The Bonnyville Pontiacs have acquired League and National Champion Tyler Blocha from the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Born in raised in Bonnyville, Blocha comes in on the heels of winning the AJHL Interpipeline Cup and Centennial Cup with the Brooks Bandits last season.
“Adding another local player brings excitement to our community and we are very excited to welcome Tyler.” said associate general manager Neil Langridge.
“Tyler is not only a huge asset on the ice with his large frame and powerful stride, but also brings a wealth of experience after winning a league and national championship with the Brooks Bandits this past season.”
Heading into his final junior season, Tyler Blocha joins the likes of hometown players Dylan Hebert and Brent Hoshowski, along with St. Paul’s Nicolas Beaudoin on an exciting Pontiacs roster.
“I was relieved when I got traded to Bonnyville and going to play in a place where I know I can make a difference and develop,” said Tyler Blocha.
“I can’t wait to play in front of the Pontiacs fans and I am looking forward to the upcoming season. I’m bringing size, speed, and fast pace hockey with a good shot.”
The Pontiacs are continuing to build upon the successes of last year and adding Blocha provides new recruits heading into the fall camp another great example of what it takes to play Junior A hockey.
“When the opportunity arose to bring Tyler Blocha home for his final year of junior hockey, Chad Nelson and I jumped at the opportunity, and went to work finding a way to make it happen,” said Langridge.
The Bonnyville native played 48 games last season in the AJHL and produced 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points with the Brooks Bandits. The Bandits ousted the Okotoks Oilers, swept the Bulldogs in 4 games in the South Final, and defeated the Spruce Grove Saints leading up to Blocha’s ascent as a league champion.
Blocha then went on to put up four points in six games en route to a national championship (Centennial Cup) with the Bandits.
The Bandits traded Blocha to the Crusaders as part of a multiplayer deal earlier this summer. The Pontiacs quickly turned around and acquired Blocha from the Crusaders.
“It’s pretty awesome coming back to Bonnyville and to play for the team that I grew up always watching,” said Tyler Blocha. “It’s pretty special being a hometown kid playing in front of local kids that want to be a Pontiac.
“My expectation for the season is to push my teammates and myself to go as far as we can into the post-season.”
The 2003-born forward is committed to the Northern Michigan Wildcats in the CCHA Conference of NCAA Division I hockey.