Lloyd rocks to support cancer patients
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI
It was a rockin’ good time in Lloydminster as the undead came out to party for a good cause.
I Love Alberta Boobs had its annual fundraiser, Rock for a Cure, March 28 at the WLS Convention Centre.
“We’re holding our zombie prom tonight,” said Teri Arnott, vicepresident, I Love Alberta Boobs.
“This is our major fundraiser for the year. We’ve got two local bands who everybody in town absolutely loves.
Our opener tonight is One Cent Melon and the second band is Blox Buds.”
Prom royalty was crowned to help bring in donations.
One Cent Melon brings down the house at the WLS Convention Centre during the 28th annual Rock for A Cure fundraiser in support of I Love Alberta Boobs.
Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
“In order to crown the king and queen, we’ll have people put money in jars and whoever’s jar has the most money at the end of the night will be crowned king and queen of the prom,” she explained, noting the event is going on its 18th year and serves as the charity’s major fundraiser for the year.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
I Love Alberta Boobs supports those battling cancer in Lloydminster.
“We are a local charity and we make up comfort care packages for people who are starting chemo at the hospital. It’s full of gift cards from local businesses,” said Arnott, adding the event hits home.
“When my mother got breast cancer, it got really close to home.”
Arnott realized the funds they were collecting were best spent locally, which led to the care packages.
Another source of fundraising for them is their bartending work.
“If anyone out there is looking for a bartender for a wedding this summer, we do have some dates available.”
Arnott says they’re a part of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation and people can donate directly to I Love Alberta Boobs through the health foundation’s website or its own website at Ilovealbertaboobs.ca
“If you go to their web page, there’s a little drop down and you’ll find us there,” she said.
When it comes to next year, the message was clear.
“We’re not going anywhere, cancer didn’t go anywhere, so we’re not going anywhere either,” she said, explaining it wouldn’t be possible without the rest of the I Love Alberta Boobs team, president Brandy Schwenk, Sorrell Elliot and Wendy Othen executive board members.
Taylor - Video
Lloyd chamber rings in successful year
New events and a new executive team are part of the highlights for the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming year.
The chamber hosted its AGM on March 25 to a room full of Lloydminster’s business owners, eager to see what 2026 has to offer.
Teri-Lynn MacKie, Lloydminster chamber executive director, says 2025 showcased the
resilience in Lloyd’s business community.
Throughout the year, the chamber hosts a variety of events aimed at bringing businesses together.
“We hosted our 24th annual golf tournament,” said MacKie.
“The tournament brought members together for networking, friendly competition and community connection.
“The chamber continues to connect and support businesses through our core events, chamber connects and chamber on taps.”
A highlight for the organization included a record attendance for its business awards.
“It was a highlight of the year, attracting a record number of 370 in attendance,” she said. “We honoured a true icon in our business community with Richard Starke receiving a lifetime achievement award.”
Roughly a month apart,
the craft fair came next for the chamber.
“Our Christmas Craft Fair and Chamber Expo was a resounding success,” she said, noting there was a wait list for vendors and more than 16,000 in attendance.
New this year will be the Chamber Coffee and Conversations.
“We are introducing a new networking event called Chamber Coffee and Conversations, with our first gathering taking place on April 15 at 7 a.m. at Noyce Photography,” said MacKie.
Teri-Lynn MacKie, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce executive director.
Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Beyond networking and galas, the Lloyd chamber serves as a powerful advocate for local commerce.
“We advocate on behalf of local businesses by bringing their priorities forward and working collaboratively with municipal, provincial and federal decision makers.”
Advocacy issues include police funding, healthcare issues, local procurement and airport issues.
The AGM also highlighted the changing of the guard for the chamber’s executive team. Robbie Kaschl took the gavel as incoming president from outgoing president Jackie Tomayer.
“We are very lucky to have a very strong board and I’m looking forward to working with Robbie closely next year,” said MacKie, noting the 11-member board includes an appointment for Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
The board is responsible for setting their strategy and direction for the year.
Fast approaching in 2026 is the annual golf tournament, which takes place May 26.
“We always sell out for registration,” she said.
Local Business Directory
2026 SPRING GUIDE
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
COST AND AGE CATEGORIES VARY
Lloydminster.ca/Guides
NEW ADULT/TEEN LEARN TO SKATE
SUNDAYS • AGES 15+ • $45
April 19: 4:15 - 5 p.m.
April 26: 5:15 - 6 p.m.
May 3: 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Learn the basic skating skills in an interactive group format. No experience is necessary!
Lloydminster.ca/Register
MUSEUM + ARCHIVES
OPEN LATE ON
WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 8 PM
Make it a museum night! The Lloydminster Museum + Archives is now open late on Wednesdays until 8 p.m.! With the cost of admission, check out the Heritage Gallery, the temporary gallery and do a fun FREE cra .
Lloydminster.ca/LMA
EASTER PYSANKY
APR 4 • 10 AM - 4:30 PM
$5 PER EGG
Ages 9+ create traditional pysanka; 8 & under decorate eggs with kid-friendly dyes. 780-874-3720
Lloydminster.ca/EasterPysanky
TASTE OF SCIENCE CAMP
APR 7-10 • AGES 8-12 •$190
This camp invites young scientists to explore the connection between food and science through hands-on experiments, creative challenges, and delicious discoveries.
Lloydminster.ca/Register
SERVUS SPORTS CENTRE
YOUTH BADMINTON CAMP AND TOURNAMENT
APR 8,9+10 • $81
GRADES 5-7: 10 AM - 12 PM
GRADES 8-10: 12:30-2:30PM
Develop your skills through cardio, interactive drills and games. Compete for tournament prizes on Friday. 780-875-4529
Lloydminster.ca/Register
Lloyd Ex GM enters UCP race
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI
A longtime Lloydminster resident and current general manager of the Lloydminster Exhibition association has announced her candidacy for the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination.
Jackie Tomayer made her intentions to run for the Vermilion-LloydminsterWainwright riding known in a March 30 Facebook video. Sitting down to speak with the Meridian Source, her message was clear.
“Rural isn’t forgotten and our people aren’t left behind,” she said, noting she also wants to see the province continue progressing.
“I think Alberta could be the most prosperous province in Canada,” said Tomayer. “Making sure our economy is driving on all different fronts is very important to me.
“Rural is incredibly important to the people that live in Alberta; we feed the world.”
Issues like healthcare and the economy are at the forefront of her messaging.
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“We just need to keep that moving forward,” she said. “Attracting doctors to rural, making sure that everyone in our rural constituencies and rural ridings have access to adequate healthcare and doctors.”
Her hope is that people wouldn’t have to travel to big centres to receive specialty care.
Working closely with Alberta’s agricultural scene, Tomayer recognizes the part it plays in the provincial economy.
“We have great lamb and swine numbers. Agriculture, right now, is moving at the speed of light,” she said, pointing to ongoing innovations in the industry.
Entering the realm of politics has always been a goal for her.
“This has always been a dream of mine, to represent our community,” she said. “All my work leading up to this has given me a really good path to get there.”
She’s been involved in the community, most recently serving as the president of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.
“I volunteered for many different organizations and (have) always been involved in the community,” said Tomayer. “Any role that I’ve stepped into, have had some sort of leadership aspect to them.”
For Tomayer, choosing a political party was an easy decision.
“I’ve always been a Conservative fan,” she said. “It’s always rung true to my beliefs of Conservative spending and letting people make their own decisions about what’s best for their life.”
Her family has deep local roots as her father owned a restaurant and an ice-making business.
“Growing up, I learned very early on to work really hard,” she said, explaining she had to bag all the ice their machines were producing.
She says this work ethic is something she’ll use when representing the riding.
“I’m going to work really, really hard and there will be nobody that will work harder,” said Tomayer. “I’m going to listen. I’m going to do my darndest to do what’s right for our riding and the people here.”
