Tyler Blocha has returned to Bonnyville and will now play for the Bonnyville Pontiacs going forwards.
The League and National Champion Tyler Blocha was born and raised in Bonnyville and comes back to his home town after playing for the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Blocha joins the Yaks after winning the AJHL Interpipeline Cup and Centennial Cup with the Brooks Bandits last season.
Associate general manager Neil Langridge says getting another local player brings excitement to the community.
“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.”
Blocha joins Dylan Hebert and Brent Hoshowski as hometown players and says he was relieved to be traded to Bonnyville.
“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 new Yak and Bonnyville native played 48 games last season in the AJHL and produced 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points while playing for the Brooks Bandits. The Bandits defeated the Okotoks Oilers, the Bulldogs, and the Spruce Grove Saints to become a league champion.
The Bandits traded Blocha to the Crusaders as part of a multiplayer deal earlier this summer but Blocha was picked up by The Pontiacs 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.