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Wayne Gretzky is now an honourary member of Keyano Huskies athletics. Here he is shown wearing the Huskies official hockey jersey for men's hockey as they approach their inaugural season 2012-1013 in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Huskies to host ACAC hoops and volleyball 2013 
by Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
Keyano College will host its first-ever Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship next February and its second a week later.
The Keyano College Huskies men’s volleyballl team will host the ACAC championships between Feb. 22 and 24 and the men’s basketball team will host conference championships the following weekend, March 1 to 3.
“We just got awarded, it last week, but we’re definitely, because it’s back-to-back, be looking to engage the community and students,” said Michelle Toner, marketing and guest services manager for Keyano’s sport and wellness department.
“Plans will definitely be made to make sure the community will be a part of the championship. Tickets will be accessible, we want everyone to come to the games to support the Huskies.”
Up until this coming season, the conference championships were decided based on the standings at the half-way point of the year, but now they are awarded with a bid process.
“I think it’s a better process because you get a school and a community that’s really focused on putting on a great event,” said Toner.
“You have almost a year’s notice instead of a couple of months notice. It’ll be better for the athletes as well because it should bring a sense of excitement to the whole season.”
While Keyano has not hosted conference championships before, it did host the 2009 men’s national volleyball championships.
The ACAC championships may not be as big in prestige but they will be much larger in scope.
Approximately 120 athletes plus coaching staff and trainers will be coming to Fort McMurray for each conference championship and all games will be played at the CNRL Gymnasium inside the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.
Both teams made appearances in the top 10 rankings of Canadian colleges.
The men’s basketball team finished with a regular season record of 14-6, which was the fourth best in the ACAC.
The men’s volleyball team had an identical record of 14-6 and they finished fourth at provincials which was their best showing so far. But with a guaranteed berth as host team they are looking to finish even higher this year.
“For a program that has been around for 20 or so years and we’ve only really made it to provincials twice, the fact that we can host provincials and be guaranteed a spot means we can focus on provincials and do our very best,” said Huskies men’s volleyball coach Trent Mason.
“We have to give a big hats off to our athletic department who have done a fantastic job for setting us for success. A couple of years ago we got nationals and now hosting provincials, we had to give kudos to them.”
NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky (centre) with Keyano Huskies basketball players Louis Barham (left) and Saleem Farhat (right). For more photos of the One-on-One inaugural fundraiser click here
Photo by Sean McLennan, Keyano College
Gretzky Returns to Fort McMurray 
by Curtis J. Phillips Fort McMurrtay CONNECT
and Keyano Sports Information Officer
It was the early 1980s’, if memory banks serve me right, 1983 to be precise, and the two biggest things in Alberta were bituminous sands production and a young hockey megastar named Wayne Gretzky.
Sport Magazine had just come out with an article on the Great One stating that the Edmonton Oilers notable was a household name in our province. They continued on saying that even in Wandering River, where the highway ended along with any electricity or running water, everyone knew of Gretzky.
Quickly sent a letter to the editor, stamp and all – no such thing as e-mails back then - correcting them. Letting them know that there was this wonderful place called Fort McMurray north of Wandering River.
Yes there was also running water and electricity here and we too knew the name Gretzky.
It may have been the first time the two names – Fort McMurray and Wayne Gretzky – had made it in national print together
Well, finally, after 29 years, hockey’s greatest player has finally come to Fort McMurray.
Last Friday's inaugural One on One Banquet, presented by the Quality Group of Companies and held at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre, was a sensational triumph.
First off it raised tons of funds for the Keyano Huskies athletic program, a program which has grown in leaps and bounds the last few years with basketball and volleyball teams finding rankings on the national scene.
Hockey fans also had the chance to view first-hand a plethora of Gretzky memorabilia and to make some silent auction bids as local collector and good friend Shawn Chaulk brought out what is considered the largest Gretzky collection on this planet. I doubt on Mars that there are bigger Gretzky collectors.
NHL trivia expert Liam Maguire was also in attendance to answer any trick questions.
Waiting for Gretzky's arrival were an eager group of 30 teens - 20 from local youth hockey and 10 from local native hockey - who had just taken part in a dry land training session from Edge School officials as well as staff from Keyano College.
They now sat patiently for 20 minutes waiting for the arrival of Gretzky and company.
Ben Graham a Grade 7 student from Ecole McTavish, was excited to meet the Great One. “He is one of the greatest players who ever lived. It will be awesome.”
Grade 7 Kyal Butz, also from McTavish, thinks it is going to “be cool to meet Gretzky knowing that he is really cool and that he is a hockey legend.”
Also waiting were a bevy of local reporters ready for what was supposed to be a five-minute media scrum.
Gretzky, along with former NHL stars Kelly Chase and Darren Langdon, soon arrived said hi to the kids and posed for some quick photos.
They then walked out leaving the attending media dumfounded.
Gretzky, especially, and Chase and Langdon were heading straight to a VIP section where security made sure that only those with VIP tickets could past the gates.
Coming face-to-face with Chase, we had a quick chat about what sort of life Gretzky has in retirement “To see what he goes through and how he handles it is simply amazing. He keeps busy as he wants to be.”
Gretzky was now busy meeting the VIP crowd. It would be some time.
So I ventured back into field house two to get a glimpse of some of Chaulks
hockey merchandize. Then it was to field house three to chill out a bit and finds my table No. 33.
What a great set up. Time to chill, sit back, sip on a diet coke and watch the final set up in the dining rooms.
A few minutes later, Huskies men’s basketball player Nathan Obrigenwitsch tracks me down. “CJ....Lisa McDonnell said that Wayne Gretzky is ready for you.”
I soon discover that Gretzky had had a five-minute scrum with the rest of the local media of which I had missed out on.
Instead of being thrown to the wolves, many good folks, too many to mention, came to my support and was I was eventually allowed to go One-On-One with Gretzky for a few minutes.
While waiting I looked back down at the dinning tables...each with an ice sculpture be it a Keyano Huskies logo, Huskie logo on a Stanley Cup or a Huskies hockey player.
Mr. Gretzky was now ready. Quick shake of hands and introductions.
"Is there anything in Shawn Chaulk’s collection that you would wish to get back?"
“I love it all. The history of the game is what it is all about and the stuff he has is pretty cool but it is his. I have a lot great items to pass on to my children and grandchildren. What he has done is to go out as a fan and with all this great memorabilia stuff about the Oilers and NHL and he allows the fans get to see it. Although I’d like to have that car back (in jest pertaining to his 1986 Mercedes convertible)."
Asked why it took him 30 years to make the trip north, Gretzky surprised this writer with his response.
“I have been here a couple of times before, In fact a lot of times. I have been here with a couple of former teammates and it was a wonderful town. It’s just that it wasn’t media related.”
