Mac’s schedule released featuring locally produced talent
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Tyler Lowey Photo
The two major media networks were on hand, along with newspaper writers from across southern Alberta. The two trophies glistened on display while fans, coaches and players waited to see the unveiling of the five divisions, but there was one historic team not in attendance.
This marked the first time in the past 25 years that the Foothills CFR Chemicals Bisons were not headlining one of the divisions.
Following Hockey Alberta’s decision to introduce the expansion of the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers and relocation of the Bisons to Airdrie, there will be no Strathmore-based team competing for the trophy.
That doesn’t mean there wasn’t any local talent on hand for the official kickoff for the tournament.
With the majority of Wheatland County players now calling the Pason Centennial Arena in Okotoks home, 12 players on the Oilers have connections to Strathmore.
Joel Krahenbil, a local product, was anointed the captain of the Oilers for their inaugural season and is ready to compete in his second Mac’s tournament.
“It’s been a goal of ours this season to host a pool, now it’s our job to make a run in this tournament and build some confidence heading into the second half of the season,” said Krahenbil.
The Oilers headline Pool 4 which features the Greater Vancouver Canadians, Lethbridge Hurricanes, New York Jr. Islanders and Prince Albert Mintos.
“We’ve got to prepare for everyone’s best,” said Krahenbil. “We need to get confidence going early, win the winnable games, be resilient in the tough ones and hopefully come out on top.”
Krahenbil is one of three Bisons left from last year’s semifinal Strathmore team, which lost to the Saskatoon Contacts 5-3 on New Year’s Eve.
“I’m glad I get the chance to be back here again; I had a lot of fun in it last year,” said Tyler Strath, who was a teammate of Krahenbil’s last season. “I want to be there for the new guys and help them out where I can. There is lots of skill in this tourney, so we need to stay positive and make sure we are playing our best each game.”
For most of the Oilers, the tourney will be a brand new experience. Many of them probably grew up attending games from the bleachers, but it will be a completely different feeling when the puck gets dropped and they hop over the boards for their first shift.
In the same boat as his players will be Oilers Head Coach Kevin Willison, who has never been behind the bench for a Mac’s tournament. Like some players, Willison has enjoyed the tournament from the bleachers, scouting potential players for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the B.C. Hockey League, where he was the head coach from 2011-2017.
“This is a worldwide tourney. We are all excited to finally get this tournament underway,” said Willison. “If we play the right way, the wins and losses will take care of themselves. We need to be disciplined, not take penalties as special teams play can be a big factor in this tournament.”
Coming into the tournament, the Oilers occupy the final playoff spot in the Chrysler Division of the Alberta Midget Hockey League with a 12-6-4 record.
The Oilers drop the puck on their tourney Dec. 26 at 12:45 p.m. when they take on the Canadians at Max Bell Centre #1. The following day, they will play in their feature game against the Islanders at Max Bell Centre #1. The Oilers will take on the other AMHL franchise in their pool Dec. 29, when they take on the Hurricanes at 11:45 a.m. at Father David Bauer Arena. They will close out round robin play on Dec. 30 when they host the Mintos at Father David Bauer Arena at 11:45 a.m.
Mark Zachary is the only Strathmore product on the Airdrie CFR Bisons, who were not awarded their own division at the 40th installment of the Mac’s tournament. Defenceman Cayde Augustine is the only player from last year’s Strathmore Bisons team to return to the tournament.
The Bisons were placed in Pool 5 with the Calgary Northstars, Ontario Jr. Reign, Regina Pat Canadians and Valley West Hawks. The Bisons were not on hand for the press conference.
The 6-14-2 Bisons drop the puck on their tournament Dec. 26 at the Flames Community Blue Arena when they host the Valley West Hawks at 12:45 p.m. The Bisons will take on the Jr. Reign Dec. 27 at 11:45 a.m., the Pat Canadians Dec. 28 at 9 a.m. at Father David Bauer Arena and wrap up round robin action Dec. 29 at the Max Bell Centre #1 at 5:15 p.m. against the host Northstars.
Local Raiders excited
for Mac’s
The defending champions on the female side are back and eager to lift the trophy once again.
Local product Natalie Funk is in her first year on the blue line for the Rocky Mountain Raiders, while Langdon products, the Borbandy sisters, are ready to go. Last year Emma Borbandy was a key part of the tournament-winning team and this year is joined by her younger sister, Kaia.
“We have a lot of girls who know what this tournament is about. We have had a strong season and are feeling good going into this tournament,” said Raiders Head Coach Paul Pozzi. “We’re bigger and stronger this year. We might have given up some speed, but we have gained a lot of skill. We are a tough team to play against and we are going to put pucks in the net.”
The Raiders will look to defend their title starting in the round robin stage, which will all be held at the Max Bell Centre #2. The Raiders open the tournament with the Swift Current Wildcats Dec. 26 at 3 p.m., move on to the Regina Rebels Dec. 27 at 5:45 p.m., host the Fraser Valley Rush Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and close things out against the Prince Albert Northern Bears Dec. 30.
Up to date scoring and standings can be followed on the Mac’s AAA tournament website (macstournament.ab.ca).