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Busy off-season makes for a renewed Bobcats

The Lloydminster Bobcats have had an active off-season, to say the least. Several new faces make up the team’s roster heading into the 2019-2020 AJHL season. Nigel Dube, head coach and GM, says the Bobcats have done what they’ve felt was necessary to improve the team.

“WE’ve made significant changes, and that was kind of from day one,” says Dube. “When I got here, it was to get the organization on the ice, and off the ice, where we felt it was necessary to get to.”

Dube hit the ground running with reworking the team upon taking up the job in November. Defenceman Andrew Smiley was acquired from the Nipawin Hawks for defenceman Zach Ziegler. Forward Chase Anderson came in from the Melfort Mustangs, and Forward Zach Kaiser and defenceman Reid Irwin were traded to the Sherwood Park Crusaders in exchange for future considerations. Tucker Scantlebury was also sent back to Manitoba.

Most recently, Tyler Schendel was acquired from the Camrose Kodiaks in exchange for Josh Lester. The team also traded defenseman Andrew Smiley, and forwards Hunter Lamb and Logan Bromhead. Forward Cameron Aucoin and defenseman Kyle Fulton from the Sherwood Park Crusaders were acquired for Zach Kaiser and Reid Irwin. Dube’s rework of the team was deliberate, as the team’s training camp approaches before the fall.

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“We continue to move forward, getting things settled in here for August. In a couple of years, I hope we’re not as active as we are in the off-season right now, other than signing guys. We needed to a place we can feel comfortable with.”

The Lloydminster Bobcats play this season’s home opener on September 14. It’s estimated that fewer than 6 players from last season remain on the team.

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