What do you suppose it feels like to be a 13 or 14 years old and heading into what could be the biggest tournament of your hockey career? It sounds pretty heavy considering we’re talking about young teens, but the Bantam AAA Western Canadian Championships is a heavily scouted tournament and for these five Chestermere boys, could be the start of an exciting hockey career.
The Bantam AAA Western Canadian Championships will be held in Okotoks at the Pason Centennial Arena on March 31st to April 3rd.
The host team, the Rocky Mountain Raiders, is a regional team with several players from the Chestermere area. Forwards Kyle Crnkovic (the league’s Rookie of the Year), Tarun Fizer, Hassan Akl, defenceman Majid Kaddoura and goaltender Jackson Berry all call Chestermere home.
Raiders head coach Mickey Kluner says that although the team had a rocky go through the playoffs, that his team is ready to go. “We had a good over achieving season, but we struggled in the playoffs as we lost in the second round so we’ve been out of the playoffs now for four weeks. I think anxiousness would be the best way to sum it up. But between Raiders practices, playing an exhibition game or two, and school programs – they’ve been on the ice staying sharp and staying focused and they’re definitely eager to get it going”.
Although this tournament is known for being highly patrolled by WHL scouts, Coach Kluner says that is not the focus of this Raiders team. “Because of the timing of the tournament, the WHL draft is approximately about a month away so it’s definitely around that there are scouts there and what’s on the line for a lot of those second year players. That being said, it’s like a National Championship – it’s Memorial Cup – it’s all those things that are Bantam age in Western Canada. It’s definitely playing for pride and less trying to show one’s self off. We’re there to win hockey and win the championship – not to showcase ourselves individually”.
First year goalie rookie with the Rocky Mountain Raiders, Jackson Berry, says “It is an amazing opportunity to get to play with this elite level of hockey players. I have worked really hard to get here and I am grateful to get the chance to play in this tournament”.
Coach Kluner has coached the Rocky Mountain Raiders for three years and adds, “this team for many years had its struggles and lack of success. In the last number of years, we’ve had an incredible turn around especially with last year’s success which definitely came from some of the players from the Chestermere area. That’s led us to making it to Western’s last year but it was Southern Alberta’s turn for the Westerns and that definitely put us as one of the front runners to be eligible given our success. In large part due to the Chestermere area players, we’re going into this year’s tournament with a lot of confidence and excitement”.
For the full tournament schedule and to purchase tickets, you can visit www.okotoksbantamchampionship2016.com