She recognizes that without a seat at the table, it’s hard to have a voice.
“You have to be willing to sit down at the table and that’s part of why I am running. You don’t get a say unless you’re at the table,” she said.
Tomayer says it’s the people of the riding that have kept her here to raise her family.
“We have the best people and the best entrepreneurs here, the best people in all the different industries, agriculture, oil, retail, film and movies,” she said.
She saw first-hand the impact of local business being sold to a bigger company when she was with the Meridian Booster .
“Being sold to a big Quebec company, sending all of our stuff over to India and how that hurt our local economy,” said Tomayer. “I was there when the press shut down.”
As she hits the campaign trail, she looks forward to meeting people in the riding and listening.
“My cellphone will always be on; my door will always be open.”
Jackie Tomayer. Submitted photo
Chamber president hopes to connect businesses
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI
In front of a room filled with Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce members, a smiling face took to the podium.
Robbie Kaschl accepted the gavel, taking over as chamber president from outgoing president Jackie Tomayer, ready for his year at the helm after serving as vice-president the previous year.
In an interview with the Meridian Source after the March 25 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce AGM wrapped up, Kaschl says he wanted to make a difference taking on the executive role.
Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
“Initially, it was just a challenge of stepping up instead of complaining about issues, trying to help support it,” said Kaschl.
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He says he became passionate about his work with the chamber.
“Then, the passion, you just fall into it,” he said. “You work through the chamber organization for a year or two and then you see where you can help.”
Moving into the presidency, he knew it was his opportunity to be there for Lloydminster.
“It was just helping that serving feeling, or the serving mentality of, I’ve served my family, served my business, and now I felt like I can serve the community,” said Kaschl. Looking forward to the year ahead, he wants to bring more prominence to the chamber and what it can offer.
Jackie Tomayer (left) hands over the gavel to incoming president Robbie Kaschl.
“It’s wanting to bring the chamber as more of a focal point for new businesses coming to the community, (giving) existing businesses a place where they can gather and strategize and bring up partnerships and communicate with other businesses and organizations,” he said.
Kaschl has been a member of the chamber for more than a decade and says there’s a lot of value from attending the organization’s various mixers.
“I joined an organization 15 years ago with the business, but I never joined the process and what that organization does,” he explained. “There’s so much value I’m getting from, and hopefully giving to these connects and all these different events the chamber puts on.
“I hope to see people new and old as well just getting reinvigorated with it.”
A longtime Lloydminster resident, Kaschl says he’s a husband and a father to four kids. The family first moved here in the ’90s.
“We moved here in ’95 when mom and dad bought the Nutters Natural Foods,” he said.
There was an opportunity for him to return to Lloydminster after being in Edmonton for school and work.
“They (Kaschl’s parents) had a water company they wanted to sell and they weren’t able to sell it at fair value,” he said. “Dawn and I, my wife, looked at it and thought there
was an opportunity for us to come back to Lloydminster.
“We enjoyed the small-town feel, the values of the community and our existing family here and friends that still remained here.”
That decision brought the family back to the Border City for good.
“We’re operating Kaschl’s Culligan Water now,” he said. “We brought my brother and his wife into the family business. When we made that decision, it was a family decision. Mom and dad were there.”
Robbie Kaschl speaks during the March 25 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce AGM.
Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
10
Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Viewpoint
Chris’ A-Z: John Kirk Kemp
For those that may not know, I live in the general area of Father Gorman and Jack Kemp schools. I’m interested in how both got their names, and today, I can tick one off my list.
John Kirk Kemp, or as most people knew him
Jack Kemp. He was born in England in the County of Kent back in 1912. He came to the Border City in 1931 and took up work at the Lloydminster Times as a typesetter.
For Kemp, there was a growing discomfort with the global landscape. Specifically, pointing to the rise to power of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
“If someone doesn’t stop Hitler, he’ll rule the world.”
When the war expanded, he quickly took the opportunity to enlist in the military.
He was successful in his officer’s exam, becoming a lieutenant before again being promoted to captain.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
April 2, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
FROM PAGE 10
He was the second in command for a company of 126 men. Before heading overseas, he married a young telephone operator, Joyce White.
Kemp’s first task would see his brigade ordered to engage German soldiers in the small French village of Rocquencourt. His men would once again be sent elsewhere, this time being assigned to join an attack on the French city of Falaise. During his time overseas, Kemp received his final promotion after the commanding officer of his company had been killed. Of the original 126 men, 59 remained.
On the way in, Kemp was shot by an enemy sniper. The bullet struck the top of his nose, exiting his head behind his left ear. He spent nearly two months in England as a patient before returning to Canada. He went between the Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg and Lloydminster, staying in Winnipeg for a month and Lloyd for three.
When he arrived back in Lloydminster, he met his son Dennis for the first time.
The bullet left a hole about the size of the circumference of his finger in the bone where his nose and forehead meet. Kemp was left with a scar behind his left ear and some paralysis on the left side of his face.
In Lloydminster, he returned to work with the Lloydminster Times until 1960. In various capacities, he worked with the Lloydminster Public School Division.
He continued his community work as he was president of the Lloydminster Legion, and the Lloydminster Music Festival, chairman of the Parkland Residence Association for Handicapped children, and more. Kemp was a decorated military veteran who gave his all to his community. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. The school, just a stone’s throw away from me, is living proof of that.
Passport to YLL
Bingo at Moose Lodge
Bingo is back at Moose Lodge every Monday and Wednesday evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.
Southridge Playschool Registration is Open
The Southridge Playschool and Kindergym Society has opened registration for the fall 2026-27 term for kids ages 3-5. One day a week is covered by a government affordability grant and two days a week is $325 for the whole term. Contact Mrs. Shandy at southridgeplayschool@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.
Junior B Hockey Provincials
Hockey Alberta junior B provincials are at the Cenovus Energy Hub from April 1-5 will feature the top six teams in the province.
The Mop Top Four Beatles Tribute
The Mop Top Four, a tribute to The Beatles, hits the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the Vic Juba box office.
Meridian Source Online Education Class
The Meridian Source will be hosting a class at the Legacy Centre from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on April 9 to help local seniors get familiar with our online platform. We want to ensure everyone is comfortable reading their news online and will have multiple Source staffers on
hand to answer any and all questions.
Doubles Cribbage Tourney at the Moose
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a doubles cribbage tournament on Sunday, April 12, starting at noon. Registration is from 11 to 11:45 a.m. and each player is guaranteed 12 games. Cost is $25/person, which includes a snack, coffee and juice. Enter as a team or an individual. Entries close on Friday, April 10. Call Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.
Final Doubles Crib Tournament
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting its final double cribbage tournament of the season on April 12. Registration is from 9-9:45 a.m. and play begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $25/ player, which includes lunch, 12 games guaranteed. There is also a $500 first prize up for grabs. Entries close on April 9. Call Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.
Morgan Wallen Tribute at the Vic Juba
The Vic Juba Community Theatre will host a Morgan Wallen tribute show on April 18 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $45 and are available online or at the theatre’s box office.
Ron James at the Vic Juba
Canadian comedian Ron James brings his The Noise Between Our Ears tour to the Vic Juba Community Theatre on April 28 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $81.25 and are available online or at the theatre’s box office.
Lions walk for diabetes awareness
The Lloydminster Lions Club had Lloydminster residents moving as part of their Strides for Diabetes awareness event.
Hosted at the indoor walking track at the Servus Sports Centre, the event drew plenty of eager walkers.
“The idea is to bring diabetes awareness because it’s starting to become more and more (prevalent) throughout both provinces,” said Tom Goertzen, chairman for Strides for Diabetes.
“We thought we’d have an awareness (event) for people to get more information and talk to a diabetes educator and an exercise therapist, to see how exercise and diabetes work hand in hand.”
