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'High pressure' AJHL showcase an opportunity for Eagles to fly

NHL scouts will have an eagle eye for Canmore's local junior A team this weekend at the AJHL showcase in Camrose

BOW VALLEY – The Canmore Eagles will look to ruffle feathers over the next two games while NHL and university scouts keep an eagle eye on the junior A team during the 13th annual AJHL showcase.

Taking place Thursday to Saturday (Sept. 26-28) in Camrose, all 15 AJHL teams will compete in the showcase, which is followed by the popular NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch List. Last season, Eagles' Alex Young was named to the list.

The skilled 18-year-old will have an opportunity to spread his wings again when he and his Eagles play on Thursday and Friday against the Grande Prairie Storm and Drayton Valley Thunder.

“It’s always high pressure,” said Andrew Milne, head coach and general manager of the Eagles. “There are hundreds of scouts … there are a lot of distractions and we’re expecting guys to be nervous and little cautious and we’ll game plan accordingly. The reality is, there is pressure there and they’ll get an opportunity to set themselves apart for NHL and college teams.”

To date, the Eagles sit at .500 (2-2) with wins against the Calgary Canucks (5-2) and the Olds Grizzlys (3-2) and with losses to the Canucks (5-3) and Okotoks Oilers (6-2).

Most recently, the visiting Eagles defeated the Grizzlys on Tuesday (Sept. 24). Connor Lyons scored and had two points and Young added two helpers in the win. Tian Rask opened up scoring for the Eagles and Owen Reith scored his first goal of the season, which was also the game winner.

Eagles rookie goalie, Devin Chapman, picked up his first AJHL victory with 16 saves.

After letting in a goal on the second shot of the game, Chapman calmed things down and held off the Grizzlys' charge.

“It was mentally challenging [for Chapman] and he showed confidence and a comfort level out there in his first game. I’m happy with how he responded,” Milne said.

The Eagles won its home opener over the Canucks last Friday (Sept. 20) in Banff, which was the first time the team did so in the town 25 kilometres west of the Eagles nest. The team is playing at the Banff Fenlands arena for home games while the Canmore Rec Centre is unavailable due to ongoing renovations.

Zach Carlson, who scored Friday's game-winner, said the lively and energetic Banff crowd was a "big energy boost" for the players.

"The Banff atmosphere is just amazing," Carlson said. "The fans love us and we really appreciate it and the support they showed us today was very good and we don't take it lightly, it makes us better, so a real big thank you to Banff."

The Eagles next home game is Friday (Oct. 4) against the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the team’s first ever Banff Pride Night Game. Puck drop is 7 p.m.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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