What is a Rookie?

As I was asked this question last week, I thought I'd clarify what a rookie in the NCHL is.  A rookie is defined as a 1st year player in the league.  Sounds fair - right?  Most would associate a rookie as a young player, finished with Junior A, B, C, possibly coming out of minor sports, college, semi pro, etc. 

This season, were seeing a different form of rookie.  There are a number of players who have signed on this season with various teams that challenge the term rookie. It's almost embarrassing to call them as such as they all have a tremendous amount of experience, all the way from NHL to Senior Hockey.

Fans should know who these players are as they are all very established.

Martin Sonnenberg (44) - Camrose Crush. NHL - 63 games, AHL - 487 games, WHL - 202 games, Europe - 156 games, Spengler Cup 4 games. 

Peter Vandermeer (46) - Red Deer Rustlers. NHL - 2 games, AHL - 611 games, ECHL - 168 games, WHL - 180 games, ChHL (AAA) - 135 games, Allan Cup - 3 games (Innisfail 2019). 

Matt Stefanishion (38) - Devon Barons. AHL - 19 games, ECHL - 273 games, NCAA - 57 games, ACAC - 19 games, SJHL - 155 games, ChHL (AAA) 44 games, Allan Cup - 11 games, Allan Cup Champions - twice with Bentley Generals 2013, 2016. 

Richard Kelly (38) - Morinville Kings. CIS (USports) - 49 games, ACAC - 22 games, OHL - 19 games, WHL - 185 games, AJHL - 24 games, ChHL (AAA) - 160 games. 

Dustin Claffy (38) - Red Deer Rustlers. ACAC - 120 games, BCHL - 165 games, ChHL (AAA) - 48 games. Allan Cup - 5 games. 

Eric Sonnenberg (40) - Camrose Crush. AHL - 1 game, CHL - 6 games, ECHL - 235 games, WHL - 106 games, ACAC - 51 games,

As you can see, all of these "rookies" bring a wealth of experience to their teams and to our league.  One common thread with these players is all of them have played in the ChHL (AAA) with Bentley Generals, Innisfail Eagles, Stony Plain Eagles, and Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs. Be sure to check out all of the team's rosters to see the newcomers to the league.  The calibre of senior hockey increases every year as these quality players sign on.

Who said hockey is a young man's sport??

Legend

NHL - National Hockey League (pro)

AHL - American Hockey League (pro)

CHL - Central Hockey League (pro)

ECHL - East Central Hockey League (pro)

UHL - United Hockey League (pro)

WHL - Western Hockey League (major junior)

AJHL - Alberta Junior Hockey League (Tier 1 junior)

SJHL - Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (Tier 1 junior)

BCHL - British Columbia Junior Hockey League (Tier 1 junior)

NCAA - American University

ACAC - Canadian University

CIS (Sports) - Canadian University

ChHL - Chinook Hockey League - Senior AAA