Meridian Source

Hub opening on track for September

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

It’s been a long time coming and the finish line is in sight for the Cenovus Energy Hub.

Media toured the new arena Tuesday (May 27) as construction moved closer to completion this summer.

The main foyer offers an open concept, giving a bigger feel to the facility.

“This is our main foyer area, it’s quite open as you can see,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers as he led media into the facility for the first time. “It’ll have lots of good viewing, (and) some natural light, of course.”

Just outside the doors of the Hub, parking lots could accommodate almost 800 vehicles. If the city were to need more parking, they would work with local companies on shuttling people into the area. The city would also look to shuttle individuals from various parking lots around Lloyd.

Staircases lead to both rinks from the entrance, along with an elevator getting people between the three floors.

Notable design elements for the arena include concession being available to both rinks.

“All the services will be available to serve both rinks from one location,” said Aalbers.

Doors will be rolled up when service is available, allowing for the closure of the alcohol side if the event does not permit it.

As part of the design of the Cenovus Energy Hub, the rinks were made more accessible.

“Both are equipped for sledge hockey,” said Tracy Simpson, the city’s executive manager of community development services. “The player boxes are wider so they can sit in their sleds in the boxes.

“The benches hockey players sit on can be removed. Then the sleds can be in there nice and comfortably.”

The rinks aren’t the only thing made more accessible, as the entire facility can be passed throughout without going over any barriers.

“If you were in a wheelchair, you can get from the front doors, into the change room, into a shower and onto the bench without having to go over any barriers,” said Simpson.

APP unites seperatists at Lloyd Ex

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Nearly 400 people gathered to hear speakers from the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), which is a seperatist movement

currently campaigning across the province.

The group wants to see Alberta become more self-governing, and possibly independent from Canada.

The event, held at the Lloyd Ex’s Nissan

Hall on May 22, featured presentations by APP president Dr. Dennis Modry and spokesperson Tanner Hnidey, as well as APP CEO Mitch Sylvestor.

Source reporter Christian Apostolovski (right) takes it all in while on a May 27 media tour of the Cenovus Energy Hub led by Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Energy Hub struts stuff during media tour

The new arena will be much brighter with white walls lending to increased brightness.

Seats in the main arena have been installed, boards are in place and crews are working on installing plexiglass.

The facility has washrooms at each corner of the building.

“There’s four banks of washrooms for people to access on all four corners of the building,” said Simpson.

With media in mind, the new arena is much more equipped for photography and video.

“There are spots on that side, as well as this side and on the community rink, for cutouts for ice-level photography,” said Simpson from the press box.

“As well as some other camera spots throughout the arena, so you can get some good footage,” said Aalbers.

A new upgrade will be permanent cameras giving way for streaming of events.

“We’ll have the ability to stream on both ice surfaces at the same time,” said Simpson. “There are fixed cameras in the score clock on centre ice, as well as either end.

“Locations around the concourse for plug and play and additional cameras.”

There will be a central scoreboard in the centre, with a permanent camera in it, along with scoreboards at either end of the ice.

Constructing the new facility has boosted the local economy.

“We’ve seen local journeymen, as well as neighbours, being hired by either PCL or people below,” said Aalbers. “Local rental companies have been supplying a great deal of material.”

PCL has felt accepted into the community throughout the construction process.

“We’ve been really intentional, we’ve had a number of really good contractors from Lloydminster,” said Adam Proznick, project manager. “We’ve tried to buy as much materials and rental equipment from local vendors as well.

“It’s been a pleasure working here and we feel like we’ve been accepted really quickly into the community.”

The low roof of the Civic Centre was a tough sell when it came to some tournaments coming to Lloydminster.

“The Pinty’s (Grand Slam of Curling) were very successful here a number of years ago at the Centennial Civic Centre,” said Aalbers. “But the ceiling was too low for them to get a complete shot of the 12-foot circle.”

He says Pinty’s wouldn’t come back until they fix the problem of the low roof.

The new arena offers flexibility for various types of events, not just on-ice spectacles.

“We can convert it into any kind of facility it needs to be for, conventions or basketball, volleyball, pickleball,” said Aalbers.

The new facility, as planned by the city, won’t have an impact on the other facilities, he said. Rather, they’ll work well with each other.

“We’re not taking away from any of the other facilities in the community, including the curling rink, the Civ, (and) Juba, they should all complement,” said Aalbers.

The new facility will come with 19 dressing rooms.

“So, main dressing room, we have four large, two small on each side, plus two ref rooms (and) five private dressing rooms,” said Simpson.

Even with the lease agreements signed between the city and the various teams around Lloyd, they are still free to play out of any of the facilities.

“They can definitely play anywhere. Their preferred choice would be to play here because those fives teams will be (based) here,” said Simpson.

If a tournament were to be hosted in Lloydminster that required extended facility use, the teams may be directed to other facilities during that time.

“If you had, say Pinty’s, here and we had to flip the ice to curling ice for 10 days as an example, they would play somewhere else in the city,” said Simpson. “They’re not limited to just playing here.”

Some of the sponsor boxes on the third floor, which offer a view of the main arena, are still for sale.

“We have four large ones that are kind of 18-person capacity. We have four that are nine-person capacity and two that are six-person,” said Simpson. “They’ll be going on sale just in the next, probably month or so, a lot more details coming.”

If the city decides to expand, there is room around the Hub to do so. The outdoor rink will have boards from the 2014 Scotiabank Hockey Canada Day in Canada.

The Cenovus Energy Hub finally has a more definitive opening date.

“We’re on track for an early September open,” said Simpson.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers and members of the media talk inside the future press box at the soon-to-open Cenovus Energy Hub. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source FROM PAGE 1

Forum sees separation talks, counter protest

Speakers shared beliefs on Alberta’s need to make significant changes to protect its future.

“The purpose of the Alberta Prosperity Project is to educate, unite and activate,” said Modry to the crowd. “To create the most free and prosperous Alberta for generations to come.”

The room was packed with people who clapped and cheered during the over two-hour event.

Many nodded along as speakers criticized federal policies, taxes and control over Alberta’s resources. Hnidey spoke about how Alberta’s wealth is being lost.

“Because of equalization and because of the way the federal government treats us, that wealth gets siphoned off,” he said.

He said Alberta is being treated unfairly.

“In their view, Alberta is a colony,” said Hnidey. The event focused on big-picture ideas as well as policy details. Although they don’t have a publicly available constitution yet, Modry stressed the importance of public support.

“You cannot rely on politicians to solve this problem,” he said. “Only the people can.”

At the back of the hall, a small group of protestors held signs. They said they didn’t want Alberta to leave Canada. They raised concerns about the health act, the destabilized economy and Indigenous rights issues.