The Lions offered diabetes information and testing alongside a game to encourage community participation.
When it comes to diabetes, it’s more personal for Goertzen.
Awareness walk for the health of it
“Diabetes is in my family, so I’m definitely aware of it,” he said, noting the event falls during the early springtime. “It’s an event that’s in spring and it’s good to make everyone aware.”
His hope is to get people talking about the disease.
“It’s a disease that nobody wants to talk
about,” said Goertzen. “If you have it, you keep hush hush. But we need to bring awareness to it so that people are understanding that if you have diabetes, you can live with it and prevent some of the complications that happen if it goes untreated.”
He says the only way to know if you have diabetes is to get tested.
“Diabetes is almost like a silent killer,” he said. “If you have it, you don’t know because nothing hurts. The only way to check it is to go to a nurse and get your glucose checked.”
According to the Government of Canada, about 10 per cent of the Canadian population lives with diagnosed diabetes.
For the Lions, this is one of their various events throughout the year.
“Lions is a service club and we help different projects,” said Goertzen. “We’ve got a park and we also do citizens of the year.
“Other events which we host to raise money and one of them being the medieval feast in Kitscoty, that’s a big event.”
For those looking to get involved with the club, they host a yearly membership drive.
“We do have a membership and once a year, we’ll have a membership drive,” he said. “You can come out and our chairman for that, he can explain all the different ideas and duties that we do and meetings we take care of.”
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The Kamsack Times is hiring a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter to produce original civic journalism for Kamsack; Cote, Keeseekoose and The Key First Nations; and surrounding towns. Job is a term position until March 31, 2027. Apply with cover letter and three writing samples to Devan Tasa at dtasa@tasamedia.ca.
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BARLEY
at least 12 of the 25 Easter egg decals displayed at selected locations. No ‘yolking’, this outdoor fun will keep you active as you solve the clues!
FRIDAY, APRIL 3 TO SUNDAY, APRIL 12
CLUES!
1
Need an outdoor green space to relax with nature and a quiet escape? No ‘yolking’ around, this fenced park is nestled within a College Park neighbourhood. It’s peaceful and tranquil ambiance blends in well with the natural surroundings. There isn’t a playground and leashed dogs are welcome to play too. How about an old fashioned picnic followed by an active game of tag? Or maybe you want to lie down, lookup at the sky happy to greet you!
2
Brandi Hofer’s colourful mural of two children playing in the park is called Fairies in the Garden. It was created in 2024 on the side of Red Bicycle Communications. Take a step back and enjoy all that this mural represents. Be sure to check out the large-scale gardening and other activities in the 49 Street Community Garden this summer. The garden thrives on gentle hands, volunteers, sunlight and warmth. Pretend to be fairies in the garden as you search high and low for this egg near a water source!
3
It’s so much fun spending time outdoors with the energetic welcome guides and meeting new friends! From its raised beds of fruit, vegetables keychain library and a kindness rocks garden, this egg is having an eggceptionally great time visiting with folks of all ages. Workshops, seed swapping, events and more await you at this downtown community location. Interact with this green space, get your hands in the dirt and happy gardening!
4
This egg got dizzy rolling through a Saskatchewan roundabout heading to the inclusive family friendly playground. The playground has splashes of vibrant colours everywhere including on the garbage receptacles and storage sheds. Check out Aurora’s spinning kaleidoscope, swings for all abilities, teeter-totters, slippery slides and climbing equipment. ‘Eggsplore’ the surrounding natural enjoys playing on the spiral slide.
5
Nestled in a vibrant southeast neighbourhood, this inclusive Saskatchewan park is designed for ages 5-12. Children will grow alongside the young trees planted in the green space, enjoy the splash park on hot summer days and have fun together. This community playground is a gathering place for families and offers accessible fun for children of all abilities. Relax on a bench, visit with your neighbours or go for a stroll on the walking trails. egg gets poached!
6
Hop to it! After swimming, rolling down the waterslide multiple times and getting soft-boiled in the hot tub, this exhausted egg went outdoors to relax. While laying in the sun, it watched through the large windows and smiled as folks of all ages enjoyed swimming indoors. This building’s architectural style blends in well with the surrounding environment. These large windows provide natural light and the egg has a clear view of all the fun happening inside.
7
Stocked with rainbow trout, this 10-acre manmade lake is home to a variety of aquatic creatures. Did site too? Surrounded by nature, walking trails and more, this all-seasons park is a wonder to ‘eggsperience’. The egg is a bit shy around the shore, so it decided to roll down the paved path around the lake and land on the back of an important sign about this recreational water sport. share?
8
‘Eggsploring’ Lloydminster’s largest park isn’t complete without looking at the unique “canvases” painted as part of MuralFest 2025 at the Lloyd Ex. Artists of various ages transformed protective concrete barriers into inspired pieces of art to display around the city. Search for the gathering of four depicting a bison on the prairie, purple and lily pads with a frog. Hint:Thisparkingareais notpaved,isclosetoapicnicshelterandthepark entrance.
9
Sprinklers, tipping buckets and spray blasters oh my! This popular recreation spot on hot summer days may be closed for the season, but we’re not ‘yolking’ around here. This clue has a hoppy ending as it is in a barrier-free space and accessible for folks of all abilities. Partly surrounded by a low cement wall to rest on, it is close to public washrooms, picnic tables and a manmade lake. There’s no time for ‘eggcuses’, let’s search for the egg before the water sprays.
10
For ‘eggciting’ fun outdoors bring your paddle, all seasons park surrounded by nature’s beauty is home to four pickleball courts, two basketball courts and so much more. The egg is getting hit back and forth, back and forth over the net. Suddenly the ball lobs high over the non-volley zone aka kitchen, heads over the baseline and scrambled egg as it hops off the court waiting to meet a new friend.
11
The large letters, Welcome To Your Rink, proudly stand out against the prairie sky. The boards which form the outdoor rink are the original boards that were used in 2014 when Lloydminster hosted the ‘eggciting’ Scotia Bank Hockey Day in Canada. Providing an outdoor space for ice hockey in the winter, the concrete pad will be transformed into a basketball court in the summer. The boards with their historic past blend in well with the future visions of our community’s newest recreation venue.
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Affectionally called the Hub, our region’s largest sports, recreation and entertainment venue
NHL-sized arenas, this City of Lloydminster facility located in the Entertainment District will serve many generations to come. The Hub is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all their visitors. EggHint:Thisexcitedsport’s fanisclearlygreetingallthevisitorsastheyenter
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Once you have found the eggs, email recreation@lloydminster.ca with their locations by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 to be entered into the Easter basket prize draws.
MuralFest 2025 agriculture focused murals, farm themed playground equipment and unique climbing features await you at this north playground. From the barn roof canopy and doors to the green tractor for children to slide or climb through, the attention to detail is incredible. Searching for this Saskatchewan egg is an interactive experience and fun for all ages. If you need a break, relax at a picnic table or bench. Enjoy your adventures and all the events which happen at the Ex!
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A gathering space, which is now painted green, was converted from parking spaces to a social gathering place. This addition to the downtown core also includes amenities such as picnic tables, benches, trees and in the summer a spicy food truck. Did you know you can book this space for events too? There is so much potential for this urban space nestled in downtown Lloydminster. No ‘eggcuses’, look for the pair of friendly eggs who are relaxing together and enjoying the ambiance.
15
Discover for yourself the architectural uniqueness of this Parkview playground! There’s a variety of engaging features for physical activity and pretend play. The whimsical playhouse, geometric shapes, fun colours, rubber hammock, kaleidoscope and even a mailbox appear to be from a child’s storybook. This park offers an opportunity for children to develop skills, meet others and to have fun using their active imaginations. This egg is having a blast spinning, swinging, climbing and pretending, and it hopes you are too!
