Kings close 2024 with best start in franchise history
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings closed out 2024 sitting second in the Southern Division, riding another three-win streak under their belts.
Having played 25 games so far this season, the Kings boast 39 points consisting from 19 wins, five losses, and one overtime loss.
“We are over half for sure – I think we have 12 or 13 games left. We have already beat our franchise record for points … so with a whole bunch of games remaining, we are doing pretty well,” said Doug Raycroft, head coach for the Wheatland Kings. “We still have some things to work on, so we are still hoping to get just a little better before playoffs, but we believe that we can go a long way in the playoffs.”
Raycroft added among the defining factors contributing to the team’s success this season is player health and not suffering nearly as many injuries as last year.
“Last year, we were decimated by injuries,” he said. “This year, we have had a few injuries for sure, but we are a little bit deeper of a team so (despite) those injuries we have been able to continue to win.”
The hope, Raycroft said, is to have at least a month or two being able to field a full team to the ice with no injuries.
Off the ice, he described his team as a tightknit group who have played together for multiple years. Those who are in leadership positions are capably able to maintain morale and encourage their fellow teammates.
Raycroft suggested rival teams such as Medicine Hat, Okotoks, and Sylvan Lake will be among their greatest competitors leading up to, as well as going into playoffs.
“When we are playing our best hockey, we are moving the puck a lot. We want to work on making sure that we are playing fast, moving the puck a lot, and then also just really taking care of our own end and defensively playing strong,” he said. “We are definitely better this year at playing full games. We still have some games where we start a little slow – our best periods are the second and third for sure, but we are much better this year.”
The first games of the new year will take place Jan. 3 and 4, both of which are scheduled as away games. These will be against the Cochrane Generals, and the Red Deer Vipers, respectively.
The Wheatland Kings will not play at home again until Jan. 11, when they will square off against the Okotoks Bisons.
“Two weeks with no games is a good way to heal and make sure your team is healthy … we will get a couple of practices in before the weekend and hopefully we can shake the rust off faster than everybody else,” said Raycroft.