Wade Kolmel, Huskies Athletic Director, was pleased with the event which basically lasted nearly six hours. “This will be the first of many hot stove sessions in Fort McMurray and we are looking at installing new initiatives in the future. We are also basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country here at Keyano. All of these are part of Olympic culture. We may look to the next athlete who wants to bring that message to Fort McMurray.”
The main sit down for the players on stage lasted two hours and there was plenty of humor as MC Kelly pulled and prodded with lead-ins to Gretzky, Langdon, Marty McSorley, Dave Semenko and Bryan Trottier.
A couple of zippy one-liners were delivered, “I always tell people if I fall down on a breakaway it’s because I am having a seizure,” said Semenko.
The stage had a great drop back of four large Gretzky banners in which the players sat in front of during the one-one-on hot stove portion.
“It was an unbelievable night,” said Cindy Amerongen, Vice President, External Relations, Keyano College said in a press release.
“The way this has come together has exceeded my wildest expectations,” she effused as Bryan Trottier treated the 600 guests to a rendition of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line”.
“Every single person I talked to said it was the most amazing event that they have ever attended – bar none.”
A whack of money $210,000 was raised from the silent auction and live bids.
Thanks once again to people like Shawn Chaulk and Dale Unruh.
On Chaulk’s e-mails, he usually attaches the same five quotes.
One is quite cute: “I had to wear number 66 as some guy named Wayne took 99"
But the one that really hits home is "Don't sleep through your dreams" for it is people like Chaulk, Unruh, that in my humble opinion are the true Great Ones when it comes to Fort McMurray our home.
But the one that really hits home is "Don't sleep through your dreams" for it is people like Chaulk, Unruh, that in my humble opinion are the true Great Ones when it comes to Fort McMurray our home.
Catch you on the rebound.
Keyano Sports Information Officer Curtis J. Phillips (left) greets the Great One Wayne Gretzky (right)
photo by Greg Halinda
Huskies Dress in Style
by Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
The Keyano College Huskies men’s hockey uniform was unveiled at Friday night’s one-on-banquet.
The home jersey will be white and prominently features the Keyano Huskies logo.
There is a dark blue horizontal stripe at the bottom as well as a stripe on each arm. There is also blue trim around the collar as well as a lace up neck.
“We had thrown around a bunch of different things but we were looking for simplicity because we knew we’d have quite a bit of sponsorship on there with Finning and the Quality Group of Companies already and maybe more,” said Huskies head coach Paul Strand.
“Toronto (Maple Leafs) was the one they really did up really quick and I was floating around Detroit Red Wings from the Winter Classic just to have that simplicity and just change the colours from blue to white.”
Strand added that he also was inspired by the jerseys worn by the Tampa Bay Lightning, which will be more noticeable on the away jerseys, which Strand said will be black.
It was also announced that the Huskies first home game would be October 19 and Strand confirmed the plan is to have the Huskies play their home games at the Casman Centre and practice at the Frank Lacroix Arena.
“The only way we’d play anywhere else is if there is conflict with the AJHL schedule but we’re pretty sure we’ll be able to fit 14-16 home games in there and we’ll figure out with playoffs too,” said Strand.
The Huskies will start their season on the road against NAIT and play Portage in their home opener.”
Photo: Honourary Husky - Wayne Gretzky - Photo by Sean McLennan, Keyano College
\Kids to Meet Great One
by Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
While a few hundred people will get the chance to see Wayne Gretzky at the Keyano one-on-one banquet Friday, a few local youth will get the chance to meet the Great One himself earlier in the day.
As part of a fundraiser for the Edge School Skills Academy and Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association, 20 minor hockey players will get a dryland training session at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre.
The players were all randomly selected and will receive instruction from Edge School officials as well as staff from Keyano College.
“We’re going to be doing a little dryland training session to showcase what ASDC is, what the Edge is, what Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association and what Native hockey are up,” said Paul Strand, sport development manager with the Alberta Sport Development Centre.
“We’ll show some training in front of the Great One and then the kids have a chance to meet Wayne and learn the benefits of training.”
Although the opportunity to meet arguably the greatest hockey player of all time is a big benefit to a budding hockey player, the training session will also introduce some of the youth to the benefits of off-ice training.
“There is certainly going to be an element of kids who have never done that before and never had the opportunity to see it done,” said Strand.
“Hopefully with the combination of this event at the ASDC and the great one being involved with it, it may give them more incentive to see the benefits of it.”
“We’re really excited about Wayne’s participation and it really is a great opportunity.”
Winners of the random draw for the gretzky one on one banquet dryland training session
Kyla kruger
Aaron Comeau
David Warford
Grayson Macmillan
Kobe Reid
Andrew Tanner
Tyler Janes
Ty Cook
Chase Cook
Daniel Brue
Mitchell Fradsham
Braeden Noble
Easton Gauthier
Charlie Maclaren
Kolbi Young
Kyla Butz
Tristan Marlowe
Jackson Epple
Colin Rafferty
Brecon Gregoire
Big Man on Campus
05/01/2012 -They say things are big or bigger in Texas.
Well, things are also big up here in Canada, especially Alberta, where one Dallas Drysdale, a 6-foot-5 defenseman formerly of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, is now a member of the Keyano Huskies men’s hockey team.
“He brings a good size…a big body and a certain element of toughness which you are always looking for on defence,” said Huskies men’s hockey coach Paul Strand of the 22 year-old Drysdale a native of Dauphin, Manitoba who will join the Huskies in their inaugural season of Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference play 2012-2013.
“He is a real tough character who brings leadership and comes to play every night. We will look to that leadership in our first year and he will not be afraid to provide that."
Drysdale played his last two years of Junior A hockey with the Blizzard appearing in 85 regular season games while scoring five goals adding 25 assists and accumulating 121 penalty minutes.
Prior to joining the Blizzard he played from 2007-2010 for his hometown Dauphin Kings, hitting the ice for 113 regular season games with two goals, 27 assist and 210 penalty minutes.
It was with the Kings that Drysdale played in the 2009-2010 Royal Bank Cup finals – symbolic of Junior hockey supremacy in Canada – losing to the Vernon Vipers.
“It was tough as there was a lot of pressure on us as we were the home team (Dauphin Kings hosted) and we had beat them 6-5 in overtime in a previous tournament game,” recalled Drysdale. “In the finals their goalie stood on his head and we lost something like 8-1.”
The following year Drysdale was traded to the Blizzard.
“It was a good fit,” said Drysdale of the move to northern Manitoba. “I figured we had done what we could in Dauphin plus I had a few good friends up there playing and I thought it would be a good experience.”
Last year Drysdale wore the “C” for captain and when asked to describe himself as a player he replied: “I’m a shutdown D man. I have also been described as a guy who will do what it takes to win.”
Originally Drysdale had plans to attend a NCAA Division III team south of the border but felt the ACAC was a better fit.