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I’m so ‘eggcited’ and I just can’t hide it! With details about The Founding Of Lloydminster, this Saskatchewan point of interest on Highway 17 north is well worth visiting. The main encampment of the Barr Colonists who arrived in 1903 was also historically commemorated on a pastoral stone cairn in 1964. Stepping back in time this egg can almost hear the sounds of pioneers working their fertile land, building homes and settling on the vast prairie.
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Put a hop in your step as it’s time to ‘eggcercise’! From programs and events to drop-in activities, this recreation facility has it all. For a change of pace the egg is safely hidden as part of the children’s scavenger hunt in the indoor playroom. While you’re looking for it’s location be sure to check out the playground equipment and decor. Children must be carefully supervised in this area to ensure their safety and enjoyment. Hint:HumptyDumptysaton awall,butnottheclimbingwall.
Prizes will be drawn on Tuesday, April 14 and announced on the City of Lloydminster’s Facebook page at noon. Winners will be contacted by email.
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Hope you’re not too ‘eggshausted’ as this clue is very rewarding! Whether it’s for a personal achievement such as MVP or winning the team league tournament, this case with glass doors holds physical rewards of success and victory. Remember, we are all champions in our own way and our efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed. Each of us can make a daily difference in other peoples’ lives whether it’s as a child, parent, teacher, coach, team player, friend or co-worker. Kindness always wins!
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The original name of this multi-sport and eventhosting facility when it opened in Spring 2006 was the Common Wealth Centre affectionally called the Multiplex. Carefully look near the south entrance for words which commemorate Alberta’s 100th anniversary; a proud member of the Canadian Confederation. This recreation facility serves many folks from multiple provinces and is a proud pillar of Lloydminster’s recreation scene. You’re cracking me up, this double yolked egg is facing the building wall!
20
distance of 405 feet and is a baseball players’ dream! From the towering scoreboard, large dugouts, a place to batter up and play ball. Fans are welcome to watch the game from the bleachers and cheer their
available and a paved trail. This baseball loving egg faces east so it can greet the morning sun from where the players hang out during their game.
21
Surrounded by nature and sounds of balls being hit hard, this playground has some hidden gems. It’s a great spot for a picnic, to relax outdoors or be interactive with the colourful equipment. Check out the scavenger hunt and search for 10 images attached to the equipment. There are traditional swings, slippery slides, unique climbing walls and a rocking teeter totter. Challenge someone at the
these little cars! This adventure seeking egg climbed up high and is proudly sitting on top of something that is red.
22
This park is closed for the season but there’s a large roadside attraction to visit in the parking lot! The steel sculpture was installed in honour of Saskatchewan’s 2005 centennial. Many folks have noticed this tall structure as they drive by on Highway 16. This attraction represents a gateway to Saskatchewan’s past, present and future. The cloud-like forms are a reference to Saskatchewan’s living skies. Overwhelmed by the sculpture’s size, this egg decided to hide in a lower spot.
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This is an ‘eggceptional’ clue with a trilogy of proud Lloydminster history! Three plaques are displayed on the original Barr Colony headquarters location, another is a brief story behind our district’s gas and oil
Lloyd who served as chaplain and eventually became the leader of the Barr Colonists. Nearby is the iconic Old Minster Log Church from the early 1900s. Did you
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Search for an egg or two at the amazing sponsor’s white and blue retail store nestled on the corner! This unique toy store carries a diverse variety of toys, games, puzzles, candy, novelty items, gifts and so much more. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Let your imagination soar as you explore the store inside and outdoors. Truly a haven for folks of all ages; this store has an irresistible charm to experience. Discover for yourself what makes this shopping experience so special!
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Offering self serve or full gas bar service on Lloydminster’s west side, the sponsor’s location features a world of modern convenience. This location along with their very friendly staff also includes confectionary treats, meal options, seasonal items and propane services. A welcome addition in the past year is a fenced-in Dog Park for our furry family members. Let your dogs off leash and play before continuing on your errands or adventure. Don’t forget your Co-op membership number!
Word on the beat: Traffic collisions
Staff Sgt. JERRY NUTBROWN ..................................
Recently, I witnessed a threevehicle, broadside collision on my way to work. While Lloydminster sees far too many crashes, this scene showed both the best and worst of our community.
I was heartened to see several people stop to help those involved. However, it was disappointing to see other motorists driving dangerously close to the wreckage, and one witness yelling at a driver.
If you encounter a collision, please keep these safety tips in mind: Clear the way : Move your vehicle well away from the scene. Emergency responders need significant space to work. Managing uninvolved bystanders distracts them from focusing 100 per cent on life-saving tasks.
Reposition safely : If you used your vehicle to block a lane and alert others, move it to a safe spot once emergency crews arrive.
Identify yourself : If you witnessed the crash, stay to provide your contact information or a statement to responders. Call it in : If you cannot physically assist, you can still help by calling 911 with specific details.
Prioritize safety: If the crash is minor and vehicles are drivable,
move them to a safe area to exchange information. If there are injuries or blocked lanes, call 911 immediately. Don’t “rubberneck” : For other motorists, gawking is a highrisk behaviour. Focus entirely on navigating the area safely.
At the scene I witnessed, some drivers appeared more upset by the inconvenience than the tragedy. Furthermore, the witness who chose to swear at a driver only added to the chaos. Drivers are often in shock; they need calm, not escalation.
I was incredibly grateful when first responders arrived to take over. By staying calm and staying clear, we can all help them do their jobs more effectively.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future online columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.
Border City Rotary raises money for youth programs
APOSTOLOVSKI
The winners are in. Fundraising efforts by the Border City Rotary Club have wrapped up and three winners were drawn.
Prizes up for grabs included Edmonton Oilers tickets, a quilt and a fridge. Winners were drawn March 25 with the Oilers tickets going to Mike Sidoryk, the quilt to Bill Spence and the fridge going to Olga Ozymchuk.
For the Border City Rotary Club, it serves as a chance to raise money to give back to initiatives they support.
“Because we’re not a large club, we focus on some very specific programs that are near and dear to us,” said Darrell Dunn, Border City Rotary Club president. “RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) and RYLE (Rotary Youth Leadership Experience), it’s a combination of learning about public service, civil service, engagement in what it’s like to be a citizen and relate to government and around government.”
The club, which meets Tuesdays at 7 a.m. at The Diner, has been growing. “I think we’ve got 12 in our club, it’s not a big club, 12 or 13 (members),” said Dunn. “Over the last two or three years, we’ve had five new members. “So, (we’re) continually looking for additional members.”
Anybody interested in joining the
group can attend a meeting or check out their Facebook page at Border City Rotary Club Lloydminster.
Our offices will be closed Good Friday April 3, 2026, but will reopen on Monday.
From left, Richard Starke, Darrell Dunn and Susan Brazeau draw names for the Border City Rotary Club’s raffle. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Lloyd councillors talk tax tensions at ABMunis
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI
Council code of conduct and rising costs were key talking points at the Alberta Municipalities (ABMunis) spring municipal leaders caucus.
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, alongside deputy mayor Michele Charles Gustafson, Coun. Michael Diachuk and city manager Dion Pollard trekked down Highway 16 to Edmonton for the meeting.
The spring leaders caucus took place March 26 and 27.
It was a gathering of leaders from across Alberta, both rural and urban members.
“We heard from the premier, we
heard from the minister of municipal affairs,” said Aalbers. “There was an opportunity to have a cabinet bearpit session where we were able to go to the mic and ask questions of cabinet ministers.”
A variety of issues were brought up for discussion with provincial representatives.
“Some of the biggest issues that were raised were property taxes,” he said.
ABMunis has launched the Property Taxes Reimagined campaign, which aims to share information regarding what’s transpired with property taxes over the last 15 years and funding for municipalities.
“What we’ve seen is, property taxes go up. We’ve seen funding go down,” Aalbers said. “And over 15 years, different provincial governments in Alberta has continuously eroded away at the dollars coming to municipalities.”
