Team South continues to own bragging rights in the Heritage.
For the third straight year Team South dispatched their counterparts in the Heritage Junior Hockey League All-Star Game, taking the 2020 classic on Jan. 5 in Medicine Hat by a 7-3 count.
“I think that’s the end goal to prove overall we have a stronger division than they do,” said Okotoks Bisons head coach Chris Beston, the bench boss for Team South. “This is my third year coaching the All-Star Game and the South is 3 and 0. They didn’t want to stop the streak this year so they kept it going.”
Okotoks was represented on the ice at every position with netminder Devin Reagan, forwards Tyson Scott and Tyler Alger and blueliners Mitch Wolfe and Joel Deeprose, a replacement for Kale Hawryluk who wasn’t able to attend, wearing the Team South jerseys with pride.
“There really isn’t a philosophy, it’s more so for the kids to have fun and showcase what you can do,” Beston said. “It’s a good experience and you get to play with different players.
“I made sure that nobody on the same team played together. The North did it a little bit different, but the last three years I made sure that nobody on the same team is on the same line together.”
Turner Valley’s Scott, the HJHL’s points leader by a country mile, opened the scoring while Wolfe added a late insurance goal.
Reagan played the first 30 minutes of the game, stopping 15 of 16 shots he faced.
“Devin played really well,” Beston said. “And everyone showcased exactly what they were there for. And again being off the ice for 20 days, I was pretty happy with how they performed.”
New to the all-star festivities this year was the introduction of a Top Prospects Game, boasting the plethora of talent from those aged 18 and under.
Team South, which featured Bisons Hayden Hale and Dylan Wenzel, took the game by a 5-2 count with Wenzel leading the way in a two-goal effort.
“I enjoyed it. I think it showcased the young group really well, they all skated really well,” Beston said. “I think it’s a good start to what I think can be a good (prospects) game.
“I think that’s the plan, going forward they want to turn this league into a development league and not an ending spot.”
Scouts from American college programs were on-hand to take in the all-star festivities with scholarships to league players becoming more of a regular feat for the HJHL.
The likes of Bisons graduate Kyle Dunville and High River Flyers standout Davis Sheldon have gone onto to play south of the border in the ACHA.
The Bisons are back to league action this weekend with a stop in Red Deer on Jan. 11 followed by a Jan. 12 matinee at 1:15 p.m. at Okotoks’ Murray Arena versus Med Hat.
For more information go to okotoksbisons.com
