After a look at the AAA Bantam Airdrie Xtreme’s opening game roster, one thing is immediately apparent – this team has a lot of talent familiar to Cochrane and area hockey fans.
The Xtreme hosted its 2011-12 regular season home opener, logging a 3-2 victory over the Okotoks Oilers, Sept. 17 (See relate story on page 19). Over the rest of the season, Bow Valley talent will play a key role in the team’s success or failure.
No position is more vital than goaltender. The Xtreme’s starter comes by way of the AA Bantam Bow Valley Timberwolves of the South Central Alberta Hockey League. Last year Ryan Ternes posted a 12W-3L record, with an excellent 2.66 goals against average and .910 save percentage.
“Through camp, through exhibition and into our preseason tournament, he emerged as our No. 1 goalie,” said Xtreme head coach Terry Keogh. “He is a good, solid goaltender with excellent reflexes.”
Anchoring the defence in front of Ternes will be assistant captain Tristan Thompson, hailing from Canmore, and the netminder’s fellow Timberwolves veteran Jaydan Gordon. Thompson, one of four returning Xtreme players, had six goals and five assists in 33 games last year. Gordon had one goal and seven assists with the T-wolves.
But Bow Valley players will add more than just defence to the Xtreme’s roster this year. Sniper Ryan Barrow finished second in AA Bantam scoring last year with 35 goals and 41 assists in 32 games.
“He is very skilled and a smart hockey player,” said Keogh. “He thinks the game well and anticipates the play. He was in it to the bitter end at last year’s training camp, and we decided to send him back for another year of growth and development. We’re glad he’s here this year.”
In addition, another T-wolves veteran will add scoring punch to the Xtreme this year.
Chad Harrison, who scored twice and earned first star honours in the Xtreme’s home opener, had 17 goals and 11 assists with Bow Valley in 2010-2011.
Coming out of training camp, Keogh and company decided to roll the dice with six 13-year-old rookies this season. Four of them come via the AA PeeWee Bow Valley Timberwolves, a team that racked up an awe-inspiring 28 wins and two losses during the regular season, and added seven consecutive playoff victories. Leading the way is Dillon Dube. He finished second in AA PeeWee with 69 goals and 30 assists in 29 games. At 5’5” and 135 pounds, he will be among the Xtreme’s smallest players this year, but has the talent to succeed, according to Keogh.
“We’re talking about a very skilled player, and exceptional skater,” he said. “He certainly showed us his speed throughout camp, winning a number of foot races. We like fast players and fast hockey. He brings that to us, and has good hands too.”
In addition, the Xtreme welcome three 13-year-old defencemen from the AA PeeWee Timberwolves: Andrew Fyten (seven goals, 23 assists in 28 games), Adamu Tanaka (11 goals, 20 assists in 30 games) and Shaye Seefried (five goals, 11 assists in 24 games).
Having so many first-year bantams doesn’t concern Keogh.
“A lot of the first year defencemen have decent size, 5’9” and 5’10”,” he said. “During training camp and exhibition, the 14 year olds we released didn’t push to reach that next level. These 13 year olds did.”
“The biggest problem 13-year-olds have is struggling to find consistency. We’re willing to put up with that to see the potential they will have by Christmas.”
The Xtreme roster also features one more player familiar to Cochrane hockey fans – Leif Undseth. The 5’10” 168 pound defencemen played Tier 2 Bantam last season, but Keogh sees in him enough up side to bring him into AAA.
“In camp we saw a couple of guys who we think have huge potential. We were patient with them and watched them push themselves up to our speed. Now it’s just a matter of seeing how far they can go. Undseth is one of those guys,” said Keogh.
