For the second time in as many weeks, the Lloydminster Bobcats have added hometown talent previously tied to the Kindersley Klippers organization.
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The AJHL’s Bobcats announced Monday that they’ve acquired veteran forward Rylan Wieler, who led the SJHL’s Klippers in scoring this past season. He scored 11 goals and 48 points in 55 games during his second and final year with Kindersley.
Wieler, who turns 20 in August, is returning to his Lloydminster roots. During his final U18 AAA season, the playmaker led the 2023-24 Lancers in scoring with 16 goals and 51 points in 37 games.
“We are excited to have Rylan join our core group of returning veteran players,” Bobcats general manager Nigel Dube said in a news release.
“He brings offensive upside to his game in an area we are looking to build on this (coming) season. Being from the Border City, we know him well and know he will represent our program the right way on and off the ice, while bringing a high level of compete and willingness to win.”
A day later, the Klippers also announced that they had traded Wieler to Lloydminster in exchange for future considerations.
In a social media post Tuesday, his former team thanked Wieler “for his time in Kindersley and for his efforts in our community.”
Just last week, the Bobcats revealed that they’ve signed 18-year-old hometown defenceman Rhett Romanchuk, who had earlier committed to Kindersley.
Romanchuk graduated as captain after a three-year U18 AAA career with the Lancers. In his final season, Romanchuk scored 10 goals and 37 points in 37 games.
Romanchuk and the Klippers had announced in February that he signed with Kindersley to play in the SJHL next season. Before that signing, he had been skating with the Bobcats and played with them in two AJHL games as an affiliated player.
Romanchuk, who is from Dewberry and Lloyd, graduates this month from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School.
Wieler’s connections to the Bobcats run deep. In his final U18 AAA year, he played with Romanchuk and defenceman Brady Gamble. In his previous season with those Lancers, Wieler’s teammates included forward Landen Ward and defenceman Jaxan Hopko, the Bobcats’ new captain.
Wieler, Ward and Hopko are all 2006-born players entering their final year of junior hockey. They all played together at multiple levels with Lloyd minor hockey teams.
Wieler’s father, Ryan, is a former assistant coach of the junior A Lloydminster Blazers (now Bobcats).
The Bobcats stage their spring camp this weekend. It involves about 40 players, including returnees and signed and unsigned prospects.
Lloyd hosted an 80-man prospects camp in April.
Since then, the Bobcats have had a busy spring, naming former assistant coach Matt Brassard as the team’s head coach, hiring local product Chase Haygarth as an assistant coach, retaining Paul-Antoine Deslauriers as an assistant coach, and rewarding general manager Dube with a contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
Dube has been in that role since 2018.
“Nigel has been instrumental in every aspect of our organization’s growth,” Bobcats president Brent Mohrbutter said in a news release.
“From rebuilding the roster and culture, to navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic, adapting to major changes across the hockey landscape, and helping lead our transition into a brand-new arena, Nigel’s commitment to this organization has never wavered. His passion for the Bobcats and for Lloydminster is evident every single day.
“Nigel has never shied away from the expectations that come with leading this organization, which can be challenging at times, and he fully understands the shortfalls of the last couple of playoffs.”
In each of the past two seasons, the Grande Prairie Storm swept the Bobcats in the opening round of the playoffs.
Lloyd has posted 30-plus regular-season victories, though, in each of three consecutive years.
“This organization means a great deal to me,” Dube said. “When I first arrived in Lloydminster, the vision was to build something sustainable that our players, fans, alumni and community could be proud of. We’ve faced a lot together over the years, but the growth of this program has been incredible to see.
“From rebuilding the culture, to moving into the Cenovus Energy Hub, to continuing to push to be among the top teams in the league each season, there’s still a lot we want to accomplish.
“I’m grateful for the trust and support from our board, staff, players, sponsors, community and one of the most passionate fan bases in junior hockey.”
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