“I have a couple of pals who have played there (NCAA) and they say the competition is like your top Junior A games or better as the players are stronger and older.
“We realize coming in as a first year team it is going to be tough and that not much will be expected from us from the other teams. There is not a lot of pressure on us with expectations of winning right away.”
Joining Drysdale in the defensive end is former Dauphin Kings sniper Matthew Mcaleenan.
“He is a guy that can bring the puck up the ice and definitely put the puck in the net,” said Strand of the5-foot-11 22 year-old who had 11 goals and 25 assist in 58 MJHL games this past year.
“He showed that he could score when he was in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Olds Grizzlies (2009-2010 with four goals and 19 assists as an 18 year-old).”
Mcaleenan is looking forward to the challenge of playing on a team made from scratch.
“It is going to be challenge no doubtbut you are at the level where guys will mesh quicker and a bit better than say at a younger age. You have really good character guys coming in,” said Macleenan from his home in Calgary.
“It’s a big step forward for all of us and we are all willing and look forward to the task at hand and we are ready to play.”
Dallas Drysdale
Defense
Born Apr 23 1991 -- Dauphin, MAN
Height 6.05 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots R
Born Apr 23 1991 -- Dauphin, MAN
Height 6.05 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots R
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2007-08 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 2008-09 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 58 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 88 | ||||||
| 2009-10 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 53 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 122 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | |
| 2010-11 | OCN Blizzard | MJHL | 45 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 45 | ||||||
| 2011-12 | OCN Blizzard | MJHL | 40 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 76 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | |
Matthew Mcaleenan
Defense
Born Apr 2 1991 -- Calgary, ALTA
Height 5.11 -- Weight 184 -- Shoots R
Born Apr 2 1991 -- Calgary, ALTA
Height 5.11 -- Weight 184 -- Shoots R
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2009-10 | Olds Grizzlys | AJHL | 42 | 4 | 19 | 23 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010-11 | Flin Flon Bombers | SJHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 2010-11 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | ||||||
| 2011-12 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 58 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Three More Signed
04/21/2012 - Keyano Huskies men’s hockey team continue to add pieces to the puzzle with the signing of three more players for their inaugural season in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference this fall.
Committed are defenseman Sam Rockwell and centre Ryon Sookro of the Yorkton Terriers (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) and Calvin Cairns of the Dauphin Kings (Manitoba Junior Hockey League).
Rockwell, a 6-foot-1 210 pound defenseman, played 45 games for the Terriers this year with two goals, five assists and 140 penaltry minutes.
“Sam is our first defeneceman that we signed this year,” said Huskies head coach Paul Strand. “He likes to use the body and doesn’t mind mixing it up. He is very steady and intimidates guys coming into the zone.”
Of Sookro, a 6-foot-2 180 pounder from South Slocan, B.C., Strand says: “He can definitely score (55 games, 20 goals, 16 assists) and he can go out there and give some solid play.”
Of the fact that Sookro was also named Most Sportsmanlike Player for the entire Kootenay International Junior Hockey League in 2010-2011 playing for the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and then this past year was named Terriers Most Sportsmanlike Player, Strand said: “It indicates that he can be a guy who can be respected on the ice and in the dressing room.”
Cairns, who finished the season with eight goals and eight assists with 112 penalty minutes in 58 games, caught Strand’s attention on a recent scouting trip.
“I really noticed this young feisty winger who seemed always to be on the puck and in the play. He can get in the corners and stir up some stuff and go after the puck and that is what we want.”
Calvin Cairns
Right Wing
Born Aug 27 1991 -- Snow Lake, MAN
Height 5.10 -- Weight 185 -- Shoots R
Born Aug 27 1991 -- Snow Lake, MAN
Height 5.10 -- Weight 185 -- Shoots R
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2009-10 | Neepawa Natives | MJHL | 45 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 156 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2010-11 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 53 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 105 | ||||||
| 2011-12 | Dauphin Kings | MJHL | 58 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 112 | ||||||
Sam Rockwell
Defense
Born Nov 8 1991 -- Courtenay, BC
Height 6.01 -- Weight 210 -- Shoots L
Born Nov 8 1991 -- Courtenay, BC
Height 6.01 -- Weight 210 -- Shoots L
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2008-09 | Powell River Kings | BCHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 2009-10 | Powell River Kings | BCHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 2010-11 | Yorkton Terriers | SJHL | 29 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | |
|
2011-12 |
SJHL |
45 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
140 |
|||||||
Ryon Sookro
Center
Born Oct 6 1991 -- South Slocan, BC
Height 6.02 -- Weight 180 -- Shoots L
Born Oct 6 1991 -- South Slocan, BC
Height 6.02 -- Weight 180 -- Shoots L
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2011-12 | Yorkton Terriers | SJHL | 55 | 20 | 16 | 36 | 16 | ||||||
Fort McMurray TODAY page on Three Players Signed
Huskies Awards Banquet
2011-2012
Fustal Men MVP: Santiago Raigoza
Futsal Men Rookie: Luis Fossi
Futsal Women MVP: April Weigelt
Futsal Women Rookie: Ally Granville
Soccer Men MVP: Christian Garces
Soccer Men Rookie: Alex Hopper
XC: Adrienne Killick
Volleyball Women MVP: Tena Brass
Volleyball Women Rookie: Kelsey Bergey
Volleyball Men MVP: Justin Allcock
Volleyball Men Rookie: Michael Archibald
Basketball Women MVP: Nicole Mackenzie
Basketball Men MVP: Zach Waldher
Basketball Men Rookie: Dwayne Couthino
Student Athlete of the Year Male: Matt Hebert
Student Athlete of the Year Female: Jamie Hannigan
Brent Butt Memorial: Louis Barham
Huskies Ambassador: Jonathan Soper
2011-2012
Fustal Men MVP: Santiago Raigoza
Futsal Men Rookie: Luis Fossi
Futsal Women MVP: April Weigelt
Futsal Women Rookie: Ally Granville
Soccer Men MVP: Christian Garces
Soccer Men Rookie: Alex Hopper
XC: Adrienne Killick
Volleyball Women MVP: Tena Brass
Volleyball Women Rookie: Kelsey Bergey
Volleyball Men MVP: Justin Allcock
Volleyball Men Rookie: Michael Archibald
Basketball Women MVP: Nicole Mackenzie
Basketball Men MVP: Zach Waldher
Basketball Men Rookie: Dwayne Couthino
Student Athlete of the Year Male: Matt Hebert
Student Athlete of the Year Female: Jamie Hannigan
Brent Butt Memorial: Louis Barham
Huskies Ambassador: Jonathan Soper
CCAA All Canadian Basketball Zach Waldher
CCAA Academic All Canadian Matt Hebert
ACAC Basketball Player of the Year Zach Waldher
ACAC Men's Futsal Coach of the Year Jon Soper
Congratulations to the 13 Huskies Athletes that made All ACAC Conference
Q & A With New Recruits
04/11/2012 - A quick 30-second Question and Answer session with women’s Huskies volleyball recruits Rebecca Collins and Serena Dixon from Westwood Community High School Trojans and from Fort McMurray Composite High School Miners’ Rhiannon Clark.
