The time to make noise is now for the Okotoks Jr. B Bisons.
Boasting a lineup made-up of 11 skaters born in 1999 and an additional eight in 2000, the Heritage Junior Hockey League team is built to contend as it looks for its first championship since 2014.
“We’re built for this year, we know this is our year to go for it,” said Bisons head coach Chris Beston. “We’re a real old team this year, there will be a lot of turnover next year and it was by design, we’re built to take a serious charge at it this season.”
There’s a track record in the Heritage, in particular, of teams built on the backs of 20-year-olds as well as overagers, with each team allowed a maximum of four, making championship runs.
Okotoks’ first and only provincial championship team in 2013 was very much in that mould.
“We’ve got a lot of 20-year olds and there could be a couple more that come,” said Bisons general manager Ryan Rarick. “A lot of times in this league, and certainly what I’ve noticed in the last couple years is that the teams that have a lot of 20-year-olds like Airdrie did last year, they tend to be the teams that are hard to beat.
“We already had a good group of those '99s and we’ve been lucky enough to add a couple more of them.”
The 1999-group includes all-star goalie Devin Reagan, defencemen Bryan Weber, Joel Deeprose and forwards Connor Taylor, Brandt Black and Devyn Stewart.
Okotoks added some skilled forwards in the same age group during the off-season in Tyler Witzke, Brennan Schwark and Okotokian Ryan Bedard along with 2000-born Josh Niwa.
“With the newcomers you’re going to expect a lot of scoring power,” Beston said. “They add a nice dynamic to our team, they’re top-end scorers that will bring some excitement and beautiful plays and raise the tempo up quite a bit.”
Okotoks’ four overagers are Jagger Thiessen, Nicolas Lush, Mitch Wolfe and Kyle Harrison. Rookie Hayden Hale is the lone 2001 born player on the roster.
The third season of junior is often when players make the biggest strides, Beston said.
“That’s where you see them shine,” he said. “The first year is always a learning curve and second year they’re starting to feel their way and third year they’re more comfortable, the game slows down a little bit more for them.
“They’re a little bit thicker, a little bit bigger and are used to the physicality now.”
Okotoks has been bit by the injury bug in the pre-season, particularly on the back-end with three blueliners currently sidelined.
When healthy, Okotoks’ defence corps is impressive and includes returnees Wolfe, Weber, Joel Deeprose, Luc Thorimbert, Devon Barlow and Travis Scott along with Michael Bentz, a two-year veteran of the AJHL with the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
In goal, Reagan is back for his third season looking to build on his already gaudy totals with the herd. Okotokian Matt Baba is also returning to the goaltending tandem after seeing limited time last season.
“(Baba) has come a long way even from last year,” Beston said. “He’s a reliable back-up. We have two goalies we wouldn’t hesitate to put in any situation.
“We gave him the option last year to say we will let you go to any team you want and you can play in this league. He chose to stay with us and be the third goalie and we respect that, respect him and his character.”
Okotoks was 3-1 during the exhibition schedule.
The off-ice effects from the trip to Lethbridge on Sept. 15, a 6-2 win over Lomond, should prove to be more impactful than the on-ice results.
“The one thing I’ve noticed with this team already is the leaders within the team have taken it upon themselves to do things outside of the rink as a team,” Rarick said. “The teams that I’ve been a part of that have been successful in the past do things together a lot outside of the rink.
“I’m hopeful that the kids can play like I know they can and can all gel together and if that happens I’m confident that we can duplicate 2013.”
Okotoks opens the season on Friday at home versus the High River Flyers to begin its 2019-20 quest for a 12th HJHL championship banner.
Northern Division teams have held the edge over the past half-decade with four straight championships. The 2015 Coaldale Copperheads are the most recent title winners out of the South. Okotoks won four straight championships from 2011-14.
“I’m excited about the depth,” Beston said. “We will have four solid lines and six solid d-men every night and you can throw any one out at any time and not worry about it. You know you can count on everybody on our team.”
