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One-third in, Canmore Eagles still finding where they fit on food chain

“I think that might have been the best October we’ve had in a long time."

CANMORE – One-third of the way into the season, the Canmore Eagles are in the middle of the pack with a 9-8-1-2 record, sitting fifth in the south standings with 21 points.

The first 20 games have been a bumpy ride for the club – mainly off the ice – with trades, injuries, new faces, and even a retirement. But despite so much transition and behind the scene noise, the Eagles just recorded their best month of October in five years (7-2-1-2) – and that’s not even because actor Jon Hamm paid them a visit.

“I think that might have been the best October we’ve had in a long time,” said head coach and general manager Andrew Milne. “It’s gotta be a league record for overtime and one-goal games. Seems like everything is a one-goal game, we’re that close.”

The Eagles have shown to be fast and skilled, addressing much-needed scoring woes in the summer and regular season.

Dating back to August, the Eagles have made four trades, sending out five players total and bringing in one: defenceman Brody Tallman, along with future considerations.

The Eagles’ latest trade in October sent forward Max Monette to the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL for future considerations. The Banff native played 62 games with the Eagles, scoring five goals and 12 points.

Former winger Carter Myrol also retired from hockey in early October to pursue education.

The Eagles counter-acted by signing forward Reed Jacobson and defenceman Ryan Nolan, both with WHL experience. However, Nolan, 20, has been out since mid-October with a shoulder injury. He is projected to return to the lineup this month.

Out indefinitely is 18-year-old forward Cole Wirun, who could be sidelined until late January at the earliest because of a broken femur.

“We’re facing a little bit of adversity here, I think, with some of our injuries, and guys have responded well,” said Milne.

“I’d like to think after 20 [games] we’ve put some of our guys in some pretty unique situations for young guys to be in. We’re learning a lot about the group and I like the direction we’re going in.”

The first 20 games have been special for captain Vincent Scott, who caught fire and is playing on easy mode with nine goals and 29 points – already eclipsing his point total from last year (24) – and currently in eighth in league scoring.

His teammates, forwards Kayden Smith and Rhett Dekowny, each won an AJHL player of the week award.

As all-star goalie Andreai Proctor-Ramirez struggled between the pipes through 20 games, goaltender Matthew Malin emerged as an early bright spot for the team with a 6-2-0-0 record, .910 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average.

With 10 AJHL rookies on the club, some of the younger players have taken on bigger roles early, fast-tracking development.

“We’ve had a lot of learning on our team and I think now it’s just kind of more off the learning and [we] just gotta do it,” said forward Riley Dekowny.

“Us 20 year olds got 40 games left [in Junior A], so I think we just want to push and try to get that learning curve out of the way and try to get those habits going each and every day and just be the successful team that we are and keep going.”

The Eagles started November with back-to-back losses.

The middle of the season starts Thursday (Nov. 10) at home against the Blackfalds Bulldogs. 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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