Rebecca Collins, 18, setter, Program undecided
You grew up watching the Huskies and now have the opportunity to make the team. What does this mean to you?
“It’s really cool even as a little girl I would come watch them (Huskies) play volleyball and basketball.
“I am really excited to start playing because I love being in Fort McMurray and staying in town. I love the team and coach and it is a good opportunity to get better in volleyball and improve.
“It was a hard decision to come to Keyano as I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do, either stay in town or got out of town. But I am glad I stayed. I will be working hard this year.”
Serena Dixon 18, outside hitter, Bachelor of Arts and Psychology
Why did you choose Keyano and the sport of volleyball?
“I chose volleyball because I love the sport and Keyano will present a new challenge for me and being local it is not as big as a jump. I really like the coach and he is very encouraging and I see potential on the team and I want to be part of it.
Rhiannon Clark, 18, Middle Hitter, Welding
What will it be like when you finally put on a Huskies uniform and coming from next door Composite High you are basically moving only a couple of yards away?
“It will be different… a kind of out of body experience. You grow up watching them and all of a sudden you are playing for them. There is a little more pressure and you have to push harder and more competitive. I will push twice as hard in the hope of making the team.
"Coming from Comp to Keyano It is convenient and very familiar. It is not much of a change but a shift over.
We also had a quick chat with Huskies women’s volleyball coach Sean Seywright about the new recruits.
“It's always a big plus when you can see standouts and community players who have played at the junior high, senior high school and club level and invested that much into the community and then have someone come to our team we can celebrate that they have become part of our family.
“Rhiannon Clark she is a middle hitter that jumps well but she is coming in a bit injured and we will try to get her healthy over the summer. Our expectations are that she will be part of our travel roster.
“Rebecca Collins has a great work ethic and attitude…and all three girls may be missing a bit of playing experience but with all of them working over the summer and staying dedicated they will improve.
“Serena Dixon we will move from middle to an outside hitting position as she has a tremendous vertical which will help with blocking the outside hitters. Like the other two, she is a great kid and she we impacting our lineup right away.
“They all have youth and with youth, you want to force them to earn their spot not for it to just handed out as a freebie. Nothing is a gimme and they will have to work for the part of the 14 been traveling team and then eventually part of the seven starters.”
Fort McMurray TODAY story on the three new recruits
Three Locals Sign
By Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray Today
With a few members of the Keyano College Huskies women’s volleyball moving on, Huskies head coach Sean Seywright has announced three new recruits that will be suiting up on the court for Keyano this coming season.
From Westwood High School Rebecca Collins and Serena Dixon and from Composite High Rhiannon Clark.
“We’ve got three very hardworking, very smart exceptional young women so it was easy to go after and select them to be a part of our family and team,” said Seywright.
“They offer more than just volleyball. They’re good students, good people and they’re going to impact our program on a lot of levels.”
Although the girls will be a bit short on experience, Seywright thinks the trio will upgrade the team’s size and athleticism, which will help the team be competitive next season.
Seywright also thinks each one of the new recruits will challenge for a starting position on the court.
All three girls are excited about what they could bring to the team.
“I’m hoping for a positive attitude and lots of fun and just a good season overall,” said Collins.
“We look up to the older players. So I hope to bring in hard work ethic so I can help them improve and they can help me improve,” said Dixon.
“I bring a pretty good attitude, I look at everything with a go-getter attitude,” said Clark. “I’ve been making gains in vertical jump, so that’s an asset for hitting and blocking.”
The women’s Huskies have already starting working toward next season and are hoping to challenge for a playoff spot
Brady Ready to Brave New Look 
04/05/2012 - Keyano College Huskies announced today the placement as Connor Brady as men’s soccer and futsal coach for the 2012-2013 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season.
Brady, 27, replaces Jonathan Soper who guided the program for seven seasons and is stepping down. Soper was also named as the 2011-2012 ACAC career in high fashion being named the 2012 ACAC Futsal Coach of the Year.
“Jonathan was and is a mentor of mine and a quality person and I will definitely keep in contact with him,” said Brady who played for Soper in futsal wearing Huskies colours in 2005-2006.
Brady was part of the Huskies inaugural ACAC season in soccer playing for Kevin Lockhart in 2002-2003. He would suit up again in 2005-2006 with Tiffany Booth as the head coach.
Brady’s father George Brady was an integral part of the development of youth soccer in the region during the 1990s’ and his father’s passion for the sport is evident when talking to Connor.
“I come from a really soccer orientated family,” said Brady, who is married and has a 16-month old son named Liam. “Being a Brady is being passionate about soccer as it is in our blood. We pretty much eat, breath and sleep it. We grew up with exposure to the game through the coaching and the talented players I grew up with and played with.”
Of his on time playing with the Huskies, Brady recalled: “It wasn’t as much as a team as it was a family. We won asa team and lost as a team. We were the fittest team in the league maybe not the most talented and we had the biggest hearts and we beat down doors to do it. This is the approach we will take here.
“We are also going to go out and try to pick up a few studs. Keyano is a place for athletes to come for a quality education and then a good career. Fort McMurray is a desirable place to live.”
Brady, who owns his own safety consulting company, said “team bonding” will be an important factor.
“We have been talking to a few of the lads and we are going to have some team bonding so we can start to get everyone on the same page. Everything we do will be professional and focused on soccer. I’m excited and ecstatic.”
The Huskies would also like to announce that Huskies women's soccer head coach Ian Diaz has stepped down to pursue other interests.
Huskies Hockey
Huskies Sign Scorer
04/05/2012 - Paul Strand head coach of Keyano College Huskies men’s hockey announced today the signing of Chapen LeBlond.
LeBlond was the top scoring 20 year-old in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League this past season playing for the Winkler Flyers. He was third overall in scoring.
The 6-foot-1 205 pound right winger scored 34 goals and added 43 assists in a 62-game regular season while recording 120 penalty minutes.
Named a MJHL First Team All Star, Leblond, who turns 21 next Tuesday, April 10, is a native of Terrace, British Columbia.
"I am very excited," said Strand of LeBlond. "When you got a guy who can score those kind of points in that kind of league it is obviously a boom for our program.
"When you are that big and mucking in the corner and getting that many points we will be looking for him to be a leader on our power play and even strengths. He brings in a toughness."