A notable update for municipalities includes the council code of conduct, something Alberta previously did away with.
“The government is bringing back codes of conduct legislation for councils, which ours is slightly different because of our relationship with the Lloydminster charter act,” he said.
Full story to come at meridiansource.ca
21 Thursday, April 2, 2026
Bandits eye Hub history
JOHN MacNEIL
Joel Webb, the captain of the Lloydminster Bandits, epitomizes the workmanlike routine that’s customary for junior B hockey players.
Most of them are busy with full-time jobs or as students in high school or post-secondary programs. It’s no different this week as the Bandits host the six-team Hockey Alberta provincial junior B championship from Wednesday through Easter Sunday at the Hub.
Webb planned to go to work Wednesday and Thursday, even though the Bandits play both of those nights. He’d probably be working Friday, too, if it weren’t the Good Friday holiday. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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In his fourth and final season with Lloydminster’s junior B hockey team, Joel Webb leads the Bandits in this week’s provincials at home. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Tigers chase another golden opportunity
chance to redeem ourselves, and we’re looking forward to having the opportunity to do that.”
The Vermilion Tigers believe they’re right where they belong as participants in Hockey Alberta’s provincial junior B championship this week in Lloydminster.
After losing four straight games to the Lloydminster Bandits in the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League final, the Tigers are poised to make another push for gold at the Hub.
“We like, I wouldn’t say the underdog role, but we like our chances,” Vermilion defenceman Gage Haygarth said before the Tigers’ opening game Wednesday against the Calgary Northstars Black.
“Those four games (against Lloyd), we basically lost by one goal every game. I know for me, when you look back at those types of games and series, you ask, ‘What could have I done differently?’
“But we’ve got a group here where we’ve got a
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April 2026
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Whether you are starting, growing, or investing in the County, we are here to help. For resources and business support contact the County’s Economic Development Officer at economicdevelopment@county24.com
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Road Ban #01-26 went into effect on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 8:01 AM. Certain County of Vermilion River roads will be banned at 75%. Visit our Roads webpage to view a detailed list of roads included in the road ban.
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The Tigers are essentially a second local club in the six-team tournament, also involving the La Crete Lumber Barons, Sherwood Park Knights and Medicine Hat Cubs.
Many of the Vermilion players are from Lloydminster and area. The Lloyd contingent with the Tigers includes Haygarth and his father Danny, the team’s head coach. Vermilion’s roster also has strong representation from Marwayne, including the entire captaincy group.
In a provincial schedule oddity, Vermilion and Lloydminster don’t play each other in the preliminary round.
So, if those clubs are to face each other one more time this season, it would be on Easter Sunday in the bronze-medal game at 10:30 a.m., or the gold-medal contest at 2 p.m.
“Hopefully, we’re playing for a gold medal, and hopefully it’s a good, packed crowd Sunday,” said the 20-year-old Haygarth, in his third year playing with the Tigers.
“Playing at the Civic Centre last year in Game 7 (of the league semifinal), it was basically a sold-out crowd, so I’m interested in seeing what happens in a Game 7 type of scenario, us against Lloyd, at the Hub.”
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT
If you are interested in volunteering with one of our stations (Blackfoot, Clandonald, Dewberry, Islay, Kitscoty, Marwayne or Paradise Valley), please contact the County at fire@county24.com
MDP & LUB RENEWAL PROJECT
The County of Vermilion River is updating the MDP and LUB to ensure they reflect current needs, community priorities, future growth and recent changes in the region. Learn more or find ways to get involved by visiting our News, Events & Projects page.
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No Spray Agreements are available to those rate payers who do not want herbicides applied to the municipal road right of way (ROW) adjacent to their property and agree to themselves control weeds and vegetation to meet County vegetation management standards Complete the No Spray Agreement before May 31 annually.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Tigers meet Sherwood Park on Thursday and La Crete on Friday in a pair of 3:30 p.m. games, before finishing preliminary play at 6 p.m. Saturday against Medicine Hat. On the final day of the tournament, Vermilion would like another shot at Lloydminster.
“Obviously, we’d like a little bit of redemption,” Gage Haygarth said. “They like to think they have our number, but we were right there every game (against them). If we go back to the regular season, we played ’em tough all year. We’re just looking forward to getting the chance to redeem ourselves from the league championship.
“It’s a good rivalry. You go out in the town, and you see (Bandits) at Factory (Sports) or you see them at a restaurant. There’s a little bit of bragging rights. If we beat them, we give it to them. If they beat us, they give it to us, so it’s a good rivalry.”
Haygarth is a Lakeland College student who plans to eventually attend the University of Saskatchewan to continue his education studies. As part of a sports-minded family of coaches, he’s going into his second summer as coach of Lloydminster’s 15U AA Pirates baseball team.
“I’ve got ball starting up, provincials (in hockey) and school,” he said of this week’s slate. “It’s been a little bit busy, but I’m doing OK to manage everything.”
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
The Tigers are managing just fine, too, with a junior B hockey roster that only got better with the addition of affiliates Rhett Romanchuk, Kael Scott and Tripp Fischer — all members of the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers this season.
“They’re big contributors,” Haygarth said about the young guns.
“Romanchuk, I can’t speak highly enough on that kid. He’s been with us three years now (as an affiliate). Just being able to watch him develop, he’s six-four and he skates really well. When he comes to our team, he’s not afraid. He plays heavy minutes. Sometimes he’s with me and sometimes with other (defence partners), but he’s really reliable defensively and offensively.
“The same thing with Tripp (Fischer) and Scott. As 15-yearolds, I didn’t think they’d come into the league and be as offensively gifted as they are, but they’re really great hockey
players and they’re going to be great players for years to come.
“There’s been a few times where Scott has scored some goals for us and I’ve had to turn around to our trainer and say, ‘That kid is 15.’ It just blows my mind. He’s a great, 200-foot hockey player. Smart.”
Scott and Fischer have teamed up with scoring leader Cade Meiklejohn to form an offensive line for the Tigers, who lost forward Parker Vaughan to injury during the semifinal series against the Wainwright Bisons.
“You could tell we definitely missed Parker in our Lloyd series,” Haygarth said. “He’s a guy that had his ups and downs all year, but he kind of hit his high going into the playoffs, playing so well in that Wainwright series. It’s tough to lose a guy like that. But, replacing him with Scott and Fischer, will hopefully do the trick for us this weekend.”
The Vermilion Tigers’ Rhett Romanchuk, in action against the Lloydminster Bandits, has made a smooth transition to junior B. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Bandits learn ‘how to handle adversity’
PROVINCIALS FROM PAGE 21
Webb said he’s among several players who juggle their work and school commitments with their love of the game.
The Bandits had a week off the ice after winning the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League championship, in which they swept the Vermilion Tigers, the other local representative in this week’s provincials.
“We won on Saturday (March 21), celebrated, and it was kind of back to work on Monday,” said Webb, a 22-year-old forward in his final season of junior hockey. “That was that.
“So, it’s not like I even get too much time off to be lazy. I’m a pretty physical guy, so it’s going all the time for me and lots of other guys on our team who do that (active schedule) as well.
“It’s good to get your legs under you, too. When you’re moving around all day, as opposed to sitting around, it makes a difference come game time, too.”
The Bandits have been a going concern all season. They won the regular-season pennant and went 8-1 in the playoffs, including a 4-1 series victory over the Killam Wheat Kings in the league semifinals.
“I think our biggest thing we learned (this season) was definitely how to handle adversity,” Webb said about his Bandits. “There were quite a few times, three out of the four games in the final, where we were down off the jump. And we just had good, resilient comeback wins.
“I think that loss against Killam in the first round might have even been a good thing for some guys. It was a learning experience. From there on out, we learned how to handle pressure, whenever it came to us.”
