Pontiacs acquire Gayfer, McKim and ship out Lugli, Reeves in separate deals

Tyson Gayfer, left, and Matthew McKim, right, will suit for the Bonnyville Pontiacs in 2019-20. Image credits: Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Robin Short via The Telegram. 

The Bonnyville Pontiacs off-season moves continue.

The Yaks acquired Tyson Gayfer and Hudson Schandor in a three-way trade with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons and Salmon Arm Silverbacks last week giving up 1999-born defenceman Noah Lugli and forward Lucas Reeves last week.

The Pontiacs also receive the rights to a WHL player that the organization can’t name, said head coach and general manager Rick Swan.

On Tuesday, Schandor was shipped to the Surrey Eagles for crafty forward Matthew McKim.

“We had a number of pieces that we had to move because of age restrictions and just numbers and really good availability of players that wanted to be a Bonnyville Pontiac,” said Swan.

“They’re going to come in and they’re going to certainly add to what we’ve got going on the ice because they’re good players, but they’re going to add to our organization and our community because these guys are world-class kids.”

Swan says Gayfer is a captain-type character player similar to the Pontiacs Joel Ray.

He scored 14 points in 41 games last season, his first year in the BCHL.

“Getting a quality high-end player like Tyson Gayfer as well made our team strong and we are tremendously optimistic now about being able to play to the standard that we, I guess, created for ourselves last year with 41 wins,” said Swan.

Matthew McKim captained St. Andrew’s College prep school for two seasons before scoring 31 points in 58 games last season with Salmon Arm.

Swan compares his style to former Pontiac Alden Dupuis, who scored 50-plus points twice in his three full seasons with the Pontiacs (2014-15 to 2016-17).

“He is a highly skilled, highly intelligent player that I think it will come in and play a massive role not only offensively, but he’s a complete 200-foot player,” he said.

“He’s going to be a real exciting player….fast, quick, highly dynamic and extremely smart.”

There are more trades expected this week.