Lucas makes his case for roster spot

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This article was published 10/09/2025 (205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Asher Lucas is hoping the second chance is the one that pays off.

The 17-year-old forward from Williams Lake, B.C., who was originally drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2023, was quickly listed by the Brandon Wheat Kings. Now it’s the new location for his Western Hockey League dream.

“It’s definitely a huge goal for me,” Lucas said. “I’m just trying to take it day by day and put out the best effort I can. I really want to be here. This is my biggest goal right now, and it’s always been my goal to play in the WHL.

“I want this more than anyone here. I really want to stay.”

The five-foot-10, 179-pound forward was taken in the 11th round, 241st overall in 2023 after piling up 20 goals and 40 assists in 32 games with the Northstars Hockey Academy under-15 prep team. A year later, he had 30 goals and 42 assists in 33 games with the U17 prep team.

Lucas was dropped by Seattle in the spring and soon received a call from Brandon director of hockey operations, Chris Moulton, that he was Wheat Kings property.

“I was pretty disappointed but I’m super lucky and super grateful to be here,” Lucas said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity I have ahead of myself here. I just have to prove them wrong.”

The teenager comes by his talent honestly.

His father Tyrel, who played in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince George Cougars and Calgary Hitmen 20 years ago, opened the Total Ice Training Centre in Williams Lake after his pro career ended and coached his son as he grew up.

“My dad has been coaching me for pretty much my whole life,” Lucas said. “I’m just super thankful for that. I’ve learned a lot of things from him.”

Williams Lake, a community of 11,000, is located 290 kilometres north of Kamloops.

Lucas spent last season with his hometown team, the Williams Lake Mustangs of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. At 16, he led all rookies with 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 33 games while averaging 21 minutes a night.

“I was just super confident coming into the year,” Lucas said. “Maybe deep down I wasn’t sure, but I knew if I kept on going and was confident in myself in my abilities that I can do great things in the league. I just thought I had a lot of support in Williams Lake and I had a lot of people really helping me out every day.

“I just worked really hard and achieved that goal. It was pretty big.”

He also won 54.2 per cent of his draws and was named the KIJHL’s rookie of the year. That process involved getting team honours, then the division and conference nods.

“I won rookie of the year for my team, which was voted on, and I was super happy with that,” Lucas said. “It just kept on going up, which was super exciting.”

The biggest result of the season, beyond the award, was it did for his confidence. He said it really helped to have that success at 16.

“I think a lot,” Lucas said. “It shows that if you put your mind to something and want it bad enough, then you can do it and get it. Just because it doesn’t happen right away doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the long run. You just stick to a process and follow that goal and it gives you a lot of confidence afterwards that I can do this if I want it bad enough.”

That led him to Brandon. He had never been to the Keystone Centre before, and was thrilled with his chance to see the building and meet the staff.

“The first impression was it’s super well run, super well organized,” Lucas said. “All the people here are very kind and welcoming. I was super excited as soon as I walked in the door, super excited to be here, and happy I’m here.”

Lucas is now part of a logjam up front in Brandon.

The Wheat Kings acquired overage sniper Luke Mistelbacher to join returning forwards Jaxon Jacobson, Caleb Hadland, Jordan Gavin, Joby Baumuller, Carter Klippenstein, Ben Binder Nord, Easton Odut, Nick Johnson and Brady Turko, giving them 10 veterans in the lineup.

Barring a trade of an established player, that leaves three to five spots open for a group that includes Lucas, 2024 draftees Chase Surkan and Prabh Bhathal, 2023 American pick Jimmy Egan, 2023 draft pick Ryan Boyce, 18-year-old Gunnar Gleasman and list player Carson Ralph.

The fact Lucas is still in the conversation is a testament to how well he played after he arrived.

“I was pretty happy with my camp,” Lucas said. “I worked really hard and I thought I made some really great plays. I didn’t really get the offence I wanted but I showed pretty strongly.”

Wheat Kings assistant coach Del Pedrick said the young forward has impressed team brass.

“Asher is a guy who has pretty good offensive skill,” Pedrick said. “We like his ability to jump on some loose pucks. The challenge for him is to take his level of play up a notch and also play in traffic.”

He’ll have another chance to make his case on the weekend when the Wheat Kings host the Swift Current Broncos on Friday at Assiniboine Credit Union Place and then a night later in Virden at Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

The regular season opens on Sept. 19.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com