Goalie Ryley Budd is staying in the WHL.
The Pontiacs goaltender was called up to the Saskatoon Blades multiple times this season and was set to return to the Pontiacs after the holiday break. But the plan has since changed, he is now expected to stay with the Blades for the remainder of the year.
Budd has been part of a split Bonnyville crease with fellow 2008-born netminder Nathan Salisbury. He posted a record of 3-4-1, with 3.81 goals against average and .890 save percentage.
He’s been victorious in both his starts with the Blades, with a 2.00GAA and .909sv%.
“We’re happy for Ryley to get this opportunity to take that next step. We hope that some of his time here in Bonnyville has helped him be prepared for that next step at the Western Hockey League level. Certainly we’re happy for him overall as an organization,” head coach Chad Mercier said.
The Pontiacs have been fuelling lineups with their superior development this season. AJHL leading rookie scorer Gavin Harrison received an opportunity with Swift Current earlier in the year, and December’s AJHL Rookie of the Month Liam Reed also played three games with the Portland Winterhawks.
Both are 2009-born hockey talents.
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Nathan Salisbury has been the Pontiacs’ safety valve with Budd’s status uncertain. Salisbury leads the AJHL in wins with 13 and minutes with 1,240 – all while being a 17-year-old rookie.
After being released from Red Deer Rebels camp, he wasn’t sure whether he’d go to Junior A or back to U18. Needless to say, he’s found a home in Bonnyville.
“Things happened pretty fast for the young man, and he’s handled it tremendously”, said coach Mercier. “Nathan has been counted on, right from the get-go for us, and he has done a great job.
“The first half of the season has prepared him to face the challenges that we’re going to have going in the second half. He’s got the demeanor to handle it.
“There’s not a lot that gets to him. He’s a very calm, collected young man, and we certainly have a lot of confidence in his capabilities.”
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Budd suffered an upper-body injury that forced him to miss a month of action throughout October and early November. His game greatly improved afterwards, posting multiple first star performances in the Nov. 14-15 weekend against Lloydminster and Grande Prairie.
When first called up for a start against Swift Current on Nov. 21, Budd made 13 saves for the victory. He was tested on 29 shots on Dec. 13 vs Moose Jaw, making 27 saves.
“It’s nice to have that experience, but I want to take it one save at a time,” Budd told reporters after his first WHL win.
Previously drafted in the 2nd round by Saskatoon in the WHL Prospects Draft in 2023, Budd earned several accolades in the 2023-24 with Edge School of the CSSHL including winning a league championship.
He was named as a 1st-team All-Star, as well as Top Goaltender, posting the best GAA (1.76) and sv% (.936).
Budd affiliated with the Pontiacs twice in 2024-25, starting two games.
Bonnyville returns to action with a pair of home games this weekend, welcoming the Grande Prairie Storm on Friday and Whitecourt Wolverines on Saturday.
