Courtesy/Matt Piotrowski Photography

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Brooks Bandits trade away former Medicine Hat Tigers prospect and SAHA Alumnus, sign USHL defenceman

Nov 27, 2025 | 1:04 PM

The Brooks Bandits have traded away 2006-born defenceman Kolby Gapter to the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles in exchange for future considerations.

Gapter had signed with the Bandits in October, after starting the season with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenceman skated in seven games with the Bandits, with no points and 17 penalty minutes.

“The Bandits thank Kolby for his contributions in Brooks and wish him good luck in Surrey,” said Director of Hockey Operations Wayne Labrie.

Gapter had played 44 career WHL games with the Giants, with one assist and 40 penalty minutes before coming to the Bandits.

WHAT'S ON

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in December

Nov 30, 2025

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: November 28-30

Nov 28, 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY

Organizations in Medicine Hat and area receive donation from energy company

Nov 25, 2025

He was selected in the second round of the 2021 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft by the Tigers and traded to Vancouver during the 2024 trade deadline.

Gapter, from Arvada, Colo., played two seasons with the South Alberta Hockey Academy U18 Prep program in Medicine Hat from 2022 to 2024.

—

READ: Brooks Bandits bring in former Medicine Hat Tigers prospect and SAHA alumni

—

Bandits sign Lazarus Ebanoidze. Courtesy/Brooks Bandits

The Bandits also announced the signing of 2006-born defenceman Lazarus Ebanoidze from the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound American skater from Lake Barrington, Ill., appeared in four games with the Stampede, registering an assist and two penalty minutes.

Expect to see Ebanoidze in the Bandits lineup on Friday, according to a team press release.

The Bandits host a pair of games this weekend at the Centennial Regional Arena.

On Friday, the Sherwood Park Crusaders meet the Bandits for the fourth time this season. The Bandits hold the edge in the season series, two games to one. One point behind the Crusaders in the standings, the Bandits will look to overtake them for second in the Interior East Division.

On Saturday, the Coquitlam Express face the Bandits for the only time during the regular season, and the first time since the Bandits joined the BCHL. The Express are the top team in the Coastal East Division.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. for both games.