They also wanted to know what would happen to people who refused to leave but also declined to be an Alberta nationalist. They stood near the back of the gathering and remained peaceful.

Modry said peaceful disagreement is part of democracy. He encouraged people to learn more and form their own opinions.

Hnidey talked about the need for Albertans to control their own future.

“We have to look at how do we keep more of that wealth here,” he said. “How do we structure the agreements and the laws that keep our wealth working for us.”

He pointed out that Alberta is a landlocked province in Canada. That makes it harder to get full

value for its oil and gas. Getting access to tidewaters would be important going forward, regardless of the result of any possible vote.

“We don’t get market prices for our oil,” he said. “We don’t get market prices for our gas.”

The Alberta Prosperity Project says it wants to build a movement through education. It plans to keep holding events across the province.

Modry said the goal is not to divide people, but to unite them around a better future.

“We will make Alberta free and prosperous,” he said. “We will make Alberta powerful and protected.”

The evening ended with a question period. A bunch of pails were also passed around to help fundraise for the cause.

The APP says it will continue pushing for change through public support. Speakers urged people to talk to their neighbours, attend events and stay involved.

“Nothing changes,” Modry said. “Unless the people make it change.”

Local Business Directory

FROM PAGE 1

APP CEO Mitch Sylvestor addresses the crowd at the Nissan Hall on May 22. Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE

Weekend events celebrate church history

family time.”

It’s been 100 years in the making and now it’s time to celebrate.

Grace United Church is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.

“We’re celebrating our entity and our involvement in the community, but it’s primarily to celebrate unification from 100 years ago,” said Alice Robinson, of the Grace United Church Centennial Planning Committee.

A Family Fun Fest, put on by Grace United Church, will bring smiles to Weaver Heritage Park on May 31.

“Anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., anybody in the community is welcome to come and enjoy old fashioned games, ice cream and music,” said Robinson. “(It’ll be) a relaxing

Live music will be performed by the Prairie Dogs. Food and drinks will be available for event goers.

“There’s going to be hot dogs, potato chips, bottles of water,” she said. “We’ll have the homemade ice cream that the museum people put on.”

Whatever the weather looks like, event organizers are prepared.

“We’re going to have some shelters, some tent canopies,” said Robinson. “It’s outside, if it really does rain or becomes too hot, then people can go into the log cabin or go into the heritage implements building.”

Local history will also be available to take in as part of the event.

“People can come and tour the Rendell House, the heritage vehicles,” she said.

The celebration continues June 1 with the centennial celebration service at Grace United Church.

“A centennial focussed church service,” said Robinson. “Our church services start at 10 a.m. and it’ll be followed by a luncheon.”

Grace United Church has a storied history in Lloydminster.

“The United Church of Canada was created in 1925 so it’s 100 years,” said Robinson. “Grace United Church used to be Grace Methodist Church and we’re technically 121 years old.”

The Family Fun Fest is free to the public, greeters from the church will be welcoming individuals into the event.

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Grace United Church. File photo

Lions celebrate citizens of year

“Both my parents have been involved in Kinsmen Connects since I can remember.”

The Lloydminster Lions Club recently celebrated its senior and junior citizens of the year, Otis Rusling and Kianna Wildeman.

The awards recognize those who go above and beyond to improve the community. Many have years of volunteering experience.

Rusling, an active member of the community, says his busy schedule exists because of volunteering, not despite it. He says recognition is nice.

After moving to Lloydminster in 1978, Rusling immediately became involved in various community roles. He found more time to volunteer in the mid-2000s.

“I worked, but I retired and got involved in hockey,” he said.

His work spans multiple organizations and events. He’s a member of the Public Art Advisory Committee and the Friends of Weaver Heritage Park and helps run Border City Connects.

“After Glenn (Fagnan) passed in June last year, we realized how little we knew about how it ran,” said Rusling. “I’ve been working hard to ensure things ran smoothly.”

He called Fagnan, a former face of Border City Connects, a “special person.”

Rusling says many community groups, especially Border City Connects’ caravan program, are always in need of help.

“You never know what people can do to help,” he said.

He said if anyone is looking for other places to give time, the Friends of Weaver Heritage Park also always needs people.

“We need volunteers to do Festival of Trees,” said Rusling, noting they had volunteers to run the Tractors and Pie event as well.

He helped organize the Tractors and Pie event at Weaver Heritage Park this past weekend, which is part of a larger effort to support the Lloydminster Heritage Society.

Rusling views community service as a way of life. He grew up in a household of volunteers.

“My parents weren’t selfish, at all,” he said. “They gave to their community.”

He doesn’t see finding time to volunteer as an issue and certain moments stand out from his time giving back.

“Royal Bank Cup,” said Rusling without hesitation. “I’m big into hockey. The rink was full and the rink was loud … it was a heck of a time.”

Being a part of things bigger than himself makes him happy.

During the meeting, a loving nomination from Kianna Wildeman’s parents preceded her winning the award.

Wildeman, 20, has been helping others and giving back for as long as she can remember.

“I’ve been a Kinette kid all of my life,” she said.

Wildeman recalls helping with numerous projects while growing up, including the building of the Kinsmen Park near her childhood home.

Her father, Darcy, who helped nominate her, says she even assisted with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park.

However, over the years, she has contributed to numerous other Kinsmen events.

“I’ve helped with Christmas trees,” she said. “I’ve helped with the TeleMiracle that they hosted annually.”

She also volunteers at the Kinsmen Hall.

“I’ve helped with that ever since they’ve gotten possession of the place,” she said.

Wildeman has been active in Saskatoon District events for the past two years.

“I formed a new role called Junior Ambassador,” she said. “The goal of my position was to get my age group more involved.”

Wildeman tried to make the event more youthfriendly, explaining that she brought social media to it. She said older members did not always accept her ideas.

“I don’t know if any of you guys know what Snapchat is ... that’s a very popular social media that my generation uses,” said Wildeman. “Having an older generation kind of … not frown upon, but just kind of put our ideas to the side, can be frustrating.”

But she pushed on. She believes young people want to help, but need support.

“There’s lots of other people like me,” she said. “They are just waiting to get involved.”

Engaging others to participate in giving back is something she has come to realize is challenging.

“It’s not easy,” she said. “I think making it not seem like such a chore to volunteer would help.”

Wildeman said it helps to show young people how much their work matters.

“Seeing what your contributions are doing for the community,” she said. “That’s very heartwarming.”

For more information on the Lions Club, the Citizen of the year award, and upcoming events, visit their website.

Otis Rusling (second from left) and Kianna Wildeman (second from right) receive their Senior and Junior Citizen of the Year awards from club members Rick Campbell and Shelley Tatro prior to a recent Lloydminster Lions Club meeting. Dan Gray Meridian Source

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Lloyd property tax to increase 2.47 per cent

The City of Lloydminster has passed its 2025 property tax mill rate, bringing with it a 2.47 per cent property tax increase. That is down from the original 4.5 per cent increase, but up slightly from the previous 2.37 per cent.

