It was an incredible season for Steinbach's Luke Mistelbacher, one that was very entertaining throughout but it was the last couple of weeks that saw things really pick up for the 19-year-old including an AHL deal, then a draft day trade that brings him a little closer to home.
"I was pretty excited, I'm a lot closer to home now," Mistelbacher said after being moved to the Brandon Wheat Kings from the Swift Current Broncos. "I'll get to see my family a lot more and I'm excited to be there. I'm pretty sure they're loading up a little bit, so it's going to be fun."
Being valued by the Wheat Kings means a lot to Mistelbacher and he's ready to be at the top of his game for his new club. "It feels good that a team like Brandon would want me to come in and help out."
Mistelbacher's stats jump off the page, he potted 42 goals, 51 assists for 93 points in just 67 games. He says a lot of his success comes from seizing an opportunity. "Getting to play a lot more, I just took the opportunity and I had a good year. I was able to play with Clarke Caswell, he's also a really good player and just went out and had fun."
As he's set to enter his final WHL season, Mistelbacher remembers what it was like back in 2021-22 when he got his first taste of the Western League, a 3-game stint with the Broncos. "I don't remember a whole lot, but I remember getting into those games and getting to see what it was like at that level, that was pretty big for me."
Learning his way through the WHL, Mistelbacher recalls what it was like rounding out his game through hard work and determination. "It was so good. I started off my 17-year-old year and I obviously wasn't as good or offensive, I guess. That next year, I got more of an opportunity playing with (Conor) Geekie and Caswell, then I took off this past year."
The Steinbach product is quick to heap praise on his past teammates, especially the ones in leadership positions for helping him be physically and mentally ready for the life of a WHL player. "I mean, the older guys that first year, they were always yelling at us to stretch, stretch after games, stretch after practices, before and after. That helped, they really showed me how it was all done, showed us all how to do it."
Coming off a standout season, Mistelbacher had the unique chance to suit up in the American Hockey League. "After the season wrapped with Swift, I ended up going down to Iowa on an ATO (Amateur Tryout). I got into two games, it was a great experience. It was awesome to see for myself what it was like at that level. It opened my eyes a lot. It was a lot faster, the guys were bigger and faster, seeing it up close was huge for me."
Like he did throughout his regular season, Mistelbacher was able to find the back of the net, scoring his first AHL goal for the Iowa Wild. "It was pretty crazy. Their d-man made a bad pass, I picked it off and I shot it in. It was such a cool feeling. I have the puck and I'll be keeping that one."
The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a massive one for the 19-year-old from Steinbach and even after the trade, Mistelbacher is locked in on what he needs to do. "I'm excited, I wasn't overly worried, I'm pretty calm, I believe it will be good. I'm closer to home and my family couldn't be more excited."
While there are some things still to be figured out, one thing Mistelbacher is certain about, he won't be worried about what number he will be wearing for the Wheat Kings. "I haven't thought about the number thing very much at all," he says with a chuckle. "I definitely won't be paying anyone for my number," he says with a laugh.
Whatever number he ends up with, if his career continues the way it has been, it'll end up all over the scoresheet for the Brandon Wheat Kings and the name Luke Mistelbacher will ring out through the speakers many, many times.