Four players from the Cariboo will be playing in the BCHC Prospects Game.
Asher Lucas and Kaelen Swanson from the Williams Lake Mustangs, and Jaden Rusznak and Brett Woodard from the 100 Mile Wranglers will be taking a trip down for a two-day event, November 17 – 19, with other KIJHL Prospects.
The Cariboo talent will be a part of a team practice, and participate in the WHL Testing Combine, followed by a banquet on Monday, November 18. Tuesday, November 19 will be the game between the prospects across the KIJHl against the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s top prospects.
Both Head Coach Tyrel Lucas for the Mustangs, and Head Coach Levi Stuart for the Wranglers are proud of their rookies getting recognized for their hardwork on and off the ice. Both saying that the recognition is great for the player’s careers, as well as growing the Cariboo teams to be a place to play great hockey.
“It’s great for the kids and for the team as well,” Coach Lucas says. “We are a pretty young team, and it’s great to see them having success on a team in its inaugural season.”
“It’s very cool, and big for our team to get a couple guys in there,” says Coach Stuart. “It’s cool for our town to be able to see them on that list, and just the Cariboo in general. It’s a great showing for the Cariboo teams.
Asher Lucas:
Sitting as one of the top goal scorers for the 2024/2025 season with 12 goals and 12 assists, with 27 points. Lucas, a Williams Lake boy, has been one of the powerhouses on the Williams Lake Mustangs, at only 16 years of age. He scored his first, and team first, Hat Trick on Nov. 1 against the Kelowna Chiefs, and been averaging 2 points per game. He is ranked fourth in the league overall, and first in the rookies.
“He is very driven,” Coach Tyrel Lucas says on his rookie forward. “He set some goals for himself, and that [BCHC Prospects Roster] was a big goal for him. He’s fortunate that he’s surrounded by some great players and teammates. They helped him have success at the start of the season, he’s been off to a good start.”
Between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8 games, Lucas picked up four goals and five points, earning his second KIJHL Young Guns selection of the season.
Kaelen Swanson:
Coming off a three goals and two assists in the last three games. Kaelen Swanson’s rookie season has started off well. Averaging 1.5 points per game, and rounding out the Top 10 Rookies in the KIJHL, the Williams Lake born Forward has become one of the top scorers on the Mustangs, with a total of eight goals, 11 assists, and 19 points on the season.
Swanson is known for his speed and ability to adjust and try new things on the ice. He was selected as Oct. 17’s Young Gun after he scored three goals and three assists in three games.
Jaden Rusznak:
Managing nine goals and 14 assists so far in the season. Rusznak come in second place in the KIJHL’s Rookiess with 23 points. Rusznak has been part of the Wranglers since coming out of the midget division. Standing at 6’2 and 190 lbs, Rusznak has put in a lot of work in the off seasons to develop his skills as part of the build up the Wranglers have had this season.
“He’s come right from the beginning,” says Coach Levi Stuart. “He’s been a big part of the rebuild we’ve had here [in 100 Mile]. He’s a high IQ guy, with a lot of power. It’s great that he’s getting rewarded for all of the hardwork, those little things, that he’s put in.”
Brett Woodard:
The sole defenseman from the Cariboo adds some of the biggest weight, and hitting onto this year’s BCHC Prospects Roster. Brett Woodard has been playing a good power defensive position. Physical and unafraid.
“He’s a young guy in the league, only 16, playing against 19 and 20 years old men,” Coach Stuart said.
“He’s shutting them down, and he’s hard to play against. He takes care of his own end first and foremost. It’s awesome that he’s being recognized for his play away from the puck, his physicality, and him being a teammate. He’s a beloved guy in the locker room, and a guy nobody likes to play against.”
The BCHC Prospects game will be on Tuesday, November 19, showcasing the talent that is coming out of the KIHJL.
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