Local products take centre stage at Kings training camp

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Joel Robinson has already delivered on one of his two main goals one weekend into his stint behind the bench of the Strathmore Wheatland Kings.
Hired as the Kings fifth head coach in the franchise’s history, Robinson wanted to further enhance the connection with the local hockey scene.
Throughout the summer, the Kings announced a handful of signings of players that came up in the Wheatland Athletic Association (WAA).
But when the roster for the Top 40 Black and White game was released Aug. 26 at the Strathmore Family Centre, Robinson added a few more local names to the mix.
A.J. Kusu, Zach Suntjens and Riley Stovka already agreed to play for the Kings earlier in the summer. Other former WAA players Isaac Benoit, Kelton Travis, Mitch Desserre and Bailey Filkohazy joined them in the showcase game.
“I’m super happy about the turnout. For this program to go in the right direction, we need support from the community and I think we already saw that here this weekend,” said Robinson.
Robinson went deep into the Strathmore Minor Hockey Association and invited Steve Wilks, Eric Sandum and Adam Kelly from the midget A program
“It’s really big to have other local guys come out for camp,” said Cole Busslinger, who was also a product of the WAA system four years ago. “Now, the guys who will make the midget double-A squad this year will watch us play and watch the guys who were on their team last year play for us and maybe want to play here next year.
“In the past, guys would graduate the program and go play in the (Kootenay International Junior Hockey League-KIJHL). Now everyone is starting to realize the (Heritage Junior Hockey League-HJHL) has really good hockey, too. Guys can stay here, see their friends, live at home, work and make money or go to school. Guys are realizing that there are a lot more opportunities here.”
Of the strong group of local talent, five of the players were members of the juggernaut midget Chiefs program that captured the franchise’s first provincial title.
Benoit led the South Central Hockey League in scoring during that provincial year and played midget triple-A in Okotoks with Kelton Travis last season.
“It feels good to be back in my hometown and in front of my home crowd,” said Benoit, who had a lot of options on where to call home this season. “Last week I decided to stay in town and play with the people I grew up playing with. I’m very excited to get going with this group we have.”
The new locals joined up with the returning vets and other listed players Aug. 24 for a scrimmage and a shootout. The same took place the following day, as the camp was divided into four teams for a pair of exhibition games. Unfortunately, the Kings were forced to cancel the goaltending workout Aug. 26, so they went right into the annual Top 40 Black and White game in front of a packed house at the Family Centre.
“I think we have a lot of talent to pick from this year. Camp went great, there was a lot of hard work put in over the few days and I think it will be a pretty good year for the Kings,” said Cole Busslinger.
Busslinger, along with Brenden Moore and Hayden Vander Ploeg, finished up their final junior training camp. All born in 1997, there is still one 21-year-old roster position available for the Kings as they enter the pre-season portion of their schedule.
Even with all the fresh faces at camp, there were still some notable omissions. Not on the Top 40 game roster were the four leading scorers from last year’s squad.
George Montour led the Kings with 37 points and aged out of the league. Chayse Hnatowich was the top rookie on the team with 32 points and is pursuing educational goals. Austin Holmes recorded 23 in his first season with the Kings and decided to leave the team to begin his post-playing career. The captain for the past two seasons, Keenan Ogle, has also aged out of the league.
“Losing guys like that hurts and there will be a hole in our lineup. I really think with guys like Benoit, Tyler Wirth and Rylee Hebert will help fill the void left behind. Those three guys are all offensive guys that think the game really well,” said Robinson.
Hussar product Bradley Tingey recorded a strong second half of last season to finish with eight goals and 18 points but has apparently retired from hockey.
Jayden Hendricks and Skylar Running Rabbit are both local players that were affiliated with the Kings last year but were not at camp. Hendricks is trying out for the Golden Rockets of the KIJHL and Running Rabbit is auditioning for a spot on the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers of the Alberta Midget Hockey League.
Last season, Indiana Kelly started the season as the No. 1 option between the pipes, but eventually lost his job to Calum Humble for the final stretch and playoff series against the High River Flyers. Humble, like Hnatowich, is pursing education, while Kelly is rumored to be in Manitoba auditioning for other junior programs.
Cole Bright appeared in 11 games last season, as he went 2 and 5 with a 4.86 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage. He was the only goaltender of the six in camp with HJHL experience. Ethan Rycroft was a local affiliated player last year, but was not present at camp. He has moved to Calgary and is trying out for midget AAA teams in the city.
Roster moves were made following the final camp game, as the Kings will take 38 players into their pre-season slate, which begins Sept. 7 against the expansion Lomond Lakers at the Family Centre.
“I plan on making that game as close to an all-Strathmore game that I can. I want to keep a lot of these midget kids around to give them a chance to play in front of their hometown crowd,” said Robinson.
The Lakers fill the void left by the Banff Academy Bears last season. They have already signed a few local players from Wheatland County in Cort Armstrong, Josh Bishop, Will Kathol and Wacy Sandum.
The Kings will be out of action during the long weekend, as the team gives the players one final weekend off after a hard-working camp before the grind of the season starts.
When the Kings resume practice Sept. 4, Robinson will be looking to live up to the second goal he set when he took the job and contend for a HJHL championship. That phase begins Sept. 21 against the Okotoks Bisons at Murray Arena in the regular season opener. The Kings will then host the Bisons the following evening at the Family Centre (8 p.m.).