While Banff’s Colton Semenok and his AJHL league champion Brooks Bandits battle the BCHL champion Penticton Vees for the Doyle Cup and a possible berth in the Royal Bank Cup national championship, the Canmore Eagles aren’t waiting around to reload for next season.
The Eagles launched their 2012 spring training camp on Thursday (April 19) as 150 young hockey players showcased their talents for a spot on the team next season.
Head coach Andrew Milne said after last year’s disappointing 18-39-0-3 season, he wants to “change the dynamic” of the Canmore Eagles.
“After the results we had last year, there are 23 jobs up for grabs. We want the most competitive team on the ice, and we’re starting with high expectations,” Milne said.
The Eagles were the youngest team in the AJHL last season, and 18 players are eligible to return. However, Milne said everyone has to earn a spot on the 2012/2013 roster, as no jobs are safe. Most of last year’s team was also on the ice, testing their mettle against their younger competition.
Forty of the 150 players will earn invitations to the team’s summer camp, Milne said. Although rust was evident in Friday’s scrimmages, Milne said he wants players who are dedicated to the program.
“We want guys who will commit to the program. Guys with a work ethic who can play to a structure.”
Several Bow Valley hockey players are vying for a chance to join fellow hometown players Luke Philp, Simon Philp, Luke Simpson, John Stevens and Jeremy Gordon.
Roman Meltzer impressed coaches Andrew Milne and Kurtis Jones early. Meltzer played defence last season for the Notre Dame Argos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, where he scored 12 points in 33 games. The 16-year-old, who stands five foot 11, also picked up 20 penalty minutes.
Other local candidates include Patrick Dove, who also tried to crack the Eagles lineup last year. He played Midget Tier 1 last year in the Greater Vernon Minor Hockey Association, where he scored nine goals with 13 assists and 78 penalty minutes in 44 games. J.P. Gingras, another Bow Valley player vying for a spot on the Eagles roster, scored three goals and had seven assists with the AC Avalanche of the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League.
In other Eagles notes, Rob Anderson won the team’s second annual poker tournament at the Stony Nakota Casino, walking away with $5,000. The event raised $9,000 for the club.