A drop in assessment was the cause of the slightly higher tax rate.

“It’s primarily from the provincial assessors, so it would be designated industrial properties,” said Scott Pretty, director of assessment and taxation.

“Even more refined, it was most machinery and equipment from one of our major plants.”

The assessment revisions were made following the first reading. The total taxable assessment for 2025 is $5.055 billion, up 4.87 per cent over 2024.

At the time of the council meeting, a potential Canada Post strike was a worry about how residents would get their property tax notices.

“We’re working on a number of different things,” said Pretty. “I already have calls in with the provincial government asking what choices we have. We’ve been working the last couple of weeks with our communication team, putting messages in with utility billing and through emails hoping to get as many people signed up for electronic communications as possible.”

Property tax notices will be sent out to residents to be paid following council adopting the property tax mill rate bylaw.

Residents can also sign up online to receive electronic notices or pay their taxes at this link.

Two departments, two fires

Both the County of Vermilion River and Britannia Fire Department attended to fires over the past week.

At about 8 p.m. May 24, Blackfoot Fire Department was sent out to reports of a bail fire.

Upon arrival, over a dozen bails of hay were found to be burning.

With the help of the farmer, crews managed to break apart the bails and douse the fire after approximately four hours.

At about 7 p.m. May 26, a structure fire call near Hillmond was down -

graded to a grass fire. Britannia crews responded with Pumper 2 and later Pumper 1, using local water support. SaskPower attended due to trees on power lines. No injuries reported.

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Source File Photo

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Courtesy CVR

Land use bylaw primed for completion

address in the revisions.

Lloydminster council once again had the opportunity to review the land use bylaw following a public hearing.

The last public hearing, held April 28, featured members of the public packing city hall to discuss a variety of topics, including community support centres and allowed signage in the community.

Administration took the public’s feedback and began making changes to the draft land use bylaw. More clarity was added to the bylaw along with wording changes, grammatical revisions and new subsections and definitions.

Council’s discussion largely revolved around the placement and separation of community support centres.

“I look at this and I look at the map, and I fear we’re getting back into residential areas where they can put a community service major close or into a neighbourhood,” said Coun. David Lopez.

“I’m not OK with that as a councillor or as a resident. I fear we’re putting a service somewhere there’s families and we haven’t given a buffer or a breakpoint as to keeping neighbourhoods safe.

“I know I don’t want it in my backyard, and I literally don’t want it in my backyard even if it’s three metres apart.”

A contested point was the distance places of worship were given from community support centres.

“If places of worship get a 200metre buffer, shouldn’t residents get the same,” said Lopez. “If we’re giving it to places of worship, a resident is a tax-paying person that should have the same rights allotted to them.”

He expressed his concerns around the proposed legislation and wanting to be prepared.

“I’m not against support centres, I think if we’re building bigger and more we have to make sure we know what we’re doing,” said Lopez. “Again, once it’s there, it’s too late … and that’s my fear.”

Administration did identify a gap in the land use bylaw that they worked to

“The only thing that could not be done as an accessory use were the uses surrounding cannabis,” said Natasha Pidkowa, manager of planning with the City of Lloydminster. “So, that opened up anything to be classified as an accessory use.

“Administration felt that was a gap and we have since changed the regulations to say unless community support services is listed as a permitted use or discretionary use in the district, it cannot be classified as an accessory use.”

The public’s understanding of how systems work within city hall was also a point of chatter as councillors worried the public didn’t understand the process of getting buildings approved or appealed.

“We are revamping the entire planning webpage,” said Pidkowa. “There is a public-facing planning document intended to be released alongside the land use bylaw to help everybody understand every planning process from subdivision to discretionary use to permitted use.”

Coun. Michael Diachuk pointed out the issue would not be solved with a piece of legislation.

“I don’t want people to think that because we can legislate it and put it a certain distance away or put it even outside the community that this problem will be solved that we’re experiencing with the unhoused,” he said. “It’s a much, much bigger problem than just people hanging out in front of a building.”

Ultimately, safety remained at the forefront of why these topics were important to residents.

“I understand the issues. Coun. Lopez has talked about the safety components, and I’ve heard that of any of the issues that have arisen, it’s been that,” said Diachuk. “The problem is, we can’t solve all of that with the land use bylaw, it’s a much more complex issue. All we’re doing with this land use bylaw is trying to mitigate it as much as we can.”

Diachuk asked what tools they have if a building does get approved and what recourse they have to change the zoning of a building.

“To me, this is the importance of

the notice of decision and laying out all the conditions thereof approval,” said Pidkowa. “That notice of decision stays as long as the use is valid. If they’re ever in contravention of those conditions, we have ability to issue a notice of contravention a stop order and pursue further actions.

“As long as they’re abiding within the rules we’ve set out for them. It wouldn’t be within the development authority’s realm to withdraw their use approval.

Coun. Jason Whiting wanted to see the same buffer be given to both residential and places of worship. He also wanted to allow more conversation about a solution to the issue.

“I fear we’re spending a lot of time worrying about what ifs when we’re not moving towards allowing a conversation about a solution,” said Whiting.

Coun. Justin Vance chimed in explaining it isn’t just about what’s in the building that affects the area.

“It is also how the facility is ran and what kind of neighbours they are,” he said. “How a facility is ran and how it presents itself also makes a difference.”

Signs also became a topic of conversation as council didn’t want the wording to be too restrictive on what people can have.

The original intention was to deter

people from putting a sign in the back of a truck or on top of a trailer as a form of signage, something that was discussed at a previous council meeting.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers pointed out the document is a living document, meaning it will likely go through changes.

Administration went back and prepared new council motions with the amendments in mind.

Council accepted the land use bylaw as information and directed administration to incorporate the below changes:

1. Remove religious assemblies from the 200m radial separation distance from community support centre major and warming shelter that require a development permit; 2. Add a 50m radial separation distance from community support centre major and warming shelter that require a development permit to religious assemblies and all residential districts and neighbourhood commercial district, 3. Section 16.4.7 be amended to read “No sign shall be attached to or placed on a vehicle, trailer, or other similar implement with the intent of acting as a portable sign for temporary or permanent purposes. Vehicle decals and wraps are permitted.”

It will return June 9 to council

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Each month, the Source highlights one member of the community as a fun way to bring us all closer together!

This month we featured long time local business owner and city councillor, David Lopez !

If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be doing?

If I was to have a different career it would be as a commercial airline pilot.

It’s Sunday morning, what are you having for breakfast?

