Glenboro Carberry Baldur Wildcats ready for the 2024-2025 season
A new high school hockey season is now underway, and the Wildcats are ready to hit the ice with a blend of fresh talent and experienced leadership. This year, the team welcomes five rookies and has named Tucker Forbes as team captain, with Chase Nash, Austin Dubyts, and Jack Ramsey stepping in as assistant captains. As the puck drops at center ice, excitement builds for what Coach Corey Forbes describes as a young team that will have to learn on the fly. With new players eager to make their mark and seasoned veterans leading the way, the Wildcats are prepared to sharpen their game and tackle the challenges ahead.
In mid-October, the Wildcats hosted a well-organized home tournament, welcoming seven teams (Dauphin, Neepawa, Boissevain, Reston, Carman, Pembina, and Kenora) and offering the perfect stage for the players to test their skills early in the season. While the Wildcats didn’t secure a win, Coach Forbes emphasized that the focus was on gaining valuable on-ice experience and learning to work as a team – a crucial step in their development.
Traditionally, away tournaments provide teams with opportunities to bond both on and off the ice, helping them refine their skills and teamwork. However, this year, Wildcats – along with every other team in the Prairie Spirit School Division – will not be approved to attend any overnight tournaments. Kim Standeven, Board Chair – Prairie Spirit School Division commented on the decision, “Following a serious incident during an overnight tiring in the 23/24 season, Prairie Spirit School Division has restricted overnight trips for exhibition play for the 24/25 season. Policies and procedures for field trip were also reviewed. Overnights for league play, regional tournaments, and provincials will still be considered for approval. The Wildcats’ request to travel to the USA for an exhibition tournament in November was denied.”
“Travel tournaments have always been a way for parents and players to bond, not only on the ice, but away from the arena. Some players don’t play other sports and some never get to travel, whether it was to Ontario years ago, or down to South Dakota most recently. They remember the charter bus rides and the team photo at Mount Rushmore more than they do the games played,” said Coach Forbes.
As the Wildcats embark on this season, they’ll also be bidding farewell to a group of dedicated graduating players at the season end: #1 Tyler Knol (goalie) #13 Dylan Barnstable and Assistant Captain #12 Jack Ramsey both forwards from Carberry; #7 Lachlan Jones (defence) from Baldur; and Assistant Captain #18 Chase Nash (forward) from Glenboro. Their contributions to the team have been immense, and they’ll be looking to leave their mark in their final season.
Ninth graders welcomed to the team are Forwards; Gavin Anderson, Easton Shearer and Logan McPhail of Glenboro and Dawson Smart (Goalie) and Hudson Dickson (defence) of Carberry.
Seasoned players this season include #2 Forward, Gage Balciunas (Carberry); #5 Max Janz (Baldur), Defence; Forward #6 Rylan Sedor (Carberry); #8 Forward, Owen McLean (Glenboro); Forwards #9 Ashton Potvin and #10 Dalton Potvin (Glenboro); Defence, #11 Keaton Snaith (Carberry); #14 Tucker Forbes team Captain and Defence (Glenboro); #15 Brycen Anderson, Forwards (Baldur) and #16 Spencer Jones (Baldur); Forwards #17 Jack Sholdice and Assistant Captain #19 Austin Dubyts (Glenboro); Forward #20 Corbin Knol (Carberry); Defence #22 Braydon Cornock (Glenboro) and Goalie #30 Kylan Diehl (Glenboro). Wildcats coaching staff consists of Corey Forbes, Regan Richmond and Bryce Watson; Brendin Dubyts is the team manager and Mitchel Thornborough in charge of equipment.
Last year the Wildcats finished the regular season in 8th place, getting swept in the first round of playoffs. “The weekend before the playoffs started the Wildcats won the MHSAA AA Provincial Championship. A first for the Wildcats,” said Forbes who added that that they are a young team this season. “There will be a lot of learning on the fly and I hope to see the team finish in the top half of the league.”