LeBlond was also part of the The Terrace Totem Ford Midget Rep hockey team won that won a gold medal at Tier 3 B.C. Provincials in 2009 in a game in which LaBlond had four goals in a 8-0 victory.
YEAR TEAM LEAGUE GAMES GOALS ASSISTS PIM
2011-2012 Winkler Flyers MJHL 62 34 43 120
2010-2011 Winkler Flyers MJHL 60 25 36 84
2009-2010 Winkler Flyers MJHL 36 13 10 64
2009-2010 Cowichan Valley Capitals BCJHL 13 0 1 21
2008-2009 Cowichan Valley CapitalsBCJHL 7 0 0 10
FAST FACTS
Nickname - Chaps
Favourite NHL Team – Vancouver Canucks
Favourite NHL Player – Jerome Iginla
Best Hockey Memory – Winning 2007-08 BC Major Midget Provincial Championships
Hobbies – Baseball and fishing
Career Aspirations – Police Officer
Favourite Movie – Super Troopers
Favourite TV Show – Dexter
Favourite Band/Singer – Lil Wayne
Something you NEED to bring along on a road trip - Ipod
Fort McMurray TODAY story on signing of LaBlond
Building Blocks
by Curtis J. Phillips, Sports Information Officer
This past January Keyano Huskies men’s hockey coach Paul Strand went on a recruitment trip east to the western provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba with a quick trip south to Minnesota in search of young guns.
One of those young guns was ready to make a commitment. A commitment to play for the Huskies in their inaugural year of Alberta College Athletic Conference hockey this fall. His name Justin Remillard of the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Strand could also have found Remillard right on his door step also due to the fact that the 20 year-old is a native of Fort McMurray who developed in the local minor hockey system before having a cup of coffee with his home team Fort McMurray Oil Barons in 2008-2009 with one game in uniform followed by 34 games in 2009-2010 with five goals and eight assists and 52 penalty minutes.
For the 2010-2011 season the 5-foot-6 160 pound left winger split time between the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 10 games, three goals, one assist, 14 penalty minutes and the Winnipeg Blues, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, 36 games, two goals, 10 assist and 50 penalty minutes.
Born Sept. 8, 1991, Remillard currently wears the uniform of the MJHL Dauphin Kings where in 48 games he has recorded 11 goals, 15 assists and 67 minutes in the sin bin.
“He is a small hockey player but he is a sparkplug who is feisty and willing to do whatever it needs for the team to win,” said Strand of Remillard. “He will look for him to provide leadership this fall.
“A lot of people speak highly of Justin and the fact that he is coming here is a bonus.””
In an interview with the Fort McMurray TODAY, Remillard said: “Any time you can further your hockey career in school is a good time, especially being able to participate in its first year is very exciting.”
“I’m the kind of player that has lots of energy. I like to be around the puck. I’m not a big body, but I like to make a difference with my speed and get the puck to the net as much as I can.”
Strand expects “that when all is said and done we will probably have between 12 to 13 players” from his January 12-day road trip to be in Huskies uniform this fall when the puck drops.
A successful scouting scenario which saw Strand, who sports a Stanley Cup ring on his finger from his time as a member of the Carolina Thunder staff, him watching 14 games total in rinks in Battleford, Duluth, Melville, Humboldt, Kindersley, Notre Dame, Saskatoon, Steinbach Weyburn, Winkler and Winnipeg.
Prior to a rediscovering Remillard, Strand had the word and handshake of former Oil Baron and hometown hero Brendan Wright who he met at the Keyano student orientation day last September.
“He knew that we were going to have a (ACAC hockey) team in (2012/2013) and that Keyano had a course that he wanted to enrol in (power engineering),” said Strand of the 6-foot-1 195 pound left wing who played four years with the Oil Barons with totals of: 2007-2008, one game; 2008-2009, 38 games, two goals, five assists, 104 PIM; 2009-2010, 55 games, seven goals, 12 assist and 118 PIM and 2010-2011, 54 games, seven goals, 15 assists and 126 PIM during the regular seasons.
Wright also appeared in 38 playoff games with three goals, nine assist and 64 PIM.
“He wanted to stay here and play here.
“He is an extremely hard worker who can play both forward and defence,” said Strand of Wright who was born March 7, 1990. “He is in extremely good shape and has had the benefit of having being coached by (Oil Barons) Gord Thibodeau the last few years and can now bring that knowledge to the table.”
“Brendan is highly talked about with the local kids and I’m definitely looking for (him) to be a very big leader on the team since ... he’ll be a year older than most of the kids coming in here,” Strand “He’s a good hockey player. I’ve watched him play, and I’ve played against him, and he does like to compete. His 120 minutes a year that he had, he definitely likes to get into the mix, and he’s not afraid of that kind of stuff.”
Strand says that there has been a “consistent stream of interest” from players wanting to play for the Huskies in their inaugural year: “You get a lot of interest from people that want to play but you have to keep up with what will be and is the standard of the (eight-team) ACAC.
“Recruiting is an on-going process that continues this year and past this year. You have to look pass this year. The kids that are coming here want to play. They don’t want to sit in the stands or on the bench. That does not do your program reputation any good.”
Fort McMurray TODAY story on signing of former Oil Barons
HUSKIES ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
By Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
Keyano College announced its athletes of the month for February and March at a news conference at the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre Thursday.
Huskies women’s basketball sophomore Cassandra Gilmore and Huskies men’s volleyball right side Matthew Hebert were athletes of the month for February, while futsal stars April Weigelt and Santiago Raigoza earned the honour for March.
Raigoza was named to the ACAC first all-conference team and was a key contributor to the Huskies finishing third at futsal provincials.
“I had a great season, I was pretty proud of myself that I got all-conference and we got third place even though I think we could’ve done better,” said Raigoza.
“I was surprised (with the honour) because I also had a lot of teammates who did well and helped me out.”
Weigelt also was named a first team all-star. The defender-turned-striker scored six goals in four games at the provincial futsal tournament in Calgary last weekend
.
“It feels good to be recognized for my hard work,” she said.
“It feels good to score and help my other teammates score. I don’t know if I’ll play up front (in soccer), that’s up to (coach) Ian (Diaz), but either way is fine.”
Matthew Hebert had a great month in February, but really he’s been a key contributor to the men’s volleyball team all season. Hebert finished the season in seventh place in the ACAC for kills-per-set, averaging 3.1.
“He’s been Mr. Consistent,” said men’s volleyball assistant coach Keegan Kuhr.
“I’ve seen some improvement in his abilities for sure, especially in his defense and his serving.”
Gilmore recorded 59 points in six games in the month of February and had a season high in free throws made on Feb. 17 against Lakeland College with six.
“It was a good end of the season,” said Gilmore.
“I think I improved as the season went on, I learned more of the game and I was smarter.”
