The Lloydminster Bobcats team 2021-2022 said farewell to their billet families and the community on Monday evening as the team wrapped its season following the exit from the playoffs.
Team management sees the positives of this past year while recognizing the challenge going forward.
Head coach and GM Nigel Dube is already on the road with a stop in B.C as the team has several players moving on to pursue their education.
“For us we are just continuing to recruit. Obviously we ended (our season) before we wanted to. The big part for us as staff is to continue to build up for next year’s team and to take another step forward rather than just idle. And that’s our plan as we hit the road.”
Dube notes that six twenty-year olds are graduating from the program and staff will be recruiting.
“It’s an opportunity with the situation being done that we can get out to a couple different leagues and provinces to watch some hockey as playoffs are still going on. It’s just a matter of adding the right pieces that we need to fulfill our roster for next season and the seasons to come.”
The team met up one more time at the Civic Centre Auditorium to hand out some recognitions. Dube saluted the efforts of all the players, including Kolby Thornton who got the vote for the AJHL’s Top goaltender.
“I think it’s a great acknowledgement of his talent and skill and what he can do and as well the team around him. Ethan Aucoin was up for a nomination too in the league. I think that’s outstanding. Two NCAA divison one scholarships. A USport commit. So there was just a lot of positives throughout the year.”
The Lloydminster Bobcats are celebrating the hardwork and rewards of the team including:
- Tegan Skehar signing to NCAA Division I Hockey with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks for 2023-24 season
- Ethan Aucoin St. Cloud – NCAA Division I
- Zafir Rawji Mount Royal University – Usport.