Pancakes and bacon with an espresso.

If you could see one concert, what would it be?

It would have to be Skillet in an outdoor arena.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

The ability to fly.

What was your childhood celebrity crush?

Demi Moore.

What is your favourite TV show?

Mad Men.

What’s your dream car?

Porsche 911 GT3.

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure?

I know this will be hard to believe but an Arbys beef ‘n cheddar with a curly fries poutine.

Last book you couldn’t put down?

Elon Musk By Walter Isaacson. Which person, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with?

Elon Musk. His energy and thought process is amazing and I would love to get some pointers from him.

What’s the one thing you

haven’t done that you’d love to do?

Go to an F1 race in Europe.

What’s the best thing about Lloydminster?

The community support. Lloydminster always steps up with volunteers to make sure any event is running is successful.

If we’re buying you’re having ....

Steak sandwich, medium rare, with stuffed potato- no mushrooms and a pint of Hazy IPA.

What’s your favourite vacation destination?

Rota, Spain. It’s located on the south shores of the Atlantic Ocean and has 14 miles of beach. The city isn’t very touristy, so you live like the locals do and just learn to enjoy life.

What’s your weirdest habit?

The dishwasher needs to be organized.

What’s currently playing in your car or on your smartphone right now?

Post Malone F-1 Trillion.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

People that want to complain about a situation but won’t do anything to find a solution and live in the negative.

What are your words to live by?

My father always told us if we’re not happy with what we’re doing for work to quit and do something you love because life’s too short to be miserable.

Who’s your hero?

Definitely my parents. They came to this country with $50 and the clothes on their backs and through hard work and determination they made a great life for us. They taught us that no matter what the struggle is that hard work will get you through it.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Off the top of my head I can’t think of one sorry.

Dying to read responses from your favourite community member? Send their name to taylor@meridiansource.ca

Was anyone else surprised David Lopez’s fast-food guilty pleasure had him thinking Arbys? Thanks for playing along, David! Source file photo

Lobsterfest success helps local charities

It was a shell of a good time as hundreds scuttled to the 45th annual Rotary Club of Lloydminster Lobsterfest.

The event served fresh lobster and steak for big appetites at the WLS Convention Centre.

Lobster arrived at the event less than 48 hours after leaving the sea, leaving Halifax at 2 a.m. the day before. Volunteers boiled them in large outdoor pots for 15 minutes each. The result was a feast that has guests coming back year after year.

“Lobsterfest 2025 was an amazing success. Ticket sales were up, people were excited and were there to have lots of fun,” said Rotary Club of Lloydminster president Tara Shirtliffe. “We don’t have our final numbers yet, but I think everyone there enjoyed the event and looks forward to next year.”

Lobsterfest is one of the club’s biggest fundraisers. Shirtliffe knows it helps people understand what the club does. The event supports local groups like the Men’s Shelter, Youth Centre, Interval Home, KidSport, the Lloydminster Sexual Assault Centre and more.

There was an auction for a nearly six-pound lobster. It featured Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers as the auctioneer. After much prodding, the lobster sold for $2,000.

Guests enjoyed steak and lobster dinners, 50/50 draws, live music from the band Five on the Side, raffles and a lively dance floor.

“It’s a great way to bring people together and help the community,” said one volunteer helping at the event.

Tickets were $100 each and $800 for a table of eight. Every seat sold helps fund local needs.

Organizers partnered with local sponsors to make sure everything ran smoothly, from the cooking setup to the entertainment.

After 45 years, Lobsterfest remains a Lloydminster favourite. “We’re already looking forward to next year,” said Shirtliffe.

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Viewpoint

Source picks up AWNA hardware

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Another banner year has come and gone for newspaper awards.

After winning a slew of awards for Meridian Source staffers across multiple departments in the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association awards, we’re pleased to report we’ve also been successful in the Alberta competition.

Results from the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association awards were released last week.

In the General Excellence Awards, the Source got first place for Best Overall Score with 761 of 1,000 points ahead of the Okotoks Western Wheel and the St. Albert Gazette. The Source also got second for Best Front Page, third for Best Sports Page/Section and first for Best Editorial Page.

Graphic designer Yujin Chae got an honourable mention for Best InHouse Ad.

Taylor Weaver won first place for Sports Writing for his story “Rustlers win national gold at home,” as well as second place in the feature photo category.

Thursday, May 29, 2025 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Chris’ A-Z: Arena excitement is palpable

Well, it’s official, I’ve been inside the Cenovus Energy Hub.

I really did feel like a kid in a candy store during T uesday morning’s media tour.

Let me try to paint you a picture as best as my memory will serve.

Off the road, we walked in to a very open room. Staircases led upstairs, which would take you to the main arena and community rink.

On the left was the eventual ticket booth and on the far right of the room a view of the community rink. The main area offered a more open concept, which made it feel huge.

Th e second floor had a good view of the two rinks, along with a hallway connecting them.

The con cession seemed large and nicely accessible from both sides.

The community r ink was quite large and offered plenty of seating for whatever event was going on.

The main rink, w ell, it was stunning. It was far

bigger than I had imagined it would be with plenty of seating.

It offered that “new rink smell” that can only be captur ed once in a lifetime.

Scoreboards will be placed at either end of the ice and one in the middle. The middle one was described as a “clock,” which made me imagine a jumbotron.

Washrooms were everywhere, which was nice, as I always felt the Civic lacked appropriate facilities.

Head ing up to the third floor, the tour took us to all the corporate booths and the media booth.

Corporate suites made it feel like a big-city arena. Big space for tables, maybe a TV and some seating overlooking the rink.

The p ress box had a good view of the main rink and was spacious enough to accommodate multiple forms of media.

The Hub, in g eneral, already seemed brighter than the Civic. Most importantly, the ceiling wasn’t as low.

City staff that led our tour explained they themse lves toured other arenas prior to building the hub, and it shows. Even unfinished, it feels like a

Gray Matters: Losing our connection

Ironically, the closure of a local TV news station is news itself, but only once, and then it’s forgotten. What’s harder to see is the loss of our stories reaching beyond Lloydminster. Being affiliated with national networks, the station dispatched local reporters to cover major events, providing our community with visibility across the provinces and the nation.

That reach is now gone.

Yes, for something significant, like September’s tragic triple-homicide, a crew might still come from out of town. However, without a local affiliate feeding those stories up the chain, it’s less likely.

Before, local milestones like the opening of the Cenovus Energy Hub or the closing of the Centennial Civic Centre were guaranteed TV coverage. The footage might have aired in Edmonton or

Saskatoon, accompanied by a brief voiceover. Now? Don’t hold your breath.

