The St. Albert Merchants are rebuilding instead of reloading for the upcoming season. Up to 16 players and over-agers from the Money Men are moving on to other parts of their life.
The St. Albert Merchants are rebuilding instead of reloading for the upcoming season.
Up to 16 players and over-agers from the Money Men are moving on to other parts of their life.
“This will be a great year for local talent to step into the forefront and lead the team to many more years of strong competition,” said Scott Rodda, head coach of the Challenge Cup pennant winners in 2015 (32-6) and 2014 (34-3-1) in the Capital Junior B Hockey League. “The Merchants have experienced two successful seasons in a row finishing first overall but with so many new faces this year it will be a great challenge for the team to find success.”
Obviously there are many holes to fill in the lineup.
“I have always liked a challenge,” said Rodda, the CJHL's coach of the year in 2014. “There is a strong contingent of local talent that the coaches are excited about and are hopeful it makes for a competitive camp and strong season to follow.”
The Merchants are back in business Aug. 25, when the team's conditioning camp starts at Go Auto Arena. The cost for the three-day session is $50, payable prior to the first skate.
Early registration, including payment and personal health information, will be accepted Thursday, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Merchants' office in Akinsdale Arena.
The main camp registration will also take place that night. The first of six tryout dates is Sept. 1 at Akinsdale.
Exhibition games have been confirmed for Sept. 4, 11 and 13 and the CJHL regular season commences Sept. 18.
The team's regular practice times are Mondays from 9:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Visit www.stalbertmerchants.com for more information on the conditioning and camps.
Last season ended sooner than expected when the Merchants were eliminated in the fifth and deciding game in their quarterfinal series against the Stony Plain Flyers in St. Albert. In the season series, they were 3-1 against the Flyers (23-12-3).
The Merchants were also 17-2 at home in league play before losing all three playoff games at Akinsdale to the host team for the 2015 provincials.
The Merchants skated into the playoffs with nine consecutive wins while going 19-1 in their last 20 games. They also averaged a league-high 5.21 goals per game and were the most penalized team with 1,422 minutes in 38 games.
The previous season the Merchants finished 45-11-1 overall as the Founders Cup playoff finalists and fourth-place finishers at provincials.
ICE CHIPS: The Merchants are seeking team sponsorship for this season. Contact Brian at 780-719-8677 for details.
