By James Shewaga /

He regularly receives straight A’s in the classroom, but it was a ‘C’ that Keith Aulie wanted most this year.

The 19-year-old Brandon blueliner — the Western Hockey League’s scholastic player of the year in 2007 — was named the 51st captain in Wheat Kings history.

For Aulie, the captain’s ‘C’ is a natural fit for a player who has always conducted himself as a team leader on and off the ice during his four seasons in the WHL.

“It’s a huge thing for me and I don’t take it lightly,” said Aulie, an honours student who graduated Grade 12 with an eye-popping 93% average and is continuing his studies by taking calculus classes at Brandon University.

“In our room, there is a list of captains on the wall and just looking at those names and seeing the great guys that are on that list, it really gives you a good feeling. It’s good to have the opportunity to help lead a team that I think is going to go deep in the playoffs this year.”

At 6-6 and 222 pounds, Aulie is an imposing figure on the ice and a popular presence in the community off the ice.

“I think you’ve got to be a complete person and I’ve always been told you are only as good of a hockey player as you are a person,” said Aulie, a native of Rouleau, Sask., who was Brandon’s first-round pick (11th overall) in the 2004 WHL bantam draft and was the Calgary Flames’ fourth-round pick (116th overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft.

“On the ice is a huge part of it and that’s what we’re all here for, but at the same time I think being a well-rounded person and doing stuff in the community is huge.”

When it comes to leading by example, Aulie set the standard this season, coming into training camp rated as the most fit player overall among the Wheat Kings’ 20 veterans.

Aulie topped all players in leg strength with a maximum squat of 412.5 pounds and in vertical leap (30 inches), while also posting the third-best maximum bench press (245 pounds).

For Wheat Kings head coach/general manager Kelly McCrimmon, Aulie was the natural choice to lead his team.

“Keith has all the traits that we would look for in a captain,” said McCrimmon. “I think that he’s improved every year in terms of his role and responsibility with our team ... He brings a real discipline and commitment to the game and is very respected by his teammates.”

ICINGS: One week after settling on veterans Joe Caligiuri, 19, and Andrew Hayes, 18, as their goaltending tandem, the Wheat Kings crowded the crease by trading for James Priestner, 17, on Sept. 29 ... Defenceman Chad Erb was knocked out of the lineup indefinitely after losing four teeth and suffering jaw damage when hit in the face by a puck in a game on Sept. 27.