Kings close 2025 tied for second in South Division

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Agra Risk Wheatland Kings closed out 2025 tied for second place in the South Division, ending the year with a win and a loss in their final weekend of play. 

Sitting with 33 league points after 27 games played, the Kings are currently tied with the Cochrane Generals, though the latter has played 26 games. Leading the South Division with 39 league points are the Medicine Hat Cubs after 26 games played. 

On Dec. 19, the Kings shut out High River on their ice, taking a 4-0 win. This was followed by a loss in High River 2-1, Dec. 21 to end the year.

“We were really shorthanded for both games, so that made it tough for us for sure. We went into High River and played a really solid game,” said Doug Raycroft, head coach for the Kings. “(When) we were in Sylvan Lake, they have the best record in the whole league right now and we lost 2-1, but we really played well. We easily could have won the game even though we were missing some of our best players.”

Raycroft emphasized despite the loss and difference in league points, he is glad to see his team keeping pace with the top contenders this season. 

Throughout the South Division, there is only a nine-point difference between the Top 5 teams, while High River trails by 20.

The Coaldale Copperheads and the Okotoks Bisons each boast 30 league points, tied for third within the division. 

Raycroft continues to maintain the mindset of working to improve his team’s defense come the start of the new year. 

“It is really a process that is kind of continuous. We were pretty happy with how they played, especially (on Dec. 21). It’s definitely a weakness for us, so we are going to have to work on it all year,” he said. “I think we are pretty happy for the most part. We had to rebuild a little bit and thought we would be worse than we actually are. Right now, we are tied for second place so there is no problem sitting in that position for sure.”

With only nine games left in regular season, the Kings are eyeing the top spot in the South Division.

The players will be allowed a reprieve for the holiday season before returning to the ice Jan. 3 to face off against the Cochrane Generals.