BROOKS, AB (May 11, 2015) – 1997-born forward Josh McKechney (Calgary, AB) has committed to the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for the 2015-16 season, the team announced today.
McKechney, 17, has played the last two seasons with the Edge School Mountaineers in Calgary, and was the team’s leading scorer this past campaign with a whopping 76 points (36 goals, 40 assists) in 63 games.
“Josh is a player that we have liked for quite some time,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “He plays the game with attention to detail and is smart without the puck. He's shown an ability to produce with his peers and I am confident he will enjoy the same success at the junior level.”
“In addition to his on ice ability he is also a tremendous student which will aid him in the process of pursuing the NCAA,” Papaioannou added.
McKechney was named co-Student Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in 2014.
The 6’0”, 170lb forward also dressed in two games as an affiliate player for the Bandits this past season. On February 28th, McKechney scored his first Junior A goal, and the game-winner, in a two-point night for the Bandits in a 6-2 home win over the Calgary Mustangs.
“I am very excited to be joining the Brooks Bandits,” said McKechney. “Just this past season, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to play a couple of games, and the players, coaches and fans were great.”
“I knew it was a place where I’d want to further my hockey career,” McKechney added. “My past two seasons at the Edge School have helped me prepare in reaching the next level.”
McKechney is the fourth newly-committed player for the 2015-16 season that the Bandits have announced, joining 1996-born defenceman Ben Foley (Edina, MN), 1996-born forward Austin Wright (Niagara Falls, ON), and 1996-born defenceman James Gobetz (St. James, NY).