Tuesday, August 3, 2021 brandonsun.com REPORT GAME RESULTS BEFORE 9 P.M. PHONE 204.571.7442 FAX 204.727.0385 Sports EMAIL [email protected] TRY TO BEAT THAT!: THE 1978-79 Propp fi lled the net consistently Propp

BY PERRY BERGSON football, he would probably be the quarterback of the Blue ’s fi ngerprints Bombers. He was just a natu- drawing remain all over the franchise ral athlete, and his body was records of the Brandon Wheat almost ideal. He wasn’t overly Kings, and it’s hard to see that stocky but he was strong.” changing anytime soon. DAVE McDONALD: “(Brian) a bead In 213 regular games was an unreal scorer and — he missed just three contests he wanted to win. I do remem- BY GREGG DRINNAN in his entire three-year Western ber one time we were playing Hockey League career — Propp in the playoffs and I scored a This story originally piled up an amazing 511 points. goal. He came by me and said appeared in the Dec. He also had 77 points in the ‘Well, it’s about time.’ (laughs) I 16, 1978 edition of the playoffs and 11 at the 1979 Me- guess I hadn’t scored in a while. Brandon Sun. morial Cup. It’s a team game and everybody By the end of this He even had a seven-goal has to score, not just the one game as a rookie on Jan. 25, line. It’s a team effort no matter season, Brandon Wheat 1977. Kings’ Brian Propp — Brian Propp what. He was very smart with In 1999, he was named to the the puck and he had a great barring injury — will own MasterCard Canadian Junior , low corner, far side, he every major offensive All-Time team alongside Mario not the smoothest skater and would put it there lots.” category in the circuit’s Lemieux, Guy Lafl eur, Bobby didn’t have the best hands in : “I roomed record book. Orr, and Bernie the world but scored because with him and Allison. I was the And the most amazing Parent. The WHL named him he caught goalies off guard so rookie, I was 17 years old, and about it is that Propp will the 14th best player in league many times. He could score wherever we went I had to sleep have done it in just three history in 2016. from anywhere. His shot was on the fl oor because they would seasons. In the 1979 draft, the Philadel- deceiving, he was tenacious, put ice in the bed or do what- Going into Sunday phia Flyers grabbed him 14th he was around the net for re- ever for the rookie to make it a night’s game with Saska- overall in the fi rst round, and he bounds … I bet 150 (of his little tougher. Brian was one of toon Blades at the Key- went to play 1,016 regular sea- points) were from inside the the best players with the puck. stone , Propp is son games over 15 seasons, and circles or closer. He had under- He knew how to put the puck in the league-leader in goals 160 more playoff games. rated skill. What a junior career the net. He was a tough kid. He (45), and points (97). The He retired following the 1994- and what a junior player. He had the mentality that this was 19-year-old left winger is 95 season in Europe. was reliable game in and game Brandon Wheat Kings star Brian Propp had plenty of opportu- going to happen and he just did in search of his second Propp pursued opportunities out. You knew you were going to nities to work on his goal-scoring celebration during the 1978- it. He scored a lot of goals and consecutive WHL scoring in business and later real estate, get the best of Brian Propp and 79 season. (Brandon Sun File Photo) played a lot of minutes.” title and, if he continues and has recovered well from a his work ethic.” BRUCE PENTON (Brandon his current pace, he will stroke he suffered in 2015. He WES COULSON: “Brian was used to worry about with Brian RICK KNICKLE: “It was a line Sun): “(Brian) was very strong, reach that goal easily. lives in New Jersey. phenomenal. There wasn’t any- was that we would be up by a of guys who were all different.” a very good skater, and had a Last year, Propp won MIKE PEROVICH: “What can thing he couldn’t do. He could bunch of goals and he would : “Everybody shot, he had those three things. the crown with 183 you say? The guy is unbeliev- skate, he could shoot, he could get bored. He would just kind was so worried about Brian that He wasn’t like Mike Bossy type points, the second high- able. It was a pleasure to play pass and it was effortless. It of smirk