BROOKS, AB (March 29, 2016) – Four Brooks Bandits players were selected to the annual Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) All-League and All-Rookie teams in a vote of league head coaches, it was announced today.
Star Bandits defenceman Cale Makar (Calgary, AB), fresh off his accolades as AJHL Rookie of the Year, was selected as one of two defencemen on the AJHL South All-League Team, and was the only unanimous selection on the South All-Rookie Team.
Makar was joined on the All-League team by teammates Jeff Malott (Waterdown, ON) and Derek Lodermeier (Brooklyn Center, MN), as the Bandits comprised half of the honoured players in the South this season. It is the first time a team has had 3 players on a single all-League team since the Bandits also accomplished that feat in 2010-11, when goaltender Jan Obernesser was joined by forwards Riley Simpson and Matt Wilkins.
Bandits rookie forward Josh McKechney (Calgary, AB) was also selected as a forward on the division’s All-Rookie team, after opening his AJHL career as the fifth-highest scoring rookie in the league with 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 59 games.
The Bandits have now been represented on the South Division All-League team for the last six consecutive seasons, and on the South Division All-Rookie team for the last five straight. It is also the Bandits’ second consecutive season with a unanimous All-Rookie selection, after goaltender Josh Davies (Guelph, ON) received all votes last year.
The Bandits open their AJHL South Division championship title defence this Friday night, in Game 1 against the Camrose Kodiaks at the Centennial Regional Arena at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca, by phone at (403) 501-0122, at the CRA from Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM to 1 PM, or at the door.