May 12, 2026: FOUR ARRIVALS, TWO DEPARTURES, TWO EXHIBITION GAMES
With a handful of player announcements coming in, it is time for a new thread. This year, I guess, is the start of the Late Twenties. Time sure marches on!
There are four new players, all forwards. One is announced on the team website, one is at Elite Prospects and the LOI page, and two more are LOI-only. My guess is that more announcements will come soon at GoBisons.ca. Here are the rookies thus far:
LONDON HOILETT – F – Virden (MJHL)
London Hoilett is a Winnipeg boy coming home. Although he played his overage season with the Virden Oil Kings in the MJHL, he previously played for the Vancouver Giants and Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. His dad, Trevor Hoilett, played basketball and football for the Bisons. He is also a musician, with a stage name of Ty Kiddo. His numbers in the WHL were 175 GP, 25 G, 19 A, 44 Pts. In the MJHL they were 57 GP, 32 G, 26 A, 58 Pts.
Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: The Hoilett legacy continues: WHL veteran London signs with men’s hockey
TEAGUE MCALLISTER – F – Alberni Valley (BCHL)
Here’s a player with no prior connection to Manitoba, having been born in Kitscoty, Alberta (a town I’ve never heard of) and played his junior hockey with the Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL) and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL). He was their “Unsung Hero” and “MVP” last year, and wore an A. He previously played for Canada West in the World Junior A tournament. His AJHL numbers were 83 GP, 16 G, 26 A, 42 Pts and his BCHL numbers were 60 GP, 22 G, 19 A, 41 Pts. He is currently the only Bison for 2026-27 listed at Elite Prospects, and is also on the LOI page.
ERIK PASTRO – F – Trail (BCHL)
Recruiting from outside Friendly Manitoba continues to be a “thing” for the new era Bison management team. We have here a native of Vernon, B.C. He played for the Vernon Vipers (BCHL) before accepting an offer from the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks for 2025-26. Instead, he wound up returning to the BCHL and played for the Trail Smoke Eaters. Looks like the influx of Evil Monkeys did him in, although no links state this to be the case. His Junior A stats line is 161 GP, 47 G, 65 A, 112 Pts. In a unique twist, he will have played for two teams with a history of winning a world championship. The Trail Smoke Eaters (as a senior club) won in 1961 and the Bisons won it in 1931.
BRANDON FUNK – C – Spruce Grove (BCHL)
Although he finished his junior career with the Spruce Grove Saints (an Alberta team in the BCHL) Brandon Funk is a Winnipeg boy. He started with the Portage Terriers, Winnipeg Blues, and Steinbach Pistons (all of the MJHL). Then it was off to the Minot Minotauros (NAHL) for a half-season before going to Spruce Grove for a season-and-a-half. Last year he wore an A. At Elite Prospects he is listed as a recruit for the Long Island University team in NCAA Division 1. However, he signed a Bison LOI. His MJHL numbers were 159 GP, 51 G, 54 A, 105 Pts, in the NAHL it was 33 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 Pts, and in the BCHL it was 74 GP, 18 G, 20 A, 38 Pts.
DEPARTURES
The Bisons have lost two players who would have been entering their second seasons. Both came from the ECHL and had try-outs with the Manitoba Moose.
Lucas Brenton was the team’s best defenceman, and finished 6th in overall team scoring (28 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 Pts). He’s off to Michigan Tech of the NCAA. He’ll be difficult to replace.
Also, forward Blake Swetlikoff is back to the ECHL. He signed with the Greensboro Gargoyles on March 7, 2026. He was 7th in scoring amongst forwards. He started on the 1st line and finished on the 3rd. His numbers were 28 GP, 6 G, 8 A, 14 Pts. He had 6 assists in 18 ECHL games. I don’t know if that was an ATO or a regular contract.
EXHIBITION GAMES
The CW has not yet released a schedule, and the Bison website has nothing. However, two games against NCAA teams have been announced by the opponent. I linked those in the 2025-26 thread:
October 4th Bisons at North Dakota
January 2nd Bisons at Minnesota-Duluth