The bi-provincial black hole I’ve written about, between Vegreville and Maidstone, just got darker. That visual connection to the rest of the province is severed. The short, powerful TV packages that once brought local news to life are no longer. Photos and written stories can’t replace the power of a visual news package. That nightly presence built a bridge between Lloydminster and the rest of the world.

modern facility with a big future ahead of it. I can’ t wait to be shoulder-to-shoulder with the public on opening day and for everyone to experience that new arena feeling.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Passport to YLL

To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147

Cards, games, food, meetings, live music

Intro to Square Dancing

Modern square dancing lessons are being offered every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 5115 - 49 Ave. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable. First evening is FREE. For more info, contact 780-872-2493 or visit SquareDanceLloydArea.com.

Bingo at the Moose Lodge Bingo will be held every Monday and Wednesday, except holidays, at Moose Lodge 5213 57 St., Lloydminster. Doors open at 5 p.m. with games starting at 7 p.m. Must be at least 18 to play.

Legacy Centre Par 3 Tourney

The Legacy Centre is still looking for golfers for its 4th annual Par 3 gold tournament at Rolling Green Fairways on June 11. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.

Lunch and Learn: Unmasking Fraud: Strategies for Detection and Prevention

A lunch and learn event on fraud detection and prevention is being held at StartUp Lloydminster, 4010 50 Ave. on June 11 from noon to 1 p.m. The event is free and lunch is available for $10. Don’t be a pawn in their plan.

Paradise Hill Summer Bash featuring Jade Eagleson

The Paradise Hill Summer Bash returns to the Paradise Hill Arena on Aug. 9 from 5-11 p.m. Supper is from 5-7 p.m. at the Paradise Hill Community Centre before the arena opens at 7 p.m. Drew Gregory plays at 8:15 p.m. and Jade Eagleson plays at 9:10 p.m. Tickets are $75.88 or $27.96 for supper only. Tickets at Eventbrite.ca - Have something you’d like listed in our calendar? Email it to taylor@meridiansource.c a

Integra Engineering breakfast supports MS

We joke “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Sadly, Lloydminster now has the same tagline, however, not by choice.

Local media will continue to report essential stories that extend beyond our borders. Support the outlets that remain. We care deeply about this community, and it’s a privilege to report its highs and lows. We’ll continue to build the connections that recent TV station closures have cut off.

GRAY MATTERS FROM PAGE 11

Integra Engineering Ltd. held its 13th annual pancake breakfast fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis in their parking lot on May 28. Day Gray Meridian Source

13 Thursday, May 29, 2025

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Team Torrent pair to represent Canada at world event

Two Torrent Tae Kwon Do athletes are still kicking back to reality after making Team Canada for the upcoming world championships in Croatia.

Lucas Feeley, 20, and Reeve Hunt, 15, will represent the red and white from Oct. 7 to 11 at the ITF TaekwonDo World Championships in Poreč, Croatia.

“This is the cream of the crop, the highest level of competition that we have in our International Taekwon-Do Federation version of Taekwondo,” said Feeley, explaining the pair made Team Canada selection two weeks ago after the 2025 CTFI National Taekwon-Do Championships in Lévis, Que.

“Croatia is a world championship and we had to be selected for the team.”

Feeley, who’s felt the excitement of international competition and became a World Cup Taekwon-Do champion in Argentina last December, will compete in sparring and specialty breaking.

Hunt, however, who will be compe ting in sparring, has yet to experience his first international competition.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a few years after seeing Lucas go for the first time and wanted to do it myself.

“I never imagined it would actually happen, but I’ve been training hard for the past two years. Work hard and your goals become reality.”

Hunt, who’s fairly young for his level of martial arts, explained he’s looking forward to leaving the country for the

first time, competing against people from other countries, seeing Croatia and meeting new people.

Feeley explained he’s also looking forward to seeing the level of competition in October after multiple international competitions.

“I was 18 for my first international competition and the experience changed the course of my life,” said Feeley, noting he brought his international experiences back to his home club.

“For Reeve, being able to do that at 15, it’s really going to open his eyes to what’s possible in the world of Taekwondo. He’ll bring back everything he learned and share that knowledge with the rest of the club and help others level up their competition.”

Feeley also noted Team Canada is bringing 50 competitors to Croatia in October. A meaningful statistic, considering two of 50 are from one club owned and operated by the Feeley family.

“It’s very exciting, but now it’s time to hunker down and make sure we’re not missing training and recovery,” he said.

“Anyone from the entire country could get on the team, and I got one of the spots. Having two of us from the same town and club is pretty special,” added Hunt.

Feeley also left Hunt with some advice leading up to the competition.

“Be willing to try new training methods and open to new things,” he said. “Whether it’s flexibility, training outside the dojang, or weight lifting, different aspects of training will give you a leg up on the competition.”

Lucas Feeley (left) and Reeve Hunt will be competing for a world-championship medal as members of Team Canada in Croatia in October. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Lucas Feeley and Reeve Hunt (back right) pose with instructor Chris Feeley (back centre) and the members of team TKD who medalled at the 2025 CTFI National Taekwon-Do Championships in Lévis, Que., May 17 and 18. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Pro prospect’s junior rights traded

WHL veteran Mazden Leslie, a pro prospect and an NCAA commit from Lloydminster, has one more intriguing option for the coming hockey season.

The 20-year-old defenceman has been traded to the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, who host the 2026 Memorial Cup championship next spring.

Leslie has played five seasons with the Vancouver Giants, who received two conditional draft selections — a first-round pick in 2028 and a third-round choice in 2026 — in the May 21 deal that sent their captain to Kelowna.

Leslie, who just turned 20 in April, still has one more year of major-junior eligibility. But he has indicated his preference is to take the next step in his hockey career, whether that’s at the pro or collegiate levels. Already committed to play NCAA Division 1 at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, he’s also a prospect for the NHL draft in late June. He was listed 133rd among draft-eligible North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings.

Although he knew the trade to Kelowna was likely coming, Leslie is still not sure about his definitive plans for next season. And that’s not necessarily a bad position to be in, he says.

“I think it’s all good,” Leslie told the Meridian Source on May 23. “You have a lot of options, so I think that’s the main thing, to just have more options than not.

“I guess you just want to sign an NHL contract, and that would be the goal no matter where you were.”

Regardless of whether he’s drafted, Leslie likes

Lloydminster defenceman Mazden Leslie, the captain of the Vancouver Giants this past season, has been traded to the Kelowna Rockets, the host of the 2026 Memorial Cup. Submitted photo: Rob Wilton Vancouver Giants

his chances of getting an invite to an NHL team’s development camp. Most of those camps usually happen soon after the draft, which this year is set for June 27 and 28 in Los Angeles.

“Yeah, for sure, I think a camp would (still) be a good possibility, if not drafted,” Leslie said.

