly for an opening preseason weekend, the group demonstrated an ability to respond. After falling behind 3-1 Saturday night, Wheatland scored twice in the third period to force overtime and secure a point.
With the first two exhibition games complete, the focus now shifts toward continuing to evaluate the roster, developing chemistry and preparing the group for the beginning of the regular season.
