Westman Wildcats and Vincent Massey Graduates Join Cougars Hockey

Payton Murray and Billie Baranyk have committed to the Cougars women’s hockey team.

Both Murray and Baranyk will soon graduate from Brandon’s Vincent Massey High School and played together on the U18 AAA Westman Wildcats this past season. Murray was a member of the Wildcats that won the 2022 Manitoba Female Hockey League championship.

Murray, a 5’5” multisport athlete has earned a spot on the Cougars as a goaltender. Although she excels between the posts, she also played softball and basketball and enjoys water sports and snowboarding.

“I’m able to keep the energy high on and off the ice,” said Murray. “I have a confident style of play and willingness to learn and improve my game.”

“What caught our eye about Payton’s game is her competitiveness in goal, ability to track pucks and her athleticism,” said Cougars coach Tony Bertone. “She will bring positivity and a team first attitude next season.”

Murray maintains a 96% average and has received bronze medal student recognition and honour roll all four years of high school. She is interested in working with children, especially at their most developmental ages. Murray will be taking the college’s Early Childhood Education program in the fall.

Baranyk is another multi-sport athlete, enjoying softball and golf as well. She’s a left handed forward on the ice, and was selected by Hockey Manitoba’s Program of Excellence as a top 40 player in 2022, the same year she lead the Rink Hockey Academy in points (43). She received the Most Valuable Player award at the AAA challenge in 2016 and again in 2018. In 2018, she was named female athlete of the year at St. Augustine School.

“My dad has had a big impact on my hockey career and I love going to the rink each day,” said Baranyk. Her father played for the Neepawa Natives and Brandon University Bobcats before coaching various teams in the Brandon area. “I love being infront of the net and in the dirty areas. I have a good, hard shot, and hockey IQ.”

In 37 games with the Wildcats this season, Baranyk scored 14 goals and had 10 assists.

“Billie is a power forward and plays with the mentality that ‘it’s my puck’,” said Cougars coach Tony Bertone. “She plays a tough game and has a quick and accurate shot.”

Branayk has also maintained honour roll as a Vincent Massey student and will be taking the Comprehensive Health Care Aid program at the college.