Kings Hockey 2021/2022 Season Preview
2019/2020 Season Review (Absence of competition in 2020/2021 due to COVID-19)
When the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey team last competed in conference play, it was February 29, 2020. The squad (20W-6L-2OTL-0T) wrapped up second spot in the standings and was prepared to compete in the semi-finals until COVID-19 shutdown the remainder of the postseason.
2019/2020 Awards
Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Hockey Second All-Conference Team – Chase Thudium (forward)
2020/2021 Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Awards (Even though there was no formal competition last season, RDP Athletics celebrated academic achievements, leadership, and community involvement)
President's List – Student-athletes who achieved a 3.7 GPA or higher, with a minimum of 15 credits in Fall 2020 Term – Erik Miller, Chase Stephenson
Dean's List – Student-athletes who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher, with a minimum of 9 credits in Fall 2020 Term – Trevor Costello, Austin Hunter, Carter Wolski
Podgorenko (3)
Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year – Tyler Podgorenko
2021/2022 Season Preview
Head Coach – Trevor Keeper
Under Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey Head Coach Trevor Keeper, the men's hockey program has evolved into an elite one in the ACAC and many hockey pundits felt that the Kings had a legitimate shot at the championship in the halted 2019/2020 season.
"For the past three years, we've been sitting at the top of the league with NAIT and MacEwan, and two years ago we finished ahead of MacEwan and received the bye to the semi-finals but never had the chance to play a playoff game," said Keeper. "In 2019/2020, I thought we had the team that could have won our league."
With a retooled roster of nine returning student-athletes and 16 new players, the goal of regaining that championship form is on the team's radar.
"There's no question we want to win our league. That's our expectation and everyone here wants to win. I can see it," explained Keeper, an ACAC Men's and Women's Hockey Coach of the Year. "They are a tight group that way. They are here for a purpose - to go to school but they also want to be on a championship team. We want to work hard and take one game at a time."
Assistant Coaches – Terry Welch, Trevor Costello
Returning players from 2019/2020
Keeper has the luxury of having two experienced goaltenders returning to the team for the condensed 16 game regular season. Fourth-year Nathan Alalouf, a former member of the Estevan Bruins, recorded a 2.63 goals against average and 0.906 save percentage over eight games with the Kings in 2019/2020. Third-year Arik Weersink, a Bachelor of Business Administration General Management student, had 12 wins in net, compiling a 2.95 goals against average and 0.899 save percentage over 20 games that same season.
Back on defence are Weyburn's Donovan Lumb and Nelson's Tyler Podgorenko, who was selected as the 2020/2021 Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year at the Polytechnic.
"Ty Podgorenko is our captain and he learned from previous captains and leaders on our team over the past couple of years," said Keeper of the talented defenceman who recorded 27 points in 27 games in 2019/2020. "I felt he was ready to step up. He takes a lot of initiative off the ice, as well. That's really important."
Forwards Chance Longjohn (13 points), Regan Doig (5 points), Ryley Smith (18 points), Kyle Salaway (18 points) and Mathieu Lapointe (17 points) are back on the roster from the 2019/2020 squad.
"We don't have a lot of veterans compared to other years. There was a lot of turnover with the COVID-19 year, but we have a group of guys who are in their third and fourth year like Kyle Salaway, Mat Lapointe, Chance Longjohn, Donovan Lumb, and Arik Weersink," explained Keeper. "That leadership group is important. They've already made their mark on the first and second year guys."
New players in 2021/2022
For the 2021/2022 season, Keeper has added goaltender Kristian Lyon, a former member of the Battlefords North Stars, and defencemen Layne Toder (Calgary Hitmen), Ty Ettinger (Sherwood Park Crusaders), Konrad Belcourt (Fort McMurray Oil Barons), and Brennan Davis (Camrose Kodiaks).
Joining the Kings' forward ranks are Cruz Cote (Cowichan Valley Capitals), six-foot-three Hayden Clayton (Flin Flon Bombers), Jaxon Steele (Battlefords North Stars), Chase Haygarth (Flin Flon Bombers), Easton Haygarth (Flin Flon Bombers), Eric Sorensen (Kindersley Klippers), Jacob Kendall (Sherwood Park Crusaders), six-foot-three Chase Stephenson (Lloydminster Bobcats), six-foot-four Sean Michalevich (Kindersley Klippers), Erik Miller (Camrose Kodiaks), and Tucker Scantlebury (Lakehead University).
"All of our players have speed and play at a high pace, but we have guys who are feisty and gritty, and are good defensively," said Keeper. "We also have guys who are skilled and are more offensive players."
Miller recorded 69 points in 56 games for the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) two years ago. He also has experience in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers. In 2019/2020, Steele had 25 points in 24 games for the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). Chase Haygarth stacked up 54 points in 56 games and Easton Haygarth accumulated 53 points over 56 games for the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL.
"With recruiting, you are trying to get the most talented players you can, but at the same time you are trying to follow a blueprint. We try to give everyone a role that suits their skillset," said Keeper. "As long as the player knows their role and you give them opportunities, they are more than willing to do that."
Non-conference games in 2021
The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings participated in seven exhibition games, including two games against the University of Alberta Golden Bears (1-4 and 3-6) and a pair of contests against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (4-7 and 3-5) of U Sports.
"We've worked hard where we've got to the point where good U Sports teams want to play us in preseason. It started off with our series against the University of Lethbridge. The last time we played them, we swept them both games," said Keeper. "Then U of C played us, and now U of A and U of S. All three of those teams are ranked right at the top of the country in U Sports."
Despite not picking up a win against the Golden Bears or Huskies, the Kings were competitive, challenging themselves against opponents of a higher league.
"I thought we competed very hard against the Golden Bears and the Huskies. We were right in those games. They have some higher end talent," said Keeper. "On both teams they have guys who have played pro hockey – American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League."
From those games against U Sports teams, there were several learning opportunities.
"We learned what it takes to compete at that level. You can't have any lapses," said Keeper. "Against the U of S, I think we were tied going into both second periods and then within five minutes they got a couple quick ones."
ACAC 2021/2022 Men's Hockey season
On Friday, November 12, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings will start the 2021/2022 season against the visiting Briercrest College Clippers at 7 pm.
"I'm really happy with how the players are molding together," said Keeper. "We have a very fast team that plays at a high pace and I'm hoping we get some fans out to watch our product."
For more information about Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Hockey tickets, please visit the online ticketing page.
Not returning from 2019/2020
Chase Thudium, Dylan Thudium, Carter Wolski, Jantzen Leslie, Jake Wozney, Trevor Costello, Austin Hunter, Scott Ferguson, Lynnden Pastachak, Anthony Neurauter, Tyrell Mappin, Ross Heidt