The 2025/26 season for the U15 AAA Brandon Wheat Kings was one of success. It was capped off with a provincial championship — their fourth in the past five seasons.
But this season was about so much more. It was about honouring the legacy of a fallen teammate and friend who was gone far too soon.
Ryker Ethelston grew up playing with the boys on this year’s team and would have likely been right there with them this season.
“They all played minor hockey together. They’re very, very close,” said Dave Lewis, the head coach of the Wheat Kings.
However, the hockey community was rocked two years ago when Ryker passed away suddenly in August 2024.
“So his passing was caused by a ruptured aneurysm, a brain aneurysm,” said Craig Ethelston, Ryker’s dad. “There was absolutely no signs whatsoever that there was any issues, any concerns, any probability of him even passing. It happened very unexpectedly.”
Not only did this shock his family, it hit everyone who knew Ryker.
“Everybody really loved being around (him). It’s amazing how many people called Ryker their best friend,” said Lewis.
It was a reality that Ryker’s parents didn’t fully understand until after he passed.
“You knew he lived it every day, but you didn’t know it until he wasn’t here anymore,” said April Ethelston, Ryker’s mom. “We’re brokenhearted, but so is everybody around us.”
April noted Ryker’s tombstone even includes the line, “Best friend to all.”
Even with Ryker gone, the team wanted to ensure his memory and legacy lived on. Last season he was named the seventh skater for every game, and this year he was the honorary captain.
“We hung his jerseys in our dressing room. We hung his jerseys behind our bench for the playoffs,” said Lewis.
Craig and April said when they first learned that Ryker was being named an honorary captain, it came as a complete shock.
“When the surprise factor sort of wore off and you kind of had time to take it all in, it was for me, personally, it was just an honour to know that they thought of him in that manner. That they wanted to keep his memory alive and to have him be part of the team,” said Craig.
And a part of the team he was. Lewis said they were always talking about Ryker every game, no matter the score, reminding the players to play like Ryker did.
“He was a very hard-nosed, grinding, tough kid who always gave it everything he had. So for us, that was the way to really honour him, was to play the game that he wanted to play,” said Lewis.
‘Felt like Ryker was there’
It’s a style of play that paid off as the team fought their way to the finals and eventually helped them win the championship.
When they found out the Wheat Kings were a game away from winning, Craig and April knew they had to attend the game.
“I don’t know if I have any words on how important it was for us to be there,” said April.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the Wheat Kings finally putting things away in the third period. Craig and April said they could tell Ryker was with his team that game.
“It just kind of felt like Ryker was there and he was there giving them a little kick that they needed,” said Craig.
“He might have been swearing in there,” April joked.
Lewis felt the same way as Ryker’s parents, noting it felt like Ryker was there making sure his team won.
“His uniform number is 92 and we scored nine goals and won by two. I don’t know, maybe that’s an omen,” said Lewis.
Even after the victory, the team wasn’t done honouring Ryker. They took the championship banner to Ryker’s gravesite and gathered to celebrate with their teammate.
“Taking that banner and presenting it to him so that he could be a part of it was just that icing on the cake,” said Craig.
“We were just honoured all year. We felt love from that team, from the whole hockey community,” said April. “It makes it a little easier knowing we have other people in our corner.”
