It's been a strong start for the Mountainview Colts, who once again sit near the top of the league standings. Although they have some strong newcomers, the Colts are relying on veteran leadership as they look to defend their Heritage league championship.
Assistant coach Michael Galye said it's early in the season but the team is already starting to come together. “We've been gaining ground,” he said. “We've got some really young players. We've got some rookies who came in who just graduated from midget. We've got two 16-year-olds on the team. Definitely a young squad.”
Galye said the coaching staff is really pleased with how the team is performing at this point in the season. “They've been working hard at practices,” he said. “We've been working on defensive coverages and our special teams. It's going to be some growing pains and we're aware of that.”
Galye said the coaches are working hard to develop the younger players because “they're the future of the program.”
“We're happy with the successes we're seeing,” he said. “We've had a few lapses here and there. Somehow the boys battle back every game and don't quit on it. They stick with and we chip away and get ourselves back in the game.”
“Our biggest strength is our depth with the ability to go four lines deep,” said Galye. “We have three very offensive lines,” he said. “Our fourth line has been contributing in a defensive role. That's been a big positive for us. Our special teams have been outstanding this year. We've been working hard on that. The biggest positive is the desire to compete. Being a younger team, they all have that desire to compete on a daily basis.”
Galye said the team has been working hard at practices as well and showing a great work ethic. He added that the team is working hard on implementing a new defensive system this year.
“That's a key,” he said. “We're teaching a man-to-man system versus a zone coverage. A lot of players are taught zone coverage in their minor hockey careers. So that's been our key focus. We really want to take care of our own zone.”
Another strong positive for the Colts is the veteran goalie tandem of Jack Carlson and Thomas Della Siega. Both goalies are back from last year's championship run and give Mountainview one of the top goaltender rotations in the league.
“You can't say anything bad about either,” said Galye. “They're both very confident. They're seasoned veterans. They've both been in the league for a number of years. They're great. We're tickled pink to have them both back this season.”
The team is happy with the support they've gotten from the Mountain View community.
“It's been outstanding every year,” he said. “People come out and cheer us on. Even on the road we see people coming to road games. The kids love a big crowd.”
In addition to having a strong veteran core, the Colts have had strong contributions already from some of their newcomers. Cale Brown, a 19-year-old defenceman from Olds, had added a steady presence on the blue line. “Cale played with us as a 16-year-old and then went and played for the Olds Grizzlys,” said Galye. “He's retired from Junior A and has decided and come back to play for us.”
Corbin Houchin (Bowden) and Spencer Dowd (Ontario) are two other newcomers on defence.
“We've got a number of new faces on the team and we're proud of that,” said Galye. “It just goes to show that kids want to play for the Mountainview Colts.”
Of the veterans, Galye credited captain Cole Sutherland and forwards Evan Ingram and Colton Anderson among those who have brought tremendous leadership to the squad.
“Our vets, Cole Sutherland has been the captain of the team for the last couple of years,” said Galye. “He really works hard. He's one of those leaders any coach would love to have on his team.”
Other key veterans at the forward position are Tyson Schmidt, Austin Pedersen and Ryan Klinck. “These are kids that have all played with the team for awhile,” he said. “Some have played here for four or five years. There's a dedication on their part to come back. A lot of these guys started when they were 15 or 16 years old. Some of them are heading into their last year.
“A lot of the successes of the past few years are based on those veteran players. That's our core.”
This year the team is hoping to return to provincials and improve on their record. “Last year was the first year in some 20 years that the Mountainview Colts won the north (division) and won the league,” said Galye. “We had a really successful season. It was the first time we'd ever been to provincials so it gave us a taste and desire to want to go back.”
“Our focus is we're going to take it one weekend at a time. We know we have a young team and we have some work to do as far as the coaching staff goes,” said Galye. “We're very proud of what we have and we're looking forward to more success.”
