By Laurence Heinen /
The top two teams in the Chrysler South Division from last season kicked off the 2008/09 schedule of the Alberta Midget Hockey League on Sept. 24.
The Calgary Buffaloes hosted the Lethbridge Y’s Men Titans at the Acadia Arena in a rematch of last year’s Chrysler Division final series that Calgary captured in four games.
The Buffaloes then went on to beat the Canadian Athletic Club Gregg Distributors in the AJHL Final before beating the Cariboo Cougars in the Pacific Regional Championship to qualify for the Telus Cup in Arnprior, Ont., where Calgary lost in the bronze medal final.
While the Buffaloes had a banner season last year, Calgary’s other three teams – the Northstars, Royals and Flames – all have new coaches this season and are looking to bounce back from sub-par campaigns.
“They’ve all got good solid programs,” said AMHL vice president Neil Robertson, a long-time supporter of Midget AAA hockey in Calgary and Alberta. “That bodes well for their teams coming up.”
While James Poole is back for another season coaching the Buffs, the Northstars will have Dave Millard behind the bench, the Royals welcome Ryan Hilderman as their new bench boss and Al Soucy takes over the coaching reigns with the Flames from Carey Bracko.
“All the teams look to improve upon the results of the prior year,” Robertson said, noting the natural turnover in Midget hockey results in several new faces to every team’s lineup each season. “It depends how they play and how they come out early in the season.”
Robertson said that fans who attend AMHL games will enjoy the quality of play and they might even see the makings of a future NHLer such as Dany Heatley, who led the league in scoring as a member of the Buffaloes in the 1997/98 season.
“You are watching the future stars,” Robertson said. “It’s the best entertainment for two hours for $3. You can’t beat it.
“You really are supporting local minor hockey, not only supporting it monetarily but by being there and being a fan. It’s great to get the kids out to see the players that are aspiring to be in the NHL. That’s a tremendous draw from a public perspective.” |