A CALMING INFLUENCE
Wily veterans like Webb, Jayden Plamondon and Kade Dennett are cool customers with the Bandits. Not to mention goaltender Shae Stewart, a calming influence between the pipes.
“Shae is one of those guys that will rise to the occasion,” Webb said about the Turtleford farmer. “If he has an off night, you know he’s going to come back and play the best game of his year the next.
“He handles the pressure very well. I don’t know what it is
about him. He’s just a big-game player. That’s all I can say.”
Webb can’t say enough about Lloydminster’s productive Kid Line — or pipeline — of Cash Parkin, Jake Redden and Colton Parker.
“Our whole line of Jake and Cash and Colton have just been fantastic,” he said. “They’re all rookies, but you can’t tell.
“They handle themselves very well. They’re our best forechecking line and they’re great defensively. They really have impressed me so far with their play and their ability to find the offence from their resilient forecheck.”
At the same time, they’re fearless on the ice, and not easily intimidated.
“It helps that they probably are our biggest line,” Webb reasoned. “We’re not necessarily a massive team, but they all throw their weight around pretty well and they can hang with anybody. They can hang with guys my age. They’re good, strong young men.”
In their opening game of the provincial championship tournament, the Bandits were going against the Medicine Hat Cubs on Wednesday night, before facing the La Crete Lumber Barons on Thursday night, the Calgary Northstars Black on Friday evening and the Sherwood Park Knights on Saturday afternoon. Sherwood Park won the Capital Junior Hockey League championship just last weekend.
COMFORTS OF HOME
The Bandits considered themselves fortunate to be rested, as they regrouped for practice this Monday night.
“Yeah, especially matching up against Medicine Hat first,” Webb said. “They did the same thing as us, sweeping their league, so we’ll be on the same page there, with them. But they’ve got the five-hour bus trip, so hopefully we’ll be able to get the jump on them.
“It’s always something to get situated in a new atmosphere. Hotels aren’t necessarily the best living (conditions), so we’ve got that advantage as well.”
The Bandits are trying to write a perfect opening chapter for playoff hockey at the Hub.
“Yeah, it would be nice to set a tone of atmosphere within the new rink,” Webb said. “There’s no past, so it would be nice to bring home a provincial banner for the teams that have home ice at the Energy Hub.”
If the Bandits and Tigers meet each other in provincials, it would either be in the bronze- or gold-medal games Sunday.
“Yeah, absolutely, you never know, we could be seeing them in the playoff round, if we’re both as good as we think,” Webb said with a chuckle.
“Every game in the final was very tight. The only game that wasn’t a one-goal game, we scored an empty-netter. So, they’re right there with us and we can’t write them off. We gotta throw everything we’ve got.”
While junior hockey is coming to an end for Bandits’ overagers Webb, Plamondon, Dennett and Stewart, Webb believes the focus is still on winning a provincial championship.
“It hasn’t set in yet,” he said about graduating.
“I think it’s more the excitement of getting to play in a provincial tournament, at home, with the whole team.
“It’s a privilege and it’s an opportunity to go out with a bang. I think when it’s all said and done, I’ll be a little teary eyed, but right now I’m just excited to get going with provincials.”
Tears show pain of Bobcats’ early exit
JOHN MacNEIL
A short playoff run and an extended postgame commiseration brought tears to the eyes of an emotional group of Lloydminster Bobcats, especially for graduating players like starting goaltender Ty Matonovich.
“Yeah, it’s a little emotional,” said Matonovich, whose recurring knee injury forced him to sit out the Bobcats’ seasonending 5-3 loss to the Grande Prairie Storm, which swept Lloyd in the AJHL’s North Division semifinals for a second straight year.
“We all fought together so hard this season. All of us 20s, we’re
all grateful for the opportunity to be a Bobcat … as tough as it is losing in four. It’s hard, but there’s no group I’d rather finish it out with than these guys. I’m glad I finished with these guys, at least.”
A March 25 finish wasn’t expected for a Bobcats team that loaded up at the January trade deadline and was seemingly built to go deep in the playoffs, or at least in the first round. But player departures and injuries eventually caught up with a depleted Lloyd lineup. Not to mention a Grande Prairie juggernaut that has won 24 times in its past 27 games.
‘NEVER
GAVE UP’
“We had all the pieces to do it all, but we just came up short against a great Grande Prairie team,” said Matonovich, a Calgarian who joined the Bobcats in November from the SJHL. “Yeah, it sucks, but we never gave up in that room. Even being down two, three games even, we never gave up. It just speaks to what kind of people we’ve got in that room. Just great people in general.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
The Bobcats’ Kael Screpnek and the Storm’s Max Leduc line up against each other in Game 4 on March 25 at the Hub. John MacNeil Meridian Source
2026 ASSESSMENT NOTICE
MUNICIPALITY OF MERVIN NO. 499
Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Roll of the R.M. of Mervin No. 499 for the year 2026 has been prepared and is open to inspection from April 1st, 2026 to May 1, 2026. Please contact us by calling 306-845-2045 or emailing rm499@rmofmervin.com and we will make the information available to you.
A bylaw pursuant to Section 214 of the Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person wishing to discuss their assessment please contact SAMA at 1-800-824-2570 or 1-306-446-7665. SAMAView is a website application that allows the general public to access individual property assessments. You can access SAMAView at www.sama.sk.ca and click on the SAMAView link to create a free account.
Any person who wishes to appeal against their assessment or classi cation is required to le a notice of appeal accompanied by an appeal fee, which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with:
The Secretary of the Board of Revision R.M. of Mervin No. 499 P.O. Box 130 Turtleford, SK S0M 2Y0
Appeal forms and payment must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on May 1, 2026. Appeal fees vary depending on the property classi cation. Please contact our o ce to determine the correct appeal fee that must accompany your notice of appeal.
Dated this 31st day of March, 2026.
Shiloh Bronken Assessor
After dropping two hard-fought overtime games in Grande Prairie the previous weekend, Lloydminster lost on back-to-back nights at home in the first sampling of AJHL playoffs at the Hub. In the critical Game 3, the Bobcats fell 6-3 on a snowy night in Lloyd. A day later and after one more loss, the Bobcats’ playoff path turned out to be as short as the partially cleared walkway outside the Hub.
Matonovich and company tried to push through the Storm — and the pain — for as long as they could. Still dealing with a knee injury from late in the regular season, the Bobcats’ goaltender re-aggravated his strained MCL “pretty badly” early in Game 2, but he finished that contest and played the entire next game as well.
“I’d have to get stretchered off (the ice) not to play in that game,” he said about Game 2. “But the boys rallied, even though we came up short.”
‘THE TOUGH CALL’
Matonovich realized after Game 3 that he could no longer perform effectively, because of his lingering ailment. He gave way to fellow 20-year-old Trent Peterson for the fourth game, and affiliated goaltender Carsten Leyerzapf dressed as the backup.
“It was too much at the end of the day,” Matonovich said. “I think I would have been hurting myself and the team (to have played). Just had to make the tough call.”
The Bobcats’ Alex Levasseur raises his arms after Landen Ward’s gameopening goal in Lloyd’s season-ending 5-3 loss to the Storm on March 25.
John MacNeil Meridian Source
McIlwain commits to Red Deer in ACAC
The Bobcats outshot the Storm 37-16 as Grande Prairie’s standout goaltender, Leland Gill, posted his fourth victory in as many playoff games. Game 4 marked the first AJHL playoff action for Peterson, who joined Lloyd in February from the North American Hockey League and didn’t lose in regulation as he went 5-0-2 in regular-season play after Matonovich got hurt.
BY THE NUMBERS
In the Round 1 finale, back-to-back goals from captain Colin Doherty put the Storm up 4-1 for the second consecutive night. The Bobcats pushed back with third-period goals from Jadon Iyogun and Alex Levasseur, whose second point of the game narrowed the gap to 4-3 with five minutes left.
