BROOKS, AB (June 24, 2015) – The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are delighted to announce the signing of 1999-born defenceman Jarrod Gourley (Calgary, AB).
Gourley, who turns 16 on Monday, was named this week as an invitee to Hockey Canada’s development camp for the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, capping off a spectacular campaign with the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association (CBHA) Rangers of the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League (AMMHL).
The 6’1”, 185lb defenceman was one of only four Albertan d-men selected to the camp.
Scoring 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) in 29 games this season, with 62 penalty minutes, Gourley won the AMMHL’s Most Valuable Defence award for the league’s South division.
He also competed at the 2015 Canada Games in Prince George, B.C., as one of 40 members of Team Alberta, which won the silver medal at the event, playing in all 6 of the team’s games.
“Jarrod is an elite young talent, evidenced by his selection to the Canadian Under-17 National Camp,” said Bandits head coach and general manager Ryan Papaioannou. “His size and strength for a player his age are outstanding and the transition to junior hockey will be a smooth one.”
“He fits the mould of what we are looking for off the ice as he is strong academically,” Papaioannou added. “We are happy Jarrod has chosen our program as his route towards the NCAA and we look forward to working with him during that process.”
Gourley is also a graduate of the Calgary Bisons Bantam AAA squad, where he scored 29 points (5 goals, 24 assists) in 32 games played in the 2013-14 campaign.
“I chose to play for the Bandits because they are always a strong team, they have some of the best facilities for their players in all of junior hockey, and they have the best fan base I have ever seen,” said Gourley. “I am going to Brooks to continue my development both as a player, and as a person.”
“Hopefully I can help contribute to the team in any way I can, to eventually go all the way and win it all,” he added.
The future Bandit also represented Canada in baseball in 2012, suiting up for Team Canada at the 12U Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Maryland.
Season Tickets for the Bandits’ 2015-16 campaign are on sale now! Reserve your great seat for all 2015-16 games, get the first crack at seats for the 2016 Playoffs, have a chance at great prizes, and more! More information is available at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.