April Weigelt with Mike Connolly
Santiago Raigoza with Mike Connolly
Cassandra Gilmore with Mike Connolly
Keyano Hoops
March 14, 2012 - Keyano Huskies men's basketball player Zach Waldher was named one of 10 ALL CANADIANS tonight at as announced at the 2012 CCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Awards Banquet hosted by NSAC in Truro, N.S.
by Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
Huskies point guard Zach AWaldher has made the cut among the best college players in Canada, being named to the 2012 CCAA men’s basketball All-Canadian team.
Waldher led all college players in the country with a total of 541 points this season. He is the first basketball player from Keyano to make the team and only the second all-Canadian for the college in any sport.
“Not to be arrogant, but I came here to make my mark and I’m going out on top,” said Waldher. “I’m not coming back next year, so I definitely worked hard this year with my last year of eligibility. I wanted to go out with a bang. I knew coming into this league I could do some big things but I never knew it could be this big. Being an all-Canadian is a big honour, I feel so honoured.”
The native of Longview, Wash., was the Huskies leading scorer with more than double the second place on the team, Waldher’s friend Louis Barham. Huskies head coach Mike Connolly said Waldher was a big part of the team’s success this season.
“I think it’s special, it’s our second year in the league and we’ve got the leading scorer in the country and an all-Canadian,” said Connolly. “It just shows that we’re going to be a team that’s going to be competitive and we can bring in quality athletes. It allows us to bring in other quality athletes in the future.”
After a tremendous season in the ACAC, Waldher said his one regret is that the Huskies didn’t make it through to the finals this season, getting eliminated by Red Deer College in the first round. Nevertheless, Alger-Waldher has enjoyed his time with the Huskies and credits the hardwork of his teammates and coaches for helping him find success.
“I’m very excited to set the foundation with future basketball players here at Keyano and hopefully kids can see that I didn’t let my height hold me back,” said Waldher. “I learned a lot in our community and learned a lot as a leader. I owe a lot to my teammates for helping me, I couldn’t have done it without them.”
PLAYOFFS - Keyano Men's Basketball and Men's Volleyball
Huskies End Season
by Curtis J. Phillips, Sports Information Officer
02/25/2012 -Keyano College Huskies men's basketball team lost to the host Red Deer Kings two straight in a best-of-three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference by scores of 73-70 Friday and 80-71 Saturday.
“We played hard and were in a position to win both games but we did not execute and we didn’t have the discipline,” said Huskies head coach Mike Connolly. “We did not move the ball or share the ball. We did not secure the rebounds. We knew they were a good team and they raised the level of intensity.
“We didn’t do what we were supposed to do in order to win. That is my fault as a coach as you have to take responsibility for that.”
GAME 1 Kings 73 Huskies 70
Connolly believes it was “not what they (Red Deer Kings) did right but what we did wrong,” that assisted the hometown Kings to 73-70 win in Game 1 of their best-of-three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference quarter finals opener.
“We were struggling offensively (zero for 10 ...at beginning) and we missed some easy shots,” said Connolly. “Plus you are not going to win when you give up 11 offensive rebounds.
“I know we can shoot better and execute our plays better…we simply did not gut it out. We did not play smart. We have to do a better job in not letting them get positioning closer to the rim.”
The Kings pressured Huskies all conference point guard Zach Waldher from the start with double teams and switches, taking a quick 12-2 lead in the opening minutes with their guards slashing down the middle to dish off to forwards Sarain Soonias or Eric Bakker.
They held that lead most of the way with a 16-12 first quarter and 36-29 advantage at the half.
Huskies centre Jesse Denscombe grabbed a missed Waldher jumper and made a midair swish to tie the game at 49-49. With back-to-back baskets by Waldher, including a three pointer from way downtown, the Huskies were up 58-51 with 6:01 left.
In the next three minutes, three consecutive close-in baskets by Bakker, Soonias and Robert Pierce, followed by a coast-to-coast layup by Lloyd Strickland, brought the home team back 62-61.
The main pick-me-up for the Kings was with 1:02 remaining in regulation when guard Tyler Flaherty faked Waldher into the air and then drained a three pointer at the 24 second shot clock buzzer to make it 67-64.
Down 72-68 with 4.2 seconds, a Waldher missed shot was put back by Denscombe to make it 72-70.
Huskies fouled and in bonus sent the Kings to the free throw line with 1.9 on the clock...73-70.
A Louis Barham throw in was intercepted.
Waldher led the Huskies with 31 points and five assists. Barham had 11 points and Demaine Nelson an amazing 17 rebounds!.
Pierce had 16 points for the Kings.
Both teams shot a dismal 35% from two-point range.
GAME 2 Kings 80 Huskies 71
Keyano Huskies point guard Zach Waldher came out connecting on all cylinders as he hits his first two three pointers and dished off an assist for the Huskies to take a 8-2 lead in the opening 90 seconds.
Kings scored majority of their baskets in the first quarter with inside shots.
Huskies start taking outside shots missing several in a row before a Waldher three cuts the lead for the Kings 18-15.
Waldher has eight points and two assists in quarter missing only one shot. Huskies struggle on outside shooting.
Second Quarter Red Deer 39 Keyano 36
Kings continue to score on layups and inside shots. Huskies have a few turnovers.
A Waldher hard drive to hoop at 2:19 left has Huskies down 35-28. Nineteen seconds later a Waldher alley oop for a Jesse Denscombe slam makes it 35-30. A Waldher three pointer and layup with 4.2 seconds bring the Huskies within 37.35. A Huskies file at buzzer sends Kings to free throw line for a 39-36 halftime lead.
Third Quarter Red Deer 59 Keyano 49
Huskies Lance Wesolowski who had been struggling with outside shot hits three to open quarter. Waldher three ties game at 43-43.
Kings continue to score inside.
Another Wesolowski three ties it at 49-49.
Kings score their seventh consecutive basket in a row from underneath or five-six foot distance 53-49.
Kings score three straight layups 59-49
Fourth Quarter 81- 70
Huskies’ Cam Smith a three to start 4th quarter 59-52.
Three more Kings layups 65-52.
Demaine Nelson tip in on Zach three pointer makes it 65-54. Cam Smith jumped 65-56.
At four minute mark Huskies head coach Mike Connolly calls out to team: “Hustle up let’s go. We have four minutes to get it done.”
Kings Lloyd Strickland hits a three pointer 68-56 followed by a Sarain Soonias layup
Strickland and Jacob Cusumano hit 3 pointers to put game out of reach.
Waldher led the Huskies with 27 points, five assists. Barham had 14 points.
Connolly says the team has a “core group” returning next year.
Keyano Volleyball
Huskies Finish Championships in 4th
02/25/2012 - Keyano Huskies finish 4th in ACAC men's volleyball playoffs losing three straight 22-25, 13-25, 24-26 to defending ACAC champ Briercrest Clippers in Moose Jaw at the FieldHouse earlier today.
