The Drayton Valley Thunder have acquired two new players ahead of the upcoming Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) season.
Left-handed forward Loughlan McMullan from the Northern Manitoba Blizzard has been acquired in exchange for a player development fee.
Hailing from Brandon, Manitoba, Head Coach and General Manager Jeff Truitt says the six-foot, 2007-born player “has a winning pedigree.”
“He’s coming off back-to-back championship seasons, and that leadership and experience will be invaluable to our team,” Truitt says.
Last season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), McMullan contributed to the team’s championship run. He scored six points in 38 regular season games and added seven points in 13 playoff games. Prior to his time with the Blizzard, he was with the Brandon Wheat Kings U18AAA club that won the Manitoba Provincial Championship and attended the TELUS Cup.
The team has also signed a local, Cohen Carter.
The 2007-born defenceman is a product of the Drayton Valley Minor Hockey system and spent last season with the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Prior to that, he was with the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy U18 prep team during the 2023-24 season.
Truitt says, “He’s a talented young player with a tremendous work ethic, and our hockey operations staff have been watching his development closely.”
Carter says it’s a dream come true.
“I’ve grown up watching this team and to have the chance to wear the jersey is something I’ve always wanted,” he comments. “I feel that Drayton Valley represents an elite place to compete and develop.”
The AJHL season starts Sept. 19 at home against the Olds Grizzlys.
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