Laird Visit’s 100 Mile House Wranglers

Laird recently went on a road-trip north to take in a game that was played in 100 Mile House in the KIJHL which is (at present) Tier 2 Junior A.

I had reached out earlier in the week making contact with the office staff as well as club President to arrange credentials for Laird.

I had the chance to talk with Office Manager Kim McCoy who passed me on to Wranglers Club President Greg Aiken who I must say were both extremely professional in all questions I asked.

For Laird, road trips are an everyday thing when he’s up to it with this being no different that saw him cover two games.

Friday’s contest saw the Wranglers play host to the Grand Fork Border Bruins in a contest that saw them drop the game by a 3-0 score while Saturday’s game  saw the Merritt Centennials skate away with a 4-1 win.

Regardless of the scores it’s impressive to say that Laird was impressed with the crowd at both games that totalled 1,009 for both games which outdraws other Junior clubs in other leagues in BC.

Below is a report of his “road-trip” – Enjoy the read!!

Our websites are covering all amateur sports and with this post he is continuing to follow the path of Riley Langille as he follows his dreams to go as far as he can playing hockey.  

In today’s world for youngsters to achieve success they “leave the nest” and play for various teams which now have both girls, boys, women and men all across the world venture out to advance their careers. 

Riley Langille (2004), Perth, Australia, F, #16

Pasts posts;

July 18, 2022 – passing through Vancouver to IIHF in Mexico (bronze). Exhibition game in Langley, BC

1. December 11, 2022 – Campbell River Storm – VIJHL
2. February 4, 2023 – IIHF Div III Championship – Turkey – Gold
3. May 23, 2023 – Perth Thunder – APHL

Riley had been traded to the Kimberly Dynamiters last season and was traded to the 100 Mile Wranglers three weeks ago.  

During his second game with the Wranglers he separated his shoulder and is out 4-6 weeks which could realistically be the end of the season. 

Laird’s Daughter Janet lives in Lone Butte (100 Mile House), so the trip north worked out both to cover the Wranglers as well as have a Family visit.

100 Mile Wranglers are owned by a Community Society and is a team playing Jr. A – Tier II in the KIJHL playing in the South Cariboo Recreation Center.

The club has been operating since 2013 and in only their second year (2015-2016) after joining the KIJHL they made the playoffs and went on to win The Cyclone Taylor Cup and then the Keystone Cup.

Friday, 24 January vs the Grand Forks Border Bruins (attendance 523).  Right from the start, Grand Forks were flying and kept that up the entire game.  The box score tells the story.

Bruins – 3 goals (EN), 2/5 PP, 60 shots. (Wrangler goalie was the 1st star – 57/60 (W)

Wranglers – 0 goals, 0/3 PP, 28 shots (L)

Saturday, 25th January vs the Merritt Centennials (attendance 486).  The Wranglers put up a better game than the previous night but again came out on the losing end.

Centennials – 4 goals, 2/7 PP, 24 shots (W)

Wranglers – 1 goal, 0/6 PP, 24 shots (L)

Photos will help tell the story.

I would like to take this time on behalf of Sportswave’s Steve Erickson and myself to thank the Wrangler’s President Greg Aiken and Office Manager for treating me like a VIP.  

If you’re heading north be sure to “rustle up” a Wrangler Game – you won’t be disappointed!!!