For many, competitive hockey ends at midget. But for several Olds residents, the Mountainview Colts junior B hockey gave them the chance to keep playing the sport they love, close to home.
"There were a couple of us that tried out for the Grizzlys at a younger age, 15, 16. Once we were kind of done minor hockey, we all decided to go out to Didsbury and play together. It's nice to play with guys you've played with your whole life," said forward Austin Pedersen.
"It's a lot of fun to go to the rink. I guess it's like recess at middle school, hanging out with all your buddies."
Pedersen is one of 10 Olds players on the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) finalist's roster, including Clinton Armitage, Tyson Schmidt, Keaton Perigny, Quintin Thorburn, Chad Jamieson, Colton Anderson, Ryan Klinck, Evan Ingram and Thomas Della Siega.
Grizzlys business manager Joel Hunter coached them all when they were midget AA players in Olds Minor Hockey.
During Hunter's time as coach, the midget AA Mustangs (as they were called back then), captured back-to-back league titles during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
In 2012-13, they also won the midget AA provincial championship.
"I think the most important thing is giving kids a chance to play past midget. It's huge to have a local opportunity for them to play competitive hockey … and to be able to stay home and still work, go to school, do whatever they want to do. A lot of them want to keep playing and a lot of them are really good hockey players," Hunter said.
There are a few differences playing in the HJHL versus the AJHL. The regular season schedule is only 38 games long, compared to 60.
For junior B players in Alberta, the highest level tournament is the Western Canadian Jr. B Championship, where teams vie for the Keystone Cup. There currently is no national championship.
To get there, this Colts team must first win its league championship and qualify for provincials. They will play the Cochrane Generals in the final series.
As an HJHL finalist, the Colts would have already qualified for a spot at provincials. However, because another HJHL team, the Red Deer Vipers is hosting the tournament and automatically gets to play, the Colts must win the league championship to earn their berth.
