By Laurence Heinen /
Once a Buff, always a Buff.
Anyone involved with the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association knows about the pride involved with playing for the Bantam, Midget and Junior teams based in southeast Calgary.
Just look at the number of former players who have graduated from the program now coaching with the association.
“I’m really proud of the fact that they want to remain in our organization,” said association president Donna Cornacchia, noting that the Buffaloes have built up a reputation as a first-class organization over the years. “The Buffaloes are well known. We want to make sure everyone knows who we are.”
This season, both of the association’s Junior B teams feature former players as coaches. The Blackhawks will be led by coach Jamie Ruigrok and assistant John Webb, while Johnathan Inglis will coach the Rangers with help from assistant coach Ryan Deibert.
“Retention of coaches is really important,” Cornacchia said. “We have a fabulous coaching staff from Bantam AA up to Junior B.”
CITY CHAMPS
The Buffaloes hope to build upon a strong season last year which saw the Bantam AAA Rangers win a city championship with a 5-2 win over SWAA Royals White. Meanwhile, the Midget AA Rangers won both a city and a provincial title to go along with the Source For Sports Smart Play award at provincials.
“It was a fabulous year for us,” Cornacchia said.
Both Bantam AAA coach Jeff Peters and Midget AA coach Steve Parsons have decided to take some time away from coaching after successful seasons, but Cornacchia said there’s an open-door policy for both if they want to return.
“Both would be welcomed back with in a heartbeat,” she said.
NEW MIDGET COACH
At the Midget AAA level, head coach Darren Rommerdahl has stepped back this season to become a director at large. His assistant James Poole was hired to take over the coaching reigns of the Midget AAA Buffaloes this season.
“The AAA team is always the easiest position to fill,” said Cornacchia, noting that coaches strive to gain enough experience to be considered for the job. “Once they come into our system they want to aspire to our flagship team which is AAA Midget.”
Dwayne Shauf will coach the Midget AA Rangers this season, Tyler Drader will coach the Midget AA Blackhawks, Bobby Fox will serve as bench boss of the Midget A Rangers, while Jim Finney will guide the Midget A Blackhawks.
For the first time this season, Calgary will enter four Bantam AAA teams into the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League and Joe Mabee will coach the Bantam AAA Bisons in their first season in the league.
Meanwhile, Derek Cameron will coach the Bantam AA Blackhawks, while Dale Peters will be behind the bench for the Bantam AA Rangers. |