Grande Prairie defenceman Matthew Gillard potted an emptynet goal with one second remaining.
Lloydminster forward Landen Ward opened the scoring with a power-play
goal just 2:20 into the game. Will Harris evened the score six minutes later and Braeden Veldhuizen, on the power play, put the Storm up 2-1 — and ahead to stay — before the first period ended.
Four GP players — Doherty, Veldhuizen, Rylan Bissett and Treysen Miller — contributed two points each in the seriesclinching victory.
Overall in the series, Bissett collected four assists in as many games against the Bobcats, who traded his AJHL playing rights to the Storm last October, while the 18-year-old forward was playing in the BCHL.
TURNING THE PAGE
While Grande Prairie now faces the pennantwinning Whitecourt Wolverines in the North Division final, this is the end of the line for Lloyd, and the closing chapter in the junior hockey lives of six Bobcats — Iyogun, Matonovich, Peterson, Gus El-Tahhan, Kade Fendelet and Oakley McIlwain.
COLLEGE CHAPTER
Iyogun, the team’s top scorer in the regular season, committed early on to playing NCAA Division 1 hockey at Tennessee State University.
On March 30, the Bobcats announced that McIlwain, a towering hometown defenceman, plans to play with the Red Deer Kings of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
As he contemplates his next move, Matonovich is first focusing on his health.
“I’m not ready to commit yet,” he said, standing a few feet away from one of the university coaches who scouted Game 4.
“I just want to take my time with (a decision). I’ve got to make sure my body is healthy, too. The hockey is one thing, but I’m 20 years old, and if my knee is not doing well and I need surgery, health comes first. I’ve got to figure all that stuff out, and then hockey comes second after that.”
Similar finish eliminates Bobcats
JOHN MacNEIL
The bump on the playoff road seems to have only become steeper for the Border City’s boys of winter.
For the second straight year, the Lloydminster Bobcats’ season ended unceremoniously, with a four-game sweep at the hands of their playoff nemesis, the Grande Prairie Storm.
This year was supposed to be different. Many pundits had expected the best-ofseven North Division semifinal between Lloyd and Grande Prairie to be one of the longest battles in the first round of the AJHL playoffs. It turned out to be the shortest, ending on March 25, and it was the only sweep in the league’s quarter-finals.
Young goaltender impresses Matonovich
BOBCATS FROM PAGE 27
As he trains in Calgary this summer, Matonovich hopes he runs into fellow Bobcats, including young goalie Leyerzapf, the affiliate from Calgary’s Edge U18 prep team.
Leyerzapf, who just turned 17 in January, was a winner in his AJHL debut, as he helped Lloyd defeat the Fort McMurray Oil Barons 2-1 in a shootout March 14, the final day of the regular season.
Soon after that performance, Leyerzapf
was called up to the major junior Wenatchee Wild and made 54 saves on March 20 in his team’s 5-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips, the WHL’s regular-season champions. He stopped another 54 shots the next night as Wenatchee lost 6-5 to Everett.
‘A BRIGHT FUTURE’
“I’ll be seeing him around, for sure,” Matonovich said of Leyerzapf. “The hockey world is so small, you kind of see everyone (at one point or another). I’ll definitely see him in the summer, and hope nothing but the best for him going forward.
“He’s a great guy. He played a game with us, made an impact, and won the game. Then, I was happy when I heard he was going up to the WHL and got a couple of starts. He made the most of it, so super proud of him. He’s got a bright future ahead of him next year and the following year. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on him.”
Lloydminster’s Landen Ward powers his way into the Grande Prairie zone during the Storm’s series-clinching win. John MacNeil Meridian Source
‘One of those teams that have our number’
“It almost seems like Grande Prairie is just one of those teams that have our number,” said Bobcats assistant coach Matt Brassard, the lone member of Lloydminster’s current coaching staff who was also part of the organization last year.
“It happens at every level. You look at the NHL. When I was growing up, Pittsburgh was kind of the dominant team in the NHL. Washington always had good teams and they had to run into (the Penguins). Finally, (the Capitals) got over the hump one year and they won the (Stanley) Cup.
“Maybe (the Storm) is just one of those teams that have our number. But, every team, every group, is different. I think, the way things were approached, as a staff, were different this year. The ways things were approached on the ice this year were different. The rosters were different. But, at the end of the day, hockey is hockey. You’ve got to go out and play.”
Just three points separated the North’s second-place Storm from the No. 3 Bobcats in the regular season. Scoring 34 wins and 75 points during its 55-game schedule, Lloyd also placed third in the overall standings in the 12-team league.
COACH ‘PROUD’
“I’m proud of this group,” said Brassard, a former Vancouver Canucks’ defence prospect who played major junior in Ontario and university hockey
in Prince Edward Island. “I’m proud of what we did throughout the season. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get results in the playoffs. But we’re looking forward to building on it and getting over that hump one day.
“Obviously, it’s tough to see the season come to an end. But I’m happy with the boys. I’m happy with a lot of the steps a lot of them made. That’s really rewarding as coaches. You just want to see guys get better throughout the year. That’s what happened.
“Yeah, it’s always tough to see the 20s move on. That was the kind of the message to the other guys, is how quickly it goes by. I always say my junior days were the best days of my life, and I hope they feel the same. It’s the 18s and 19s who can come back for another year, hopefully they remember this feeling, and they don’t take any days for granted, because before you know it, it could be over.”
Matthew Lesyk and Grande Prairie swept Lloyd in consecutive years. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Fendelet reflects on his junior career
Similar to last year’s playoff script, Grande Prairie made the most of home ice, winning 3-2 and 2-1 overtime games before the series switched to Lloydminster, where the Storm intensified and posted 6-3 and 5-3 victories, respectively.
A playoff sweep always stings, even for generally upbeat people like Bobcats’ graduating captain Kade Fendelet, the Lloyd-raised forward whose family now calls Saskatoon home.
“It’s a weird feeling,” the 20-yearold Fendelet said after his last game as a Bobcat. “I remember being 16 or 17, a rookie coming in, not really knowing what was going on. But, just after playing my last game, you try to take it all in and really embrace those friendships and memories, because going forward, that’s really all we can bring forth from here. You just really want to take in these next couple of days with the group, as much as you can.”
Fendelet, the Bobcats’ top scorer in this year’s playoffs, is also the longestserving member among the team’s six graduating players. That group includes both goaltenders, Ty Matonovich and Trent Peterson, defenceman Oakley McIlwain and forwards Gus El-Tahhan and Jadon Iyogun.
Primed for a playoff push, the Bobcats ran into injury trouble at the most inopportune time. Key forward Kael Screpnek missed Game 1, starting goalie Matonovich wasn’t able to play in Game 4, and valuable forward Raphael
Messier was sidelined for the final two games of the series. Not to mention the prolonged absence of second-year defenceman Noah Smith, out since before Christmas.
All those injuries, and the unscheduled departures of defenceman Esteban Cinq-Mars, forward Matthew Hikida and goaltender Jaiden Sharma, combined to weaken a Lloyd team that had been built for a post-season run.
The Bobcats used their considerable size to assert themselves physically in what proved to be a doubleedged strategy. While they made life difficult for their opponents, they also sometimes made life difficult for themselves, taking undisciplined penalties in the process.
“It’s a fine line,” Fendelet agreed. “It’s easy to say stuff once it’s all said and done. From a team standpoint, there are things we would have liked to have done differently. There’s no sense now just reminiscing on that. Stuff happens and I guess it is what it is. All we can do is learn from this and hope it doesn’t happen again to anyone in this group.”
In the regular season, the Bobcats placed third in the AJHL overall. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Depleted lineup caught up with Bobcats
FROM PAGE 30
As for playing with a thinner lineup down the stretch, the Lloyd captain chalked up those challenges as par for the course.
