BROOKS, AB (June 19, 2018) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have acquired 1999-born defenceman Wyatt Villalta (Godfrey, ON) from the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), it was announced today.
In exchange, the Bandits send the rights to 2000-born goaltender Ryan Baker (Calgary, AB) and future considerations to the Cougars.
Villalta, 19, split last season between the Toronto Patriots and the Cougars, scoring 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists) in 51 total OJHL games played. The year prior, he scored 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists) in 38 games for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL).
The 6’4”, 212lb defenceman also spent the 2015-16 season with the Westport Rideaus of the CCHL2, scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 44 games. He is a graduate of the Greater Kingston Frontenacs Minor Midget AAA squad, where he was a teammate of current Bandit forward Mack Hancock (Kingston, ON).
Baker, 18, posted a 1-1 record for the Bandits in his rookie campaign last season with a 4.03 goals against average and .784 save percentage.
Season tickets for the Bandits’ 2018-19 national championship run are now on sale, as the team prepares to host the 2019 RBC Cup. Season tickets can be purchased online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca, by phone at (403) 501-0122, or in person at the Centennial Regional Arena.