and look at me and fl ip you ended up getting a lot of the scoring and he wasn’t Eric Nest- est total in league history, with Brian and watch him every seemed effortless to me. There the puck straight into the air so junk (rebound goals).” erenko-type strong but he was behind ’s Ber- night … You just had to give it to were other guys who had to the goalie would have to go into DAVE STEWART: “Just a nat- up at the top of the list on ev- nie Federko, who skated him and it was in the back of the work really hard — and I’m not the corner to play it, and then ural. Brian had that knack. He ery category, and he was a very to 187 points in 1975-76. net.” saying he didn’t work hard — he would go and nudge the reminded me of (Ron) Chip- good skater, he was strong on But, so far, there is RAY ALLISON: “Propper was but it seemed to come natural- goalie. Then everybody start- perfi eld and those guys. He was his skates, you couldn’t knock no comparing Propp’s pretty simple. He just scored ly. He scored goals whenever he ed pushing and shoving and just a natural goal scorer, and him off. He would be getting performance last year, goals, and all you had to do was wanted to, it seemed like.” the big scrum started. There’s there aren’t too many. He was a checked from two sides and still with his effort this cam- get him the puck. It wasn’t com- TIM LOCKRIDGE: “Propper Propp, smiling on the side not good guy. We had some fun.” hang onto the puck and get the paign. A year ago, after plicated or anything like that. was a free spirit when it really doing anything. He started the : “(Brian) was shot away. I’m not surprised he 29 games, Propp had 74 The man lived to score goals. down to it. Without being too s— and didn’t fi nish it. He just like a machine. He was just con- went on to have a great career points, on 22 goals and 52 That’s all he ever wanted to do harsh about it, he just didn’t did his thing. He wasn’t con- sistent every day. He was a good in the NHL because of those assists. This time around, and he was good at it. I think I give a s— about anything going frontational. I don’t think he ball player, he was a good golfer. three attributes.” his goal production is up played on his line for most of on around him. He was so easy ever got into an argument or At the last reunion, he won the 23, to 45, while his as- three years and all I had to do going, and nothing seemed to confl ict with any of the guys on golf tournament. Every sport he » [email protected] sists’ total is the same. was get him the puck, and if he bother him. The one thing I the team.” did, he did it well. If he played » Twitter: @PerryBergson His 97 points represent could get the shot off, he could an increase of 23. score with the best of them.” If Propp were to keep STEPHEN PATRICK: “Brian up his present pace (3.34 was the most intense guy, even ON THE ICE points-per-game), he in practice. Sometimes we do SEASON IN REVIEW Brandon was without injured forwards Dave Chartier and and Kelly McCrimmon (suspension) out of the lineup, would finish the season three-on-three and it would be Dave McDonald, plus Kelly McCrimmon, who served the scored his fi rst WHL goal with a second remaining in with 110 goals, 127 as- me, Stewie and Abby against third game of his eight-game suspension. the middle frame. Brian Propp’s three goals boosted his sists and 237 points — all Propp, Allison and Boschman, Brandon 9 5 BWK goals: Propp (2), Boschman, Kempthorne, Allison, season total to 56, which includes nine game-winners. of which would obviously and I felt bad for Stewie because Game 31, Dec. 14, 1978 Kiessig. BWK goals: Propp (3), Coulson (2), Patrick, Gusdal, be league records. Abby and I didn’t help him at all. Recap: Edmonton led 3-0 early in the second period when BWK goalie: Knickle. Popple, Chartier. Former Wheat King Bill Brian was real focused and real Brandon’s offence fi nally exploded into action. The Wheat Shots on net: 29-22 BWK. BWK goalie: Knickle. Derlago holds the WHL Kings fi red 16 shots in the middle frame and scored six intense, and obviously a great Attendance: 3,024, in Saskatoon. Shots on net: 38-21 BWK. record for most goals goals to lead 6-4 after 40 minutes. Brandon played without in a season, thanks to a hockey player.” Record: 27-1-5. Attendance: 