“Being one of the older players left eligible for the draft, you just don’t worry too much about it. Because if it doesn’t happen, you’ll get chances as a free agent, just go to camps and stuff like that. I think that’s the main thing. It doesn’t really worry me too much, with getting picked or not, because you’ll get your

Northwest Community Safety Services Inc.

Northwest Community Safety Services Inc. is in west-central Saskatchewan. Northwest Community Safety Services Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation, wholly owned by the R.M. of North Battleford No. 437, the R.M. of Spiritwood No. 496, the R.M. of Meota No. 468, the R.M. of Mervin No. 499, and the Resort Village of Cochin. We serve approximately 5,000 ratepayers within our communities.

Northwest Community Safety Services Inc. is looking for talented and skilled individuals to join our dynamic team.

We offer a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and healthy work environment that offers flexible work arrangement to ensure work-life balance. If you value teamwork, challenging assignments, and are innovative, collaborative, and value high quality service to residents, we want to hear from you!

Administrative Support (20 hours per week) Permanent Part-Time based out of the RM of Mervin No. 499 Protective Services

As Administrative Support, you will work collaboratively with Northwest Community Safety Services Inc., which consists of a 10-Member Board of Directors, Chief of Police, Community Safety Officer Sergeant, and Community Safety Officers.

Reporting to the Community Safety Officer Sergeant the Administrative Support is responsible for but not limited to: managing agendas, scheduling, and organizing travel, meetings/teleconferences; preparing and collating meeting file folders and background information materials; procuring office equipment and supplies; implementing and maintaining a filing system; processing and preparing correspondence; receiving calls and welcoming visitors; policy creation and implementation; billing of service agreements; payroll; banking; email monitoring; and any other related duties as assigned by the Community Safety Officer Sergeant

Qualifications

Valid Class 5 License with a clean driver abstract.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check that is acceptable. Bondable.

Grade 12 High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Certification in administration would be considered an asset.

Proficient computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft 365.

Experience with accounting software (QuickBooks, SAGE).

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Technological Proficiency – software knowledge, data entry and management, automation tools.

Financial Administration – budgeting, invoice and payment processing.

Attention to Detail – accuracy, compliance.

Teamwork and Collaboration – supportive role, collaboration, interpersonal skills.

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Legal and Regulatory Knowledge – compliance awareness.

Rate of Pay: $26.75 Start Rate. Progressive Steps based on Service to a maximum of $34.75. Comprehensive Pension and Group Benefits.

Hours of Work: 20 Hours

opportunity at some point.”

After he was passed over in the previous two NHL drafts, Leslie received invitations to multiple camps with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights, respectively.

The six-foot-one, 200-pound Leslie scored a whopping 72 points, including 21 goals, in 66 games with the Giants this past season. He has played his entire WHL career with Vancouver, which was permitted to play him as a 15-year-old during the COVID-19 bubble-format schedule in the shortened 2020-21 season.

“They drafted me when I was really young and I was able to stay there for five years,” said Leslie, whom the Giants chose 10th overall. “That obviously helped me a lot. I think we had some good teams. We didn’t get to where we wanted to in (terms of) winning a championship, but we did some good stuff in the right direction for the organization.”

Over those five seasons, he collected 190 points in 280 regular-season games and eight points in 21 playoff games. Two months ago, the Giants lost to the Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the WHL playoffs. Even before then, Leslie had decided he would not likely return to Vancouver next fall, especially because major-junior players now are permitted to play NCAA hockey.

“(The possibilities became greater) once the NCAA thing opened up and I was able to commit somewhere, because not many guys are in the league at 15 and able to play in the bubble like I was,” he said.

“I played pretty much what a normal person would, if there was no bubble, playing five years.

Northwest Community Safety Services Inc.

Northwest Community Safety Services Inc. is looking for talented and skilled individuals to join our dynamic team. We offer a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and healthy work environment that offers flexible work arrangement to ensure work-life balance. If you value teamwork, challenging assignments, and are innovative, collaborative, and value high quality service to residents, we want to hear from you!

Administrative Support (20 hours per week) Permanent Part-Time based out of the RM of Mervin No. 499 Protective Services

Reporting to the Community Safety Officer Sergeant, the Administrative Support is responsible for but not limited to: managing agendas, scheduling, and organizing travel, meetings/teleconferences; preparing and collating meeting file folders and background information materials; procuring office equipment and supplies; implementing and maintaining a filing system; processing and preparing correspondence; receiving calls and welcoming visitors; policy creation and implementation; billing of service agreements; payroll; banking; email monitoring; and any other related duties as assigned by the Community Safety Officer Sergeant

Qualifications

Valid Class 5 License with a clean driver abstract.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check that is acceptable.

Bondable.

Grade 12 High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Certification in administration would be considered an asset.

Proficient computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft 365.

Experience with accounting software (QuickBooks, SAGE).

Experience providing administrative support to management.

Experience drafting, editing, formatting, and/or revising correspondence and reports.

Experience implementing and maintaining records management services such as indexing, cross referencing, filing, retrieving, retention, archiving, and/or destroying data.

Experience providing financial support services (i.e. accounts receivable, accounts payable, controlling

petty cash and purchase orders, preparing monthly financial reports, year end audit, budget).

Experience interpreting information to respond to stakeholder inquiries.

Competencies

Organization and Time Management – task prioritization, scheduling, planning and coordination.

Communication Skills - verbal and written communication, listening, customer service.

Problem-solving and Decision-Making – critical thinking, adaptability, conflict resolution.

Technological Proficiency – software knowledge, data entry and management, automation tools.

Financial Administration – budgeting, invoice and payment processing.

Attention to Detail – accuracy, compliance.

Teamwork and Collaboration – supportive role, collaboration, interpersonal skills.

Confidentiality and Discretion – privacy protection, ethical standards.

and

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

NHL training camp likely for Leslie — again

LESLIE FROM PAGE 14

“So, I kind of was hoping to move on to pro hockey, or NCAA, whatever that may be. I think that was always the thought, is trying to play pro hockey next year.”

As next season transpires, he plans to monitor whether a return to junior would become a better route. With the Rockets hosting the fourteam Canadian Hockey League championship next spring, playing in Kelowna is that much more of an attraction.

“Yeah, obviously, the option of that is definitely good to have,” he said. “If you do sign a (pro) contract, it’s a good option to maybe come back to if you’re not ready for pro hockey. So, I think the Memorial Cup (host) team having your (junior) rights is definitely a good thing.”

Leslie spoke with Rockets management after the trade and outlined his immediate intentions.

“They reached out and told me about the trade and that they’d wait to see what happens with the draft, and all that kind of stuff, to see what’s happening next,” he said.

