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Wranglers sign two more forwards to minor league contracts
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Photo credit: David Moll/Calgary Wranglers
Paige Siewert
Aug 13, 2026, 08:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 13, 2026, 02:23 EDT
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The Calgary Wranglers are proving this summer that they’re not going to wait until the Fall to solidify the depth between their AHL and ECHL affiliation. This month alone, they’ve signed eight more players, with two coming at the start of this week. The two new contracts are one-year, two-way AHL/ECHL deals for winger Braden Birnie and right wing and centre Marko Sikic.

Braden Birnie

24 years old, 6’3”, 192 lbs
Undrafted, NCAA free agent signing 
Position: Left wing/right wing (left shot)
Last Team: University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Rapid City Rush, Abbotsford Canucks
Last Season’s Performance:
NCAA – 33GP, 7G, 11A, 18 total points 
ECHL – 9GP, 2G, 4A, 6 total points
AHL – 5GP, 1A, 1 point total
Braden Birnie grew up in Weyburn, Saskatchewan and played for his hometown team, the Red Wings, from the 2019-20 season to the 2021-22 season. His last year, he split time between the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL and the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL. After his major junior career, Birnie opted to take the collegiate route at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and served as the team’s captain his junior year. Last season, he wrapped up his time in the NCAA and got a nine game showing with the Rush for his first professional games.
In his third game in the league, he put up his first goal and his first multi-point game against the Wichita Thunder on Mar. 14. 
At the start of April, Birnie was loaned over to the Abbotsford Canucks for his first AHL appearances and played in five games. The reigning Calder Cup Champions took a huge hit last season and did not qualify for playoffs so his appearances were in the last few games of the regular season. He did play in one game against the Wranglers on Apr. 11 and finished up with an assist in the season closer on Apr. 19 against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. 

Marko Sikic

23 years old, 6’2”, 198 lbs 
Undrafted, OHL free agent signing
Position: Right wing/centre
Last Team: Cincinnati Cyclones 
Last Season’s Performance: 54GP, 11G, 13A, 24 total points
Sikic came up through the OHL between the Guelph Storm and Sarnia Sting. After his last season with the Sting in 2023-24, he jumped around the ECHL a little bit, getting a three game appearance with the Newfoundland Growlers and a one game appearance with the Norfolk Admirals. He had three points in his first four ECHL games and they all came in the same game on Mar. 30 against the Worcester Railers in a stunning 9-3 win for the Growlers.
The next season, he played most of the year with the Cincinnati Cyclones for his first full season in pro. He had 18 points in 64 games in the ECHL and got a four game look with the Toronto Marlies, where he was left off the scoresheet. Last season, he spent the whole year with the Cyclones and his number climbed in less games played. Marko Sikic put up 24 points in 54 games in the ECHL. 
Both forwards are larger bodied guys with a good share of experience coming in. They’re not going to be at a point in their career where they have the rookie nerves. They’re going to be looking to take that next step and put themselves on the map, especially in the AHL and that bodes well for the Wranglers and the Rush.
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