1,405, in Regina. the McCrimmon brothers after an incident the previous 96-goal effort in 1976- GREGG DRINNAN (Bran- night. Brad was suspended for two games, and was to join Record: 30-1-5. Dunc McCallum: “Actually we stumbled around quite a 77. That season, after don Sun): “I can only think of the Bruins for the world junior tourna- bit in the fi rst period. For a while out there it was almost Dunc McCallum: “We got off to a hell of a start and the one other player in the Western ment. Meanwhile, Kelly earned an eight-game suspension like we were strangers to each other.” defence moved the puck well in the fi rst period. Then we 29 games, he had just Hockey League who loved to for leaving the bench and will sit until Jan. 15. Brandon coasted a bit after the fi rst period. If you can get a team 34 goals. The record for most assists in a season score as much as Brian Propp, Mike Perovich earned fi ve assists in the win. Brandon 8, Regina 4 like that down a goal or two early they sometimes give and that was Theo Fleury. Bri- up a bit. We talked about that in the dressing room and (117) was set by Flin Flon BWK goals: Boschman (2), Propp (2), Gillen (2), Allison, Game 34, Jan. 7, 1979 an Propp just learned to love McDonald, Roberts. then went out and did it.” Bombers’ Recap: Brian Propp scored his 50th goal of the season to score, had to score, wanted BWK goalie: Knickle. in 1967-68. in just his 34th game as Brandon took a 4-1 lead after But, the most incred- to score. If he was in a prime Shots on net: 40-25 BWK. the opening frame in beating Regina for the seventh Brandon 9, 2 scoring area, he had to have the Attendance: Estimated at 900, in Edmonton. straight time. Don Gillen wore a wire mask to protect the Game 37, Jan. 13, 1979 ible part of the ‘Brian puck. He could skate and shoot Record: 25-1-5. nose he broke in Saskatoon. Brandon had scored 251 Recap: Brad Kempthorne scored a WHL career-high Propp Saga’ is the way the native of Neudorf, the puck but he had that inner Dunc McCallum: “We started the way we left off on goals and allowed 101, both league bests. four goals as the Wheat Kings blasted a Broncos team drive that he just absolutely had Wednesday night. We got down 3-0 and wondered what BWK goals: Propp (2), Roberts (2), Boschman, Brad that had won 16 of its previous 20 games. Kempthorne Sask.. has been piling to score, and he wasn’t going to the hell was going on. But, that third Edmonton goal got McCrimmon, Stewart, Gusdal. had 13 goals in just 22 games after missing time due to up the points. Ron Chip- let up in the third period if the us fi red up.” BWK goalie: Knickle. a broken collarbone. Goalie Scott Olson made 32 saves perfield, yet another ex- in his fi rst appearance since the Christmas break. score was 6-1.” Shots on net: 70-38 BWK. Wheat King, is the WHL BWK goals: Kempthorne (4), Kiessig, Propp, Allison, : “I lived Brandon 5, Saskatoon 4 Attendance: 2,085, in Brandon. all-time point-leader, Stewart, Chartier. with 470 in 252 games, at home at the time and he lived Game 32, Dec. 17, 1978 Record: 28-1-5. BWK goalie: Olson. for a per-game showing at a residence that wasn’t too far Recap: The Wheat Kings built a 5-1 lead and nearly saw Brian Propp: (on Regina goalie Ken McNabb’s 62 Shots on net: 56-36 BWK. of 1.87 points. Propp, in away. I spent a lot of time with it disappear as the Blades scored three times in a three- saves) “He was pretty lucky at times.” Brian. We were at the back of Attendance: 3,000, in Brandon. 171 games, has accumu- minute span late in the third period. Goalie Rick Knickle the bus and sat beside each oth- Record: 31-1-5. lated 414 points. Get out preserved the victory with a huge glove save after a draw Brandon 8, Edmonton 4 er on all those trips. Brian was a in the Brandon end as Saskatoon players celebrated before Dunc McCallum: “We got a super effort from Kemp- the pocket calculator and great player, a sniper, a two-way they realized the netminder had the puck. It was Brandon’s Game 35, Jan. 9, 1979 thorne. He was in command of himself. Sometimes he that works out to an in- player, very profi cient junior for last game until Jan. 5, although some Wheat Kings were Recap: Brian Propp scored 28 seconds into the second gets complacent but he worked harder than he had