Up next for Leslie is more off-season training. He works out and skates daily in Wainwright with an elite group of players that includes NHL defenceman Carson Soucy and AHL forward Jagger Firkus, both of Irma. Leslie and Firkus have built a close friendship that goes all the way back to their minor hockey days in Lloydminster. A year ago, Firkus helped the Moose Jaw Warriors win the WHL championship.

Another notable training with Leslie and company is Cole Reschny, the Victoria Royals’ forward from Macklin who’s a projected first-round choice for this year’s NHL draft.

HOCKEY FAMILY

Leslie is used to rubbing shoulders with hockey buddies year-round. His two brothers have also played elite hockey. Jantzen, now a 26-yearold accountant, is a former WHL defenceman who went on to play college hockey in Red Deer. Jayven, a forward who turns 22 in June, is the top scorer with the ACAC’s Augustana Vikings. He graduated from the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats in 2023.

Mazden is the youngest of four siblings, including 24-year-old sister Mackenna, a chiropractic student bound for Portland, Ore., collegiate studies.

Mazden shares the academic smarts of his siblings. Among his multiple awards with the Giants, he was named the team’s high school scholastic player of the year in the 2021-22 season, complementing top-defenceman and mostimproved-player honours in other years.

In committing to Bowling Green, Mazden Leslie is on a scholarly path that he can trace to his major-junior roots. Dennis Williams, former coach of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, now coaches at Bowling Green, and the new NCAA rules have enabled him to recruit widely from the three leagues that make up the umbrella Canadian Hockey League (CHL).

“He used to coach in the WHL, so I knew him quite a bit,” Leslie said. “Their coach being from the CHL two years ago, it definitely helps. A lot of the guys from the WHL and other CHL leagues, too, see a guy that was already coaching in the CHL and knows where you came from and is there to help you out.

“I just thought (Bowling Green) was obviously a good place. They have a lot of CHL guys coming in, so it’ll be a really good team.”

At least 10 major-junior players are among the Falcons’ commits, including one of Leslie’s Vancouver teammates, graduating forward Connor Levis.

Wherever he plays next season, Leslie will be counted on to continue to provide size, skill and leadership.

“If it’s pro hockey, or NCAA, or whatever it may be, you have an offensive defenceman, like you

said, who can do a bit of everything, or at least try to,” he said with a chuckle.

“Try to be (effective) on both sides of the puck and be a factor. You want to be a factor in every game you play in.”

Mazden Leslie, a defenceman from Lloydminster and a prospect for this year’s NHL draft, scored 21 goals and 72 points in 66 WHL games last season with the Vancouver Giants. Submitted photo: Rob Wilton Vancouver Giants

Bobcats welcome ‘exciting player’

chose Lloyd.”

One of the new players in the Lloydminster Bobcats’ mix brings Border City heritage — along with elite talent — to the Alberta Junior Hockey League team.

Ty Hynes, a 17-year-old forward from the South Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) U18 prep program, signed with the junior A Bobcats after attending their spring prospects camp in April. He’s planning to be back in town for development camp on the June 6-8 weekend.

The Medicine Hat-born Hynes already has strong familiarity with Lloyd.

“His mother actually grew up here in Lloydminster,” said Bobcats general manager Nigel Dube. “So, it was a bit of a homecoming for him in a sense, signing where his mom grew up, and having the ability to play hockey here as well.”

Hynes spoke with Bobcats management for about three weeks before the spring camp, after which he was keen to sign with the AJHL team.

“We had talked a bit before, and I was pretty excited about it,” he said from his home in Dunmore, just outside of Medicine Hat.

“I’ve got family in Lloyd. My whole mom’s side is there.”

His mother Corrina’s maiden name is Whitlaw. Her parents, brother, niece and nephew live in the Lloyd area. Their presence made it that much more of an easier decision for Hynes to sign with the Bobcats.

“I think I definitely looked into it a little bit more, seeing as my mom was from there,” said Hynes, a Grade 11 student at Eagle Butte High School in Dunmore.

“I was just really attracted by how the Bobcats talked to me, and they had lots of interest, and I felt it was a really good spot to continue my hockey career. That’s kind of why I

As he adapts to living far from home, he welcomes the opportunity to visit with his grandparents and other family members on occasion.

“I think they’ll provide a lot of support, for sure, and help me out throughout my little journey there,” Hynes said. “I’ll billet somewhere in the city, because my family lives a little bit outside the city, but I’ll definitely go see them and have suppers with them and things like that.”

Hynes still has a year of U18 eligibility, but he and the Bobcats believe he’s ready for junior hockey now.

HITMEN PROSPECT, TOO

The WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, who listed Hynes two seasons ago, are also bullish about his prospects of playing major junior with them as early as the coming season.

He might even skate with both junior teams — the Bobcats and Hitmen — during the 2025-26 campaign.

“He comes to us with high-end skill,” Dube said of Hynes, who scored 13 goals and 34 points in 36 games with his South Alberta prep team last winter.

“He’s protected by the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League. Just with the change in the landscape there, he’s a higher-profile player that we’re going to work with Calgary and develop him here. He could see time between both clubs next year, just with the changes that have gone on with the overall hockey scene now.”

Hynes is well-schooled at the prep level. After one season at Edge School in Calgary, he’s played two years at SAHA, the same school that was Medicine Hat Tigers wunderkind Gavin McKenna’s steppingstone into the WHL. Hynes’ ties to SAHA go back five seasons, including his three years in the Irvine High Performance Academy.

South Alberta Hockey Academy forward Ty Hynes. Submitted photo

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

Hynes coming to Bobcats’ development camp

“His stick is the big thing,” Dube said in detailing Hynes’ skills. “His ability to shoot pucks, get shots off, create offence in tight spaces. He brings a dynamic — excitement to our forward group and offensive group.

“He’ll have to work on rounding out that 200foot game, but we had him here at spring camp and (saw that he’s) just a super, exciting hockey player. He’s one of those that the fans come up and say, ‘Who’s that kid? I hope he’s a Bobcat.’ ”

It’s no wonder both the Bobcats and Hitmen are closely watching the progression of Hynes, who’s about six feet and 180 pounds.

“He’ll have a good opportunity (in Calgary),” said Hitmen director of scouting Gary Michalick. “We have some openings at forward and Ty is certainly one of the guys who would be in the running for one of those spots.

“He had a really good year at SAHA. He was their second-leading scorer. He plays the game the right way and has some hockey sense and skill. We’re excited to see, after his year, where he is (in terms of development).”

The Hitmen listed Hynes early in 2024.

“I went to their main camp last year and then ended up spending an extra week with them as well to practise,” he said. “We kept in touch a little bit over the this (past) year.

“I’ll definitely try and make it in Calgary, but I’m also really excited about being in Lloyd, with all the community stuff that they do and all that kind of stuff. So, either place, I’m pretty excited to be.”

