It was a busy day for the Lloydminster Bobcats on Wednesday leading up to Thursday’s Trade Deadline.
The Bobcats made four separate deals at different points throughout the day.
After learning that netminder Curtis Meger has departed for the Kootenay ICE of the WHL, Bobcat’s Head Coach/GM, Nigel Dube went out and acquired ’99-born goalie Justin Vertesi from the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the NOJHL. So far this season, the Hamilton, ON product has posted a 3.34 GAA and a .916 save percentage.
In perhaps the biggest move of the day, the Bobcats traded captain Zach Kaiser and defenceman Reid Irwin to the Sherwood Park Crusaders for Future Considerations.
“Zach Kaiser has been an integral part of this organization on and off the ice,” Dube said, “He has put his heart and soul into the organization and into the city of Lloydminster. We wish him continued success as he works towards obtaining a Division I scholarship. He has created many friendships and memories in this city and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
The Cats also made a pair of trades in the SJHL.
Dealing with the Melfort Mustangs, the Bobcats are thrilled to bring home local product Chase Anderson.
The ’99-born forward has 9 points so far this season with Melfort. Anderson played his minor hockey in Lloydminster before joining the Sherwood Park Crusaders last season.
Anderson was acquired for Future Considerations.
“Chase Anderson is a local product that grew up with Lloydminster Minor Hockey,” said Dube. “He brings experience to our youth having played over a year of junior hockey, and we are excited to get him in the line-up!”
Finally, Lloydminster has moved second-year defenceman Zach Ziegler to the Nipawin Hawks for ’00-born defenceman Andrew Smiley and Future Considerations.
Smiley, a year younger than Ziegler, has posted 7 points with Nipawin so far this season and hails from Calgary.
“There were several moves made and a lot of hours put in to make sure they were the right moves for our organization moving forward,” said Dube. “We have a blue print in place for the foundation of success and these moves now, and in the future, are a significant part of the direction we are going.”
“We wish all the players who were moved to different teams the best of luck, and we are excited to get the new players in town,” Dube said. “Significant change has been made in a short time and we will continue to do so moving forward to get this organization to where it need to be on and off the ice.”
The Bobcats will resume their season with a pair of home games this weekend. The Cats will host the Whitecourt Wolverines on Friday and the Calgary Mustangs on Saturday. Both games get underway at 7:30.