been credible 2.42 points ev- sure and had a great pro career active at tournaments over the Christmas break. period to break a 2-2 tie, and Brandon scored twice and it showed.” ery time Propp laces on more in the next seven minutes to break open a close as well.” BWK goals: Perovich, Boschman, Stewart, Kiessig, the blades. Propp. game. Wes Coulson had two goals and two assists, and GREGG DRINNAN: “One of Dave Chartier scored in his return to the lineup after suf- Portland 3, Brandon 2 In comparison, only the things Brian used to his real BWK goalie: Knickle. fering a broken wrist on Dec. 5. With Laurie Boschman Game 38, Jan. 15, 1979 three players, all who advantage was his ability with Shots on net: 46-46. resting a sore shoulder, Chartier centred Propp and Ray Recap: Brandon fell behind midway through the fi rst have since moved on to his stick, and not on the puck Attendance: 2,089, in Brandon. Allison. Dave Stewart earned two assists despite playing period and received goals from Brian Propp and Brad the pro ranks, have av- but on the opposing player. Record: 26-1-5. with a sore shoulder, boosting him to 31 for the season, Kempthorne in the middle frame to take the lead, but eraged over two points- That earned him so much extra Dunc McCallum: “We started sitting on the lead. I think passing the total he earned in his rookie campaign. scored twice for the Winter Hawks in the per-game in their careers room.” the guys have just wanted to get the last few games BWK goals: Propp (3), Coulson (2), Roberts, Allison, third period for the victory. The winner came with 3:23 — Steve Tambellini went KELLY McCRIMMON: “His over with. We’ve got guys going to Sweden, guys going Chartier. remaining, but the victory was sealed with 21 seconds at a 2.30 pace with Leth- work ethic was off the charts. to the Labatt Cup and guys going home for Christmas. BWK goalie: Knickle. remaining when Portland goalie Bart Hunter made a bridge Broncos, Derlago sensational glove save on Brad McCrimmon. It was the For our fans, in recent memory, They’ve had too many other things on their minds.” Shots on net: 53-41 BWK. averaged 2.09 and Regina Wheat Kings’ fi rst regular-season loss at home since everybody would respect and Attendance: 2,113, in Brandon. a 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Breakers on Pats’ Dennis Sobchuk rave and admire ’s Brandon 6, Saskatoon 2 Record: 29-1-5. Jan. 31, 1978, an incredible stretch of 36 games at the finished at 2.01. work ethic, and Brian Propp Game 33, Jan. 5, 1979 Dunc McCallum: “That’s the best game Propp has . It was just the third time, including When this season be- worked like that. He was an in- Recap: The Wheat Kings fell behind early in their fi rst played in a month. He was aggressive and he looked like exhibition games, that Brandon was outshot. gan Propp stood 19th on credibly hard worker. He loved game in 19 days but Propp, who was held to a single he was hungry again. That’s the way he’s got to play … BWK goals: Propp, Kempthorne. the WHL career point- to score so he shot the puck goal at the world junior championship with the New he’s got to want the puck.” BWK goalie: Olson. scoring list. Already, he Westminster Bruins over Christmas, scored twice and from everywhere and expected Shots on net: 59-48 Port. has moved up to fifth, added an assist to boost his point total to 102. He with only Chipperfield to score. He was really hard to Brandon 9, Regina 3 Attendance: 4,132, in Brandon. handle in the offensive zone. also moved into third place in the WHL record book for (470), Derlago (437), Sob- career points with 419, trailing only a pair of former Wheat Game 36, Jan. 10, 1979 Record: 31-2-5. chuk (418), and former He was so elusive, strong on his Kings — Ron Chipperfi eld (470) and (437). Ray Recap: Brandon Travellers Lavern Popple, who was feet, great vision. He was an in- Dunc McCallum: (on Portland) “They were sure hungry. Wheat King Dale McMul- Allison’s assist gave him 250 in his career, tying former called up with Laurie Boschman (shoulder), Dave Stewart They were just like a bunch of dogs.” credible junior.” Wheat King Dale McMullin for second in league history. (shoulder), Dave McDonald (ankle), Don Gillen (broken nose) lin (418) ahead of him. RICK KNICKLE: “Brian was