One of Hynes’ SAHA teammates was goaltender Kannen Kirkwood, brother of recent Bobcats netminder Kaiden Kirkwood, who’s set to begin his freshman season with the Dalhousie Tigers of the Atlantic University Sport conference.

The 2007-born Kannen Kirkwood and two of Hynes’ other SAHA teammates, 2008-born forwards Kingston Chisholm and Garrison Peck, are also coming to Lloydminster for the June development camp.

“Which is pretty exciting,” Hynes said of his buddies auditioning for the Bobcats. “Hopefully, we’ll see them do well, as well.”

Chisholm and Peck also joined Hynes in Lloyd for the April camp.

Hynes’ cousin Sammy Hynes, a forward who turns 19 in November, has played the past two years with the Cranbrook Bucks of the BCHL. He’s also a SAHA graduate.

McKenna and five other SAHA alumni are part of the Medicine Hat team that won the WHL title and now is participating in the Memorial Cup national championship at Rimouski, Que.

SAHA senior advisor Willie Desjardins is the longtime coach and general manager of the Tigers’ major junior franchise.

HABS FAN

Hynes, a product of Desjardins’ academy programs, is a big fan of the Montreal Canadiens, just like his father Darryl.

“A hockey role model, for sure,” Hynes said of his dad. “He’s helped me a lot throughout my whole career and I

Lloydminster Bobcats’ newcomer Ty Hynes, with his parents Darryl and Corrina, is coming to his mother’s hometown to play junior A hockey with the AJHL’s Bobcats. The 17-year-old forward is from Medicine Hat, where he has played at South Alberta Hockey Academy. Submitted photo

wouldn’t be where I am without him.

“NHL-wise, I’d say Sebastian Aho (of the Carolina Hurricanes) is probably one of my favourite players to watch, and the up-and-coming Ivan Demidov (of the Montreal Canadiens), I like to watch him as well.

“We actually have a (Demidov) jersey hanging down in the basement for when we watch the games.”

The Hynes family will likely soon add a junior jersey or two to their collection of hockey sweaters. Whatever jerseys he pulls on next season, Hynes is prepared to dress to impress.

“I think I bring some skill and some poise with the puck, high hockey IQ to make plays,” he said. “I love being with the guys in the dressing room and having fun with the guys.

I just love being a part of a team.”

A central part of his hockey routine in the morning is a protein shake and one of his father’s special omelettes.

Ten members of Hynes’ SAHA U18 prep team were affiliated with WHL teams during this past season. One of them, 16-year-old defenceman Riley Scott, is now with Medicine Hat at the Memorial Cup.

Hillis roars into bull-riding nationals

‘I just kind of took it like another rodeo’

Colt Hillis, a senior bull-rider from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School, had a successful ride at provincials last weekend in Maple Creek, Sask., to qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo this July in Rock Springs, Wy. Submitted photos

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

Lloydminster Comprehensive cowboy Colt Hillis changed his get-up at the most opportune time last weekend as the 18-year-old bull-rider qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo this July in Rock Springs, Wy.

“I got a new bull rope and just took it from there,” said Hillis, who won the opening round Friday at

the Saskatchewan high school rodeo finals in Maple Creek and ultimately punched his ticket to the prestigious U.S. nationals.

“That was the first time I ever used it. I just hoped it would be good. It felt real good.”

Hillis scored an 83 as he rode Ferdinand to victory and went on to clinch Saskatchewan’s fourth and final bull-riding berth for the July 13-19 nationals in Wyoming, the same state where Hillis begins his collegiate career this September.

“I just kind of took it like another rodeo and didn’t do anything special,” said Hillis, who lives near Hillmond. “Just took it as another bull.”

The Lloyd Comp senior is bound for Cheyenne, Wy., to join his brother Gage, also a bull-rider, with

Laramie County Community College’s rodeo team in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Just a couple of years ago, Colt went to the U.S. and watched Gage compete in the high school nationals. Now, he’s part of the spectacle himself, about a four-hour drive from where he’ll attend college.

“It’s just one big rodeo in Rock Springs, Wy.,” he said. “People from schools all around the world will be there, so it’s going to be cool. There’ll be a lot of people there.”

CLASSMATE ON BOARD

Hillis is going to have some company from home in Lloyd Comp classmate Cole Irwin, who qualified for the national finals in team roping and tie-down roping.

“It’s his first time qualifying, too, so it’ll be neat, especially because we’re pretty good friends and are in the same classes at school,” Hillis said. “It’ll be pretty cool down there.”

Down in Maple Creek last weekend, Hillis had a fan club that included his parents and sister. They made the trip on Thursday and he was primed the next day for one of Cody Strandquist’s bucking bulls out of Kyle, Sask.

“His name was Ferdinand,” Hillis said. “He turned back, right into my hand, and then I just kicked loose a little bit.

“It was definitely good. I was in a little bit of a slump before then, so it felt good to get one rode.

“For provincials, they definitely brought better bulls than we’re dealing with all year, especially on Sunday.”

Hillis got bucked off in each of the next two rounds, but his strong start enabled him to qualify for nationals and earn a $200 scholarship and a shiny new buckle.

“The top guys would have won about $1,000 for scholarships in each event,” he said.

In the short-go, just two of the top 10 bull-riders managed to ride.

“It was anyone’s game coming into the short-go on Sunday,” said Hillis, who sat third in the provincial standings going into the finals. “Anyone could have made it, but it played out right, I guess.”

The other bull-riders qualifying from Saskatchewan were Kahl Wasilow of Maple Creek, Jaeger Moore of Spiritwood and Chase Skene from Prince Albert.

It’s an exciting time for Hillis as he finishes high school, prepares for college and competes in rodeos this spring and summer.

Rodeo fatigue and school demands all come at once, but he’s enjoying the ride.

“I’ve been pretty good (injury-wise),” Hillis said. “I’ve been sore a couple of days, but nothing major.”

Just a few knicks and bruises from being thrown to the dirt.

“Yeah, exactly, and getting stepped on a couple of times,” he said.

SEMI-PRO EVENTS

In the next few months, Hillis steps up to semipro bull-riding. He’s entered in Bull Riders Canada (BRC) events, including Bezanson, Alta., this weekend near Grande Prairie and the $10,000 Mayhem in Meadow on June 5 in Meadow Lake. After that, his spring schedule takes him to Manitoba for a couple of more BRC competitions.

Hillis’ pro schedule might also impact whether he participates in the Canadian high school finals, which run July 31 through Aug. 2 in Brandon, Man.

“I’m not sure if I’ll go to that one,” he said. “There’s a couple of BRCs that weekend, so I might try to hit those instead.”

PAGE 19

Thursday, May 29, 2025

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