By James Shewaga /

The Brandon Wheat Kings have gone across the country chasing the Memorial Cup four times in franchise history.

But in 2010, the Memorial Cup finally comes to them.

The Western Hockey League unanimously approved Brandon as the host city for the 2010 tournament at the league’s board of governors meeting in Calgary on Oct. 15.

“I’m proud of the organization and really happy for the city of Brandon and for the people in the province of Manitoba that they will have the opportunity to be part of this event,” said Kelly McCrimmon, the Wheat Kings owner, head coach and general manager.

“It is one of Canada’s premier sporting events and an opportunity for Brandonites and Manitobans to show the rest of the country how good of hosts we are.”

The Wheat Kings were scheduled to face off against bids from the Everett Silvertips and Kelowna Rockets, but both teams pulled out of the running after watching Brandon’s presentation. Everett and Kelowna were prepared to offer bigger profit guarantees due to the size of their buildings — Everett seats 8,149 and Kelowna 6,007 compared to Brandon’s 5,102-seat Westman Place. But the Wheat Kings’ tradition and 42-year history in the WHL carried the day.

“The Brandon Wheat Kings are one of the longest-standing franchises in WHL history and this community has earned the right to host our national showcase,” said WHL commissioner Rob Robison.

It will be the Wheat Kings’ fifth appearance in the Memorial Cup — but first as the host team — after coming up short in the 1996, 1995 and 1979 tournaments. The Wheat Kings also lost the decisive game to the Montreal Royals back in 1949 in an epic eight-game Memorial Cup series that pre-dated the formation of the WHL.

The 2010 Memorial Cup is scheduled for May 14-23, giving the Wheat Kings 18 months to prepare for their turn in the national spotlight. The Wheat Kings’ roster currently features some of the best young talent in the WHL with the likes of 17-year-old budding phenom Brayden Schenn, and could potentially return as many as 18 players next season, giving Brandon a strong base to build from.

“We’re confident that we will return a good nucleus for the 2009-2010 team,” said McCrimmon. “From there, I think it’s imperative that we have a great (scouting) book on the league coming out of this year in terms of who might be players that could address needs and measuring who might be available. And then of course, the final piece of the equation is ‘at what cost?’

“And I think some of those decisions ... that would be specifically Memorial Cup-based, are going to come more likely next year than this year.”

ICINGS: Brandon Wheat Kings season ticket holders will get first crack at Memorial Cup packages before they go on sale to the general public ... The 2009 Memorial Cup will be held in Rimouski, Que.