A hockey season can be full of ups and downs, and nobody knows that better than Mitch McAllister. He’s had his share of experiences on both ends of the spectrum this year, but last weekend you can put one in the positive column. McAllister was selected as a starter for Team South and then named team captain for the Midget AAA All Star game by the coaches. “It’s a huge honour for me to know that there are so many great players in this league and I was chosen to be captain. I was honoured just to be playing.”
The year didn’t start out that well for McAllister. He made the Calgary Canucks Junior Team, but was sent back to midget after suffering a concussion in the first regular season game. “That was frustrating because I thought I belonged there, and when I was sent back, it took me a few games to get going. We’ve got a great group of guys though, and I’m happy to be a part of it.” McAllister is also captain of The Bisons, and he helped lead his team to the final of the prestigious Mac’s Midget Tournament over Christmas.
His coach, Jeremy Friesen has a lot of good things to say about him. “Mitch has a passion and a drive to succeed. He wants to do whatever it takes to get to the next level. He has been our crutch and spark plug all year. When he’s going, we go.”
Since the Mac’s though, The Bisons have struggled. A point not lost on McAllister. “We know we’re better than we’ve been playing. We play three top teams in our last regular season games. We want to play well, turn things around, and get ready to make a big push in the playoffs.
As for the All Star game, Team South lost 8 – 5, and McAllister was held off the score sheet. Still he says, it was a great learning experience. “It was great, but I try not to get too high on myself when things are going good, and not too down when I’m struggling or in a slump. The game is all about confidence and when you’re confident you play your best.” Next action for the Bisons is Saturday, February 11th when they travel to Red Deer to face the first place Rebels.