“Every team is going to go through adversity and be put in tough situations, I guess, but I think our team handled it as well as we could,” Fendelet said. “Like you said, we were short of guys. There was some stuff that we would like to have had that we didn’t, coming into the run here. But, like I said, every team deals with it, so you can’t use those excuses. We could have found a way, but we just weren’t able to.
“You want to go as far as you can (in playoffs). We had a great regular season and a great group of guys. I’d like to think we left it all out there and did as much as we could.”
For the likes of Fendelet, university hockey is the probable next step in his career. He said he would take the coming weeks, or months, to review his options. He said his immediate plan was to find work in Saskatoon for this spring and summer.
For the Storm, the job
an ongoing battle with Bobcats’ imposing forward Landen Ward. A couple of years ago, they were Lloyd U18 AAA teammates. Ward is a son of former NHLer Lance, and Pickford is a brother of likely future NHLer Bryce.
remains on the ice as they go up against the regularseason champions, the Whitecourt Wolverines, in the North final, which begins Friday, April 3. Whitecourt lost its playoffopener, before rattling off four straight victories to eliminate the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in their division semifinal.
“Oh yeah, it’s always nice to get a bigger rest than the other teams, heal up from this playoff series, because obviously it’s a grind,” said Grande Prairie defenceman Reily Pickford, an 18-year-old Chauvin, Alta., native. “It’s going to be nice.
“Only coming up here (to Lloydminster) one time, that’s also nice. Getting it out of the way, the driving.”
The versatile Pickford was in the thick of things all series, including
“Yeah, we kind of went at it there a bit,” Pickford said after the series-clinching game. “Me, I’ve got nothing against Ward, but we’re not close. It’s a series. I don’t really know the guy (well). I played with him one year in midget — it was a good year. Nothing against him, but it’s playoffs.”
It was a showcase of playoff hockey, particularly early in the series as both games in Grande Prairie went to overtime.
“I thought, especially the first two games, they were very close,” Pickford concurred. “They could have gone either way, but we battled through it and stuck to our game. I’d say (the difference was) just sticking to our game plan, and doing what we know we can do. Everyone has a different role, and just sticking to that.”
Reily Pickford and Grande Prairie stood tall against Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Messier, Smith watch from the sidelines
JOHN MacNEIL ..................................
As difficult as it was for the Lloydminster Bobcats to suffer another playoff sweep against the Grande Prairie Storm, it was especially heart-wrenching for those injured Lloyd players who helplessly watched as the season ended.
“It was tough,” said Bobcats forward Raphael Messier, whose shoulder injury from Game 1 eventually sidelined him for the final two contests in the four-game series.
“You know you can’t really control anything. You’re in the stands and hoping that the boys will be good. I was more stressed, not playing, than playing. Yeah, it was a rough, tough finish.”
Messier was an integral part of the Bobcats all year during his first season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
He came to Lloydminster last summer after playing parts of two seasons with the major junior Quebec Remparts in his native province.
Storm stays ‘calm and cool’ versus Bobcats
FROM PAGE 31
A heavy Lloydminster team accentuated physicality, and Grande Prairie did its best to counter that with aggression and skill.
“I’d say just being able to play our game, not getting too much into it — because you never know what’s going to happen with the reffing and stuff you can’t control,” Pickford said. “But just being able to stay calm and cool, and not retaliating.”
Doing so was particularly challenging
for Pickford, who previously played U18 AAA with four members of the junior A Bobcats.
“Yeah, it is, definitely,” he said. “I’ve played with them before. Yeah, it is always tough to stay calm and not retaliate. Sometimes, they get the best of you.”
The Storm — sporting bleached hair for playoff team unity — gained an eight-day break between games before facing Whitecourt, which had six days between the first and second rounds.
AJHL
The Bobcats’ Luke Dooley goes to the net against Storm goaltender Leland Gill during Game 4 in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Smith on Hikida: ‘We all wish he would have stayed’
BOBCATS FROM PAGE 32
An anticipated long playoff run this spring turned out to be an abbreviated journey for the Bobcats, and even more so for injured players like Messier.
“It started in Game 1,” Messier recounted about his injury from the playoff-opener. “I fell on my right shoulder. I taped it for the second game, but I fell on it a second time during Game 2. After a couple of tests, (I was told) I was done for one or two weeks.”
This year’s playoffs lasted less than a week — six days — for a Bobcats team that was swept by the Storm for a second straight season.
In both years, Lloydminster defenceman Noah Smith was forced to watch the playoffs from the sidelines, as he continued to recover from shoulder surgery in 2025.
“It’s hard to be in the stands and watching the boys go through everything that they’ve been going through, just all the battles, and not being in the fight with them,” said Smith, who turned 19 in February. “It’s hard.
“Yeah, it’s the same thing (as last year). These (Storm) guys have our number.”
Although he’s been based back home in Brooks, Alta., for the second half of this season, Smith has made regular trips to Lloydminster during Bobcats’ homestands. He especially wanted to visit last week as they played what turned out to be their final two games of the playoffs.
“I was involved the whole time, watching every game from back home,” he said. “Every opportunity I could to come up, when we had two games at home, I’d come up. It was worth it every time.”
While convalescing at home this
winter, Smith attended BCHL games between the Brooks Bandits and Okotoks Oilers. Afterward, he caught up with former teammate Matthew Hikida, who suddenly left Lloydminster in February and joined Okotoks. The Oilers failed to qualify for their playoffs.
“I watched two Bandits games when Matthew Hikida was in town, so I went down and saw him, twice actually,” Smith said. “It was good to see him. But I’d rather be out here (playing) than watching Brooks play.”
The AJHL’s Bobcats, of course, missed the services of Hikida, a 19-year-old forward, during their ill-fated playoff push.
“I talked to him,” Smith said. “It’s kind of hard to leave and then go to a team that’s not even cracking playoffs. We all wish he would have stayed. But it is what it is. Everything happens for a reason.”
Smith, meanwhile, is focused on making a full comeback in the 2026-27 season.
“I’ve been doing rehab as much as I can, doing everything the doctor has been telling me to do — physio — and just trying to get it as healthy as I can,” he said. “The plan was to come back (this year), but unfortunately, the doctor said that wasn’t the best route to go down.
“It’s going good, though. It’s feeling better. It’s only up from here.”
It’s a similar mindset for Smith’s brother Cage, a 17-yearold forward with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. Cage has recovered from a high-ankle sprain and is back in the Oil Kings’ lineup for their first-round playoff series against the Saskatoon Blades.
After playing major junior last season in the QMJHL, the Bobcats’ Messier would like to
test another shot at that level before committing to return to Lloydminster next season.
“I don’t know yet (about next year),” said Messier, who turned 19 in January. “Obviously, I will try to be back at major junior. After that, I will see what my options are. I will take a moment to think about it this summer.
“The Q was a pretty good experience for me, especially at the young age of 16. This year, I wanted to maybe try another experience, so I came here (to Lloydminster). It was a great experience for me.”
Messier was one of the Bobcats’ top forwards and skated with Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge last December back home in Quebec.
“A pretty good year,” he said about his Border City stay. “It was tough to adapt here, especially at the beginning of the year when I was not very good in English. So, it was pretty tough. But, it’s a very special group, honestly. The boys welcomed me pretty well. The group of players, every guy in the locker-room, is pretty special.”
Messier was able to live with French-speaking billets in Lloyd, along with his billet mate Mathieu Menard of the U17 AAA Lloydminster Lancers. Menard and the Lancers are in their Hockey Alberta provincials this week.
“It was my first time having a billet brother,” Messier said. “At my other billet in Quebec, I was always alone. It was a bit of adapting this year, but it was fun. A new experience again. It was pretty cool.
“I heard the Lancers made it to provincials, so that’s pretty good for Mathieu and his team. I hope they will do well.”
embrace
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