Written by: Scott Savard
Headline Photo by: Scott Savard
High River, AB (May 4, 2026) – The High River Flyers have announced that assistant captain Lucas Hughes will continue to don the Flock uniform for the 2026-2027 HJHL season.
Hughes has played two seasons with the Flyers, posting 69 points (29 G, 40A) in 63 games over that span. He would hit career highs in goals with 21 and 40 points last season for the Flock. In both previous seasons, Hughes finished over a point per game and currently sits with a 1.11 points per game average.
Flyers Head Coach Tom Bradbury explained it was an easy decision to bring back the talented forward.
“He was one of our top point scorers last year. To have him back is a must. It’s his last year as a Junior (player), and we want to build a team around him to make a playoff run,” Bradbury said.
Hughes finished second on the team in points, with McCallum Bakken finishing one spot higher with 41 points to Hughes’ 40. He led all Flyers players in goals by a wide margin as the next best was captain Wout Rehorst, who collected 15 to Hughe’s 21 goals. As for assists, Hughes was tied for second with Ethan Burgeson, who both had 19, with Bakken at the number one spot with 29.
Out of the 21 goals Hughes potted last season, 10 of them would come on the power play, which was a big reason the Flyers were able to finish in first place in the HJHL with a 24.1 power play percentage. Hughes’ 10 power play goals were also the third most of any player in the HJHL, as Tyler Gyori (Mountainview Colts) and Kyle Woolridge (Medicine Hat Cubs) finished higher with 11 power play goals.
“The last few years have been a rough ride for our fans and players, but there is belief by the returners and in the organization that the Flyers can flip the script for the 26/27 season, and I’m excited to be part of it,” Hughes said about continuing his junior hockey career with the Flyers.
Hughes now joins Erich Baxter as the first two players who have announced their return to the Flock. Keep an eye out for the 2026-2027 HJHL schedule to be announced as the Flock is set to make an impact this coming season.