In a close game three, the Huskies came back from a five point deficit behind the play of 6-foot-3 right side Matt Hebert to come within one point 22-23. A Clippers timeout was followed by a service out by Huskies’ Tyson Swain 22-24.
In a close game three, the Huskies came back from a five point deficit behind the play of 6-foot-3 right side Matt Hebert to come within one point 22-23. A Clippers timeout was followed by a service out by Huskies’ Tyson Swain 22-24.
Graduating player Mitch Schneider came up with a big time kill to make it 23-24. Hebert than followed with a one-on-one block to tie the game at 24-24.
A net service error by Justin Allcock gave the home team a 25-24 lead and a following kill made it 26-24 for the Saskatchewan team.
Player of the Game for Huskies was Mitch Schneider
Congratulations to head coach Trent Mason and crew. Huskies ended up ranked No. 15 in Canada.
A net service error by Justin Allcock gave the home team a 25-24 lead and a following kill made it 26-24 for the Saskatchewan team.
Player of the Game for Huskies was Mitch Schneider
Congratulations to head coach Trent Mason and crew. Huskies ended up ranked No. 15 in Canada.
Quotes from head coach Trent Mason will be coming later.
Matt Hebert and Justin Allcock each had 10 kills in bronze medal game loss. Alex Phillips had 14 digs. Mitch Schneider had four blocks
Huskies Crowned by Kings in Semi Final
02/24/2012 Keyano Huskies lost to Red Deer Kings RDC 25-10, 26-24, 25-11 in semi final pl;ay at CCAA Men's Volleyball Championships in Moose Jaw tonight. Will play for bronze medal tomorrow at 1 p.m. vs loser of Briercrest Clippers vs Mount Royal Cougars. Comments from Huskies coach Trent Mason.
"We played terrible. We still have a little reflecting to do. We walked out and we played timid. We sat back and they (Red Deer Kings) took total control. The entire first game we were on our heels, quiet and timid. Even in the second game when we were in control 20-15 all of a sudden they became more aggressive and we had to use both of our time outs and we simply lost our confidence…maybe the pressure of a championship semi-final.
“For tomorrow after today it is all mental. We have to go out there and believe in ourselves. It’s going to be a great atmosphere with the hometown team playing but we have to get back to playing aggressive and believing in ourselves.”
Justin Allcock had eight kills for the Huskies. Huskies were out spiked 43-25 and out blocked eight to four.
By the Numbers
02/24/2012 - Keyano Huskies men's volleyball play Red Deer Kings in semi-final ACAC provincials tonight at 6 p.m. at Moose Jaw FieldHouse and hosted by Briercrest Clippers..
Keyano Huskies did not play Red Deer Kings in ACAC regular season play
Huskies regular season record 14 matches won, six matches lost, 47 games won, 31 games lost
Kings regular season record 16 matches won, four matches lost, 53 games won, 31 games lost
BANGO
Huskies: Matt Herbert 239
Kings: Quentin Schmidt 252 kills
IN YOUR FACE
Huskies: Matt Herbert 43
Kings Boston Maris 42 blocks
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
Huskies: Justin Allcock 33 aces
Kings: Tucker Leinweber 18 aces
DIG IT
Huskies: Alex Phillips 239
Kings: Tucker Leinweber 186 digs
Interview with Trent Mason, Huskies men's volleyball coach at 2011/2012 ACAC Championships in Moose Jaw earlier today at 2 p.m.
02/24/2012 - With the Keyano Huskies men’s volleyball team defeating the Lethbridge Kodiaks 25-27, 21-25,25-15, 25-22,10-15 yesterday at the 2011/2012 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championships in Moose Jaw, Sask., history was made as they will now be in the Final 4….a first for the men’s program here in Fort McMurray.
But history can be improved on as tonight at 6 p.m. they play the Red Deer Kings in a semi-final match which may be seen on www.sportscnada.tv. The winner goes to the championships!
Huskies head coach Trent Mason said the team “must be firing on all cylinders” is they wish to spike past Red Deer.
“Although it was our best match of the season (vs Lethbridge) we are not done yet. For Red Deer we will have to come out and play better tonight as we play a better team. We will have to execute better and look forward to the improvement as we step forward.”
Mason says the “lack of respect” has motivated the Huskies.
“We talked about being proud of what we have done this year….proud of what the boys have accomplished. All year we were one of the top teams (in ACAC won/loss standings) yet we were not recognized by the other coaches. Not one school would give us credit.”
With the Briercrest Clippers (No. 8), Lethbridge Kodiaks (No. 12), Mount Royal Cougars (No. 12) and Red Deer Kings (No. 6), it was only in the final week of play that the Huskies cracked the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association rankings with the final No. 15 spot.
Earlier today the Huskies had a tour of the CFB Moose Jaw and saw the famous Snowbirds Demonstration Team in action and later met the pilots.
Hopefully they absorbed what it takes to be a Top Gun as they soar over the Kings tonight.
Huskies Erik Kuhr with huge block to win Game 3 against the Lethbridge Kodiaks earlier today at the 2011/2012 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championships in Moose Jaw. Huskies won 25-27, 21-25,25-15, 25-22,10-15. Semi-final tomorrow 6 p.m. vs Red Deer Kings. Watch on sportscanada.tv No stats of game available at this time.
HUSKIES FIRST SPIKE TO SUCCESS
by Trevor Howlett, Fort McMurray TODAY
The Keyano College Huskies men’s volleyball team are off to a great start in their pursuit of the ACAC Championship in Moose Jaw, Sask.
The Huskies pulled out a five-set victory over the Lethbridge College Kodiaks Thursday afternoon to earn a trip to the semi-finals tonight against the Red Deer College Kings.
“It was an up and down affair. We came out winning the first two games and the next two Lethbridge really stepped up their game and played the way we expected,” said coach Trent Mason.
“In the fifth set, we were the better team and we came away with a huge victory.
While Justin Allcock earned player of the game for the Huskies, Mason said it was a true team victory.
“I could name every single one of our guys, from our libero Alex Phillips to Tyson Swain our centre and Erik Kuhr our second left-side stepped up and won some big points but it was a good game for just about everyone,” said Mason.
While the Lethbridge matchup went down to the wire, Mason was happy with the way his team played and hopes they can continue that kind of performance against Red Deer tonight.
“Tomorrow it’s all about execution — play a good team game and really we want them to be the same,” said Mason.
“Today they played their best game of the year and tomorrow we expect they’ll play even better.”
