It’s been 14 years since Williams Lake hockey fans have been able to cheer for a Junior A team. The wait is nearly over. The Mustangs will make their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League debut on Friday when they take on the Quesnel River Rush in exhibition action. Their first regular season game will be Sept. 20 when they host the Sicamous Eagles. Head coach-general manager Tyrel Lucas gives insight on the Mustangs for their Quick Shift team preview.
KIJHL: What should Williams Lake Mustangs fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
TL: I think they’re just really excited about being able to watch a junior hockey team and games back in our community. It provides that experience from the kids to the adults. It’s that small town junior hockey environment is what most seem excited about.
KIJHL: How many local players will be on the team?
TL: We could have four to five players. For the first year we’re super excited that we do have that many. I think what’s so exciting is to see the years coming up, the talent level of 15- and 16-year-old players in our area. That number is only going to grow from there.
KIJHL: What were areas you identified that you wanted to build around the returning players to strengthen the roster?
TL: I think we had a great start for all positions. We have very strong goaltending in Jasper Tait and Zackary Garnett (1-1-0 in 3GP/ .816 save rate). Tait played a ton of games last year (31 GP – winning 8 with a .912 save rate), and watching a lot of game tape on him, he definitely played a huge role last year, in the locker room and on the ice. He’s a very good goaltender. We have a couple of defencemen that are returning. We still have some decisions to make here after pre-season. I’m super excited with the core guys we have. Up front, the returning players we have, make our team very deep.
Up front we have Joseph Krukowski, Tanner Sunderman, Dawson Thomas, Ethan Wencek and Levi Pratt.
Krukowski (14 goals 22 points in 36 GP) can fly as he’s able to create separation with his first three steps. He’s a good puck protector, very dynamic and wants to create offence.
Sunderman (13 points in 44 GP as a 16-year-old) I’m really hoping he can bring his skill set up a notch and contribute more offensively. He’s got all the tools – a fast skater with good hands.
Thomas is a great skater with all the tools, he wants to win and leads by example.
Wencek prides himself on playing a 200-foot game. He has good vision, makes simple plays and is strong in the defensive zone and penalty-kill.
Pratt has good speed, plays with energy, has a high work ethic and is a good leader in the room.
Ryerse is a power-forward, who goes to the dirty areas and plays the right way. He had some of the best fitness testing scores.
Aden Miller is a big, hard working, physical defenceman with a good shot.
Rory Mumford is a big mobile defenceman, who has a good first pass. He worked hard over the summer, and showed up to camp ready to make a difference.
Kaden Ernst (20 PTS in 44 GP with 100 Mile House) has played 113 regular season and playoff games combined. He’s a defenceman with a lot of experience and leadership. He can do anything you ask and play the power-play or shut down a team in the last minute when you have the lead.
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who will be ready to make an instant impact?
TL: Declan Pocock (2006 – U18 Edmonton HC – 28 PTS in 33 GP) He’s a very offensive, modern defenceman, who is very mobile with good hands, shot, and vision.
Dawson Ernst (2007 – Northstars Hockey Academy – 43 PTS in 33 GP) He’s a bigger body (6-0,225 pounds) with good hands, a really good shot and offensive upside with a physical presence.
Kaelen Swanson (2008 – Northstars Hockey Academy – led division with 39 goals and 37 assists for 76 points in 33 GP) He is just a pure goal scorer and can score from anywhere – he is a shark.
Asher Lucas (2008 – Northstars Hockey Academy – 35-48-83) He was a Seattle Thunderbirds draft pick (11th round, 241st in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft). He is very offensive, a good skater with solid hands and shot.
Noah Pears (2006 – Cariboo Cougars U18AAA) He has good hands, likes winning battles, and slipping slick passes. He will make an impact offensively.
Garrett Feeney (2006 – Cariboo Cougars U18AAA – 18 PTS in 36 GP) He’s very solid defensively and strong, but also has an offensive upside. I’m super excited to have him on the team and to work with him.
KIJHL: You’ve added Jacob Schtaif, Tyler Schmidt, Carter Boomer through trades, what do you like about each that they will bring?
TL: Carter Boomer is a local who played in 100 Mile House last year. I’ve coached Carter since he was young and he has a high skill set.
Schtaif, 20, was the captain of Kelowna last year. We’re getting a ton of leadership with a guy like that. He will bring energy to the team, is very strong, physical and is great on faceoffs.
Schmidt is a smaller guy, but very strong with an offensive upside, good hands, and solid in the defensive zone. Under pressure he doesn’t seem to panic with the puck and is able to get away from checks.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
TL: I want them to have a team-first mentality. You don’t have to be rah-rah, but good humans. It’s getting everyone to buy in, and if somebody is not, they are able to hold them accountable and set a good example for the younger guys. Show them what junior hockey is about. The message that the coaching staff is delivering, it’s being echoed through your leadership group.
The group hasn’t been formed and we are going to let it play out for the next couple weeks before we announce.
