BROOKS, AB (August 23, 2015) – After completing the team’s 3-day main training camp, the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League have unveiled the 29 players who will begin the pre-season schedule with the team.
From a camp roster of 40 players, the 29-man pre-season slate will consist of 17 forwards, 10 defencemen, and 2 goaltenders, listed below with their birth years, hometowns, and prior teams.
Goaltenders
Josh Davies – 1995 – Guelph, ON – Bandits
Andrew Tucci – 1996 – Toronto, ON – Choate Rosemary Hall (NEDI)
Defencemen
Jesse Baird – 1996 – Brampton, ON – Bandits
Shane Bear – 1997 – Calgary, AB – Bandits
Jared Bowman – 1999 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampeders (AMMHL)
Ty Cousineau – 1997 – Minnetonka, Minn. – Minnetonka Skippers (MN High School)
Ian Dubourdieu – 1999 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Flames (AMHL)
Jarrod Gourley – 1999 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Rangers (AMMHL)
Taylor Karel – 1996 – Eagan, Minn. – Corpus Christi Ice Rays (NAHL)
Joe Leonidas – 1996 – Calgary, AB – Amarillo Bulls (NAHL)
Charlie Marchand – 1997 – Calgary, AB – Bandits
Cale Makar – 1998 – Calgary, AB – Bandits
Forwards
Logan Aasman – 1995 – Medicine Hat, AB – Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Matteo Aiello – 1998 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Flames (AMHL)
Jared Cockrell – 1995 – Byfield, Mass. – Bandits
Mike Falanga – 1996 – East Haven, Conn. – Connecticut Wolfpack (ECEL)
Ryan Harper – 1995 – New Canaan, Conn. – South Shore Kings (USPHL)
Tom Lee – 1997 – Calgary, AB – Salisbury Crimson Knights (NEDI)
Derek Lodermeier – 1995 – Brooklyn Center, Minn. – Bandits
Jeff Malott – 1996 – Waterdown, ON – Bandits
Leif Mattson – 1999 – Stonewall, MB – St. Albert Flyers (AMMHL)
Dylan McCrory – 1995 – Kirkland, QC – Brockville Braves (CCHL)
Josh McKechney – 1997 – Calgary, AB – Edge School Mountaineers (CSSHL)
Matt Muzyka – 1996 – Cheshire, Conn. – Hartford Jr. Wolfpack (EHL)
Kyler Nachtigall – 1996 – Calgary, AB – Bandits
Jesse Pereira – 1995 – Fort Erie, ON – Bandits
Nick Prkusic – 1996 – Medicine Hat, AB – Bandits
Hayden Ursulak – 1997 – Calgary, AB – Bandits
Austin Wright – 1996 – Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Falls Canucks (GOJHL)
“I thought speed and skill were there all weekend, the compete level varied, and the physicality got better as the weekend went on,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “We’re happy with where we’re at with these 29 guys.”
The camp weekend saw the 40 players divided into two teams, Navy and Red, with each practicing three times and playing in three total intrasquad games. After a 6-5 nailbiter for Team Red in Game 1 on Friday night, Team Navy rhymed off two straight wins, 5-4 on Saturday night, and 4-1 on Sunday night, to take the short series.
The team will begin practicing twice per day for the next three days before opening the pre-season schedule on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 against the Drumheller Dragons at an annual exhibition tournament in Okotoks. That will be followed up with a 1:45 PM Saturday puck drop against the Calgary Mustangs, and a 6:00 Sunday evening affair against the host Okotoks Oilers.
“We can slow down a little bit from the rigors of camp, and be able to start to look at some systems, and hopefully be able to see guys implement and be able to play the system on the weekend,” said Papaioannou. “It’s tough; it’s three quick games, but for us, more than anything, it’s an opportunity to see everyone together playing for the same jersey.”
The Bandits’ exhibition opener is Tuesday, September 2nd when Brooks hosts the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League at 7:00 PM at the Centennial Regional Arena. Bandits season ticket holders receive free admission to all pre-season home games, as well as reserved seating throughout the season, the first crack at playoff tickets, and the chance at great prizes! Learn more at http://tickets.brooksbandits.ca.