The Huskies will played Red Deer at 6 p.m. Watch on www.sportscanada.tv
Huskies regular season record 14 matches won, six matches lost, 47 games won, 31 games lost
Kodiaks regular season record 13 matches won, seven matches lost, 48 games won, 33 games lost
Top Kills
Huskies: Matt Herbert 239; Justin Allcock 219
Kodiaks: Nic Dubinsky 245, Jose Mendoza , 159
Top Blocks
Huskies: Matt Herbert 43
Kodiaks Tom Lyon 55
Top Digs
Huskies: Alex Phillips 239, Justin Allcock 153
Kodiaks: Vitor Macedo 166
2011/2012 ACAC Schedule
Responses from Huskies third-year setter Tyson Swain for same questionairre in previous post pertaining to ACAC 2011/2012 Mens' Volleyball Championships which start tomorrow
#1) In order to beat lethbridge the opening round we will need to play as a team. We all need to be communicating well and be playing our best volleyball.
#2) I'd like to play Red Deer in the second match. I’m from outside Red Deer (Leslieville, Alberta) and used to play club volleyball for the kings program. As well I have some friends that still play for red deer so I feel as though it would be a good match. They are ranked first right now and feel that we could upset them and move on to the final.
#3) To get to the finals all the players and coaches will need to be on the same page. We need to execute our game plan for each game as well as play as a team. If we take care of business on our side we will be able to make to the final and win. Communication will be huge this weekend as we are playing in a new gym. The crowd is very close to the court and it is expected to be a large crowd as well."
#1) In order to beat lethbridge the opening round we will need to play as a team. We all need to be communicating well and be playing our best volleyball.
#2) I'd like to play Red Deer in the second match. I’m from outside Red Deer (Leslieville, Alberta) and used to play club volleyball for the kings program. As well I have some friends that still play for red deer so I feel as though it would be a good match. They are ranked first right now and feel that we could upset them and move on to the final.
#3) To get to the finals all the players and coaches will need to be on the same page. We need to execute our game plan for each game as well as play as a team. If we take care of business on our side we will be able to make to the final and win. Communication will be huge this weekend as we are playing in a new gym. The crowd is very close to the court and it is expected to be a large crowd as well."
H
Keyano Futsal
by Trevor Howlett Fort McMurray TODAY
The Keyano College Huskies futsal teams ended their seasons on the weekend bringing home ACAC bronze in men’s and women’s futsal at the championship tournament at Mount Royal University.
After falling 4-1 to Mount Royal University — the host team and eventual winners — the men’s Huskies went to the bronze medal game against the Olds Broncos where they pulled out a 3-2 win after outscoring Olds 5-4 in penalties.
Considering the Huskies hit many crossbars and posts in their game against MRU, the tournament could have gone to any team.
“I’m happy with our performance down there, the whole tournament was pretty tight,” said men’s coach Jonathan Soper.
“Anyone could’ve won the gold in my opinion. In the last game we scored with a minute left in the game to tie it and we get the bronze, another tight game.”
Mohamed Zekaria scored the winning penalty kick, coming off the bench to seal the win. The Huskies had a short bench with only nine players, but strong performances from goalkeeper Luis Fossi and forward Santiago Raigoza helped drive the Huskies.
Both Fossi and Raigoza were named conference all-stars prior to the final tournament, but Raigoza — despite his strong play — had to play the final tournament nursing an injury.
“He had a strained knee, so he gave us all he could do,” said Soper. “We were short players and the best player in the league had an injured knee and he struggled through it the whole tournament.”
Soper should have most of his players returning next season and describes their chances of repeating on the podium as “very good.”
The women’s Huskies also came out with bronze, but were a bit more disappointed with the outcome.
“At the end of the day, we need more bodies and a little bit more experience,” said Huskies women’s coach Ian Diaz. “I think we could’ve done better if we had a few more girls.”
Diaz had only eight players to use in total, which means seven players up front and one goalie. The women’s Huskies also needed penalties to earn third place, defeating the Ambrose Lions 2-1 after winning 4-3 on penalties.
Ally Granville scored the game winner in the shootout. April Weigelt led the Huskies in goals scoring six in four games.
“The tournament was alright and leading up to it was good. The girls felt comfortable with what we were working, the things we implemented at practice and they bought into the system,” said Diaz.
“We missed a player with some issues at school and we adjusted. We could’ve done better, but you always get these little glitches that happen as you go. Sometimes you can deal with it and sometimes you can’t.”
Diaz expects he’ll have almost an entirely new team next year, but hopes they can be just as competitive and possibly surpass this season’s results
ACAC Brozne Medals for Huskies Futsal
Keyano Huskies men's futsal team defeated Olds Broncos 3-2 after winning the penalty kicks 5-4.
Keyano Huskies women's futsal team defeated Ambrose Lions 2-1 after winning the penalty kicks 4-3.
Scorers: vs, Medicine Hat, Rebecca Gerrits 1, April Weigelt 2; vs. Mount Royal,
Tamara Wilson 1, Weigelt 2, Brittany Buist 1; vs. Ambrose, Weigelt 1, Jamie Hannigan 1
Tamara Wilson 1, Weigelt 2, Brittany Buist 1; vs. Ambrose, Weigelt 1, Jamie Hannigan 1
For bronze medal 1-1 Weigelt 1. Shoot out won 4-goals Weigelt, Hannigan, Buist and Ally Granville.
Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference games were played in Medicine Hat from March 10-11, 2012
F
Huskies Hockey
Gretzky coming to town!
by Curtis J. Phillips, Fort McMurray CONNECT
02/01/2012 - Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Wayne Gretzky.
Yes. You read it right.
The greatest hockey player of all time, is coming to Fort McMurray May 11, for Keyano College’s inaugural One on One Banquet, which will be an annual fundraising event in support of the Huskies Athletic Endowment and Keyano Huskies programs.
Presented by Quality Group of Companies, the hot stove discussion format event, limited to 550 tickets, was the brainchild of Gretzky memorabilia collector Shawn Chaulk.
“(The idea) started off with the Gretzky dinner in September (23, 2011),” said the long-time resident, in regards to the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton’s inaugural fundraiser entitled The Legends Experience, which featured Gretzky.
It was there that Chaulk, recognized for having the world’s largest collection of Gretzky memorabilia, displayed some of his favourite Gretzky items, including the jersey Gretzky wore when he scored his 500th goal.
During a private autograph signing session with Gretzky that weekend, Chaulk had a conversation with the hockey legend in regards to life in Fort McMurray.
“Wayne started asking questions about Fort McMurray and he knew a lot about Fort McMurray,” recalls Chaulk, who has met Gretzky countless times. “Then I started thinking, ‘If Edmonton can do something like this…there is no reason in the world why we could not support such an event.’” read more
Hockey Arena A Possibility read more
Check us out on FACEBOOK for 1,000s of photos by Erwin Kuhr
All Keyano Huskies home games may be seen live on SportsCanada TV. Play-by-play provided by Sports Information Officer Curtis J. Phillips. Phillips has been covering the Huskies since their inception 26 years ago.
