The clock is ticking to the season opener for the Lloydminster Bobcats. Head Coach and GM Nigel Dube is laying out the roadmap ahead of the return of AJHL hockey to the Border City.
Dube is excited as some new staffers are onboard including Assistant Coach/GM Carter Duffin who is now in Lloydminster from Castlegar, B.C.
“He was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Castlegar Rebels and the International Junior Hockey League for the last three years. [He] made a run to the SJHL finals with the Estevan Bruins. So [we are] bringing in the guy with experience. [He] knows junior hockey [and is] going to help our players on and off the ice and contribute to our organization and our community.”
Dube dishes on another new staffer, their Athletic Therapist & Equipment Manager who has worked with the University of Manitoba Men’s Hockey team and the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League.
“Taylor Smith is our Athletic Therapist from Manitoba and moved to Lloydminster. We are excited to have her a part of the team as well and she has officially kicked off here in town.”
Dube is urging fans to get their season tickets. The season opener is a home-and-home. On the Friday they face off against the Pontiacs in Bonnyville and then Saturday September 18, the Bobcats bring it home to the Civic ice.
Dube says the players are currently working hard in their home communities and will return to Lloydminster on August 27 which will be the official start to their season.
“Well I think there is some exciting talent coming back from our veteran group that has been part of our foundation here for two years now, and coming back for a third year. We will officially kick off [our] camp, August 27 which is exciting and will be open to fans throughout the day on that weekend. Multiple games will be played.”
Dube adds the finishing touches are underway at the Civic Centre with the ice going in ahead of the kids hockey camp which gets going August 16.