The NCHL's 29th season came to a sudden and dramatic end when Cam Maclise scored in overtime as the Lacombe Generals won their second consecutive Vanberg Cup. The win capped another great season of hockey in the North Central Hockey League.
This was the first year since 2015-2016 season that the league was split into divisions. This helped cut down on travel for the teams, and helped rekindle rivalries. Both divisions saw teams see-saw in and out of first place right down to the final weekend of regular season play. This season also marked the first time since 2014-2015 that "live scoring" was used by all teams
The league's two newest teams, the Wetaskiwin Longhorns and the Camrose Bruins lead the league in attendance throughout the season, both averaging over 800 fans per game.
The league, for the first time, had a league sponsor. Unparalleled Apparel out of Calgary, owned by Jaret Smith, former player with the Red Deer Rustlers (and son of JR Smith of the Hinton Heat) joined up with the league in the fall and supplied NCHL coats, hoodies and hats to our Executive, All Stars and championship team. Unparalled also designed the league's new logo. Thank you Jaret for your help and continued support.
We unfortunately did not receive pictures as requested from all of our all stars. This was the first time that our all stars and league champions received some swag!
Mike Gudmanson - Devon Barons. Ryley Bennefield - Wetaskiwin Longhorns
Coltan Buchta - Bonnyville Pontiacs
Red Deer Rustlers
Tyler Berkholtz - Jason Lloyd - Cory Pritz - Brodan Salmond - Gabe Bast
Speaking of cha
mpions, Colin Zimmer of the Lacombe Generals just captured his 5th Vanberg Cup. That puts him in some rarified air behind only the Slave Lake Winterhawk’s duo of Kyle Hansen and Sheldon Ghostkeeper who each won 6 Cups during the Winterhawk's hey-dey in the early/mid 2000's.
After the playoffs concluded, for interest's sake, I contacted Lacombe and Devon to inquire about injuries sustained during the playoffs. I was blown away with the response, as we were aware of very few of these injuries:
Devon
- Josh Dugas, Eric Deleeuw, Terrell Vekved each played through shoulder injuries
-Gage Joel torn groin suffered in the Bonnyville series - did not return
Lacombe
- Jamie Johnson, broken rib Game 2 vs Wetaskiwin, set up winning goal in Game 2 OT. Missed one game.
- Craig Gans, broken rib Game 2 vs Wetaskiwin missed 0 games. Separated sholder Game 4 vs Devon, did not play in game 5.
-Beaudon Rider, separated shoulder vs Wetaskiwin - did not return
-Taylor Mulder, shoulder and hip injuries - missed 0 games
-Scott Maetche - broken nose - missed 0 games
-Thomas Beretta - groin injury, possible broken finger - missed 2 games
-Dayton Playford - concussed vs Wetaskiwin, missed 0 games
-Bryce Wilson - broken thumb game 3 vs Red Deer, played game 4, missed games 1-3 vs Devon
-Blair Mulder - bone bruse on foot - missed 0 games
-Mac Engel - groin injury - missed 0 games
-Kade Garritty and Tyler Chevez-Leech - pulled hip
-Cam Maclise - pulled groin in 3rd period game 5 vs Devon - was questionable if he would return for OT. Ended up scoring the cup winning goal!
With the season now behind us, there are a number of people who need to be acknowledged.
Thank you to the live scorers from each team. They all were very quick to learn the system and after a few early minor mishaps, the rest of the season went well.
Thank you to the assignors in the North Central, Northern, and North Eastern Hockey Alberta Referee's zones for supplying competant referees and linesmen throughout the season.
Thank you to the fans who attended the games throughout the league. Your continued support is what helps keep our teams operational.
Thank you to the teams, their sponsors, management, coaches, players, off ice officials, trainers, and anyone who helped out in any way.
Thank you to our Executive - they're a fun bunch to work with!
Thank you to Derek and Michael From Esportsdesk for their help with website issues that arose during the season.
Up next
- the league's AGM scheduled for Devon in May.
-the league's scheduling meeting scheduled for July - location TBD
-the league's fall meeting scheduled for September - location TBD
Finally, stay tuned as next season marks our 30th year. Have a great summer!
