Draw the incircle (with center $I$ and radius $r$) of $\triangle ABC$, and let it meet $BC$ at $P$. Since $IP \perp BC$, we have $IP \parallel AC$. ( _Note: This is why the right angle at $C$ matters._ ) Also, $|IP|=r$.
Let $Q$ be the point "near" $A^\prime$ on the incircle such that $IQ \parallel AB$; then, $\angle PIQ = \angle A$ and $\angle A^\prime I Q = \angle A^\prime IP = \frac{1}{2}\angle A$. By SAS, $\triangle IPA^\prime \cong \triangle IQA^\prime$, whence $A^\prime Q \perp IQ$, which is to say: the radius $IQ$ is the projection of $IA^\prime$ onto a line parallel to $AB$. This projection is congruent to the projection of $IA^\prime$ onto $AB$ itself.
The same argument applies to the corresponding projection of $IB^\prime$, so that the projections of $A^\prime$ and $B^\prime$ onto $AB$ each lie at distance $r$ from the projection of $I$.