The third match-up at the Western Canada Cup for the Portage Terriers will be the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. It was another dominant season for the Bandits en route to their second league title in a row. The defending WCC runners-up are not only looking to win the event, but also have their eyes on the top trophy in Canada, the RBC Cup. They finished the year ranked first in the CJHL top 20 rankings. Brooks was also first in the AJHL during the regular season with a record of 51-5-4, and they dominated the playoffs going 12-1. They outscored Whitecourt in the final 19-4 in 4 games. Success is not new for the Bandits. They have won five league championships and the RBC Cup once in their 17 year existence.

 

Special Teams

Regular season PP – 27% (2nd in league)

Regular season PK – 88% (1st)

Playoff PP – 23% (4th)

Playoff PK – 89% (1st)

 

Players to watch

Tyrell Mappin (5'11” 175lbs) - It was a season to remember for the veteran forward from Big Valley Alberta. He was third in league scoring and first on the Bandits with 90 points in 56 games.

Josh McKechney (6'0” 185lbs) - The 19 year old forward saved his best effort for the playoffs. He lead the league in scoring with 23 points in 13 games, while not taking a single penalty.

Cale Makar (5'10” 175lbs) – The dynamic young defenseman is projected to be drafted early in the upcoming NHL entry draft. According to NHL central scouting he is ranked as the 9th best prospect among North American skaters. He was the top scoring defenseman in the AJHL with 75 points in 54 games.

 

NCAA Committments

Benson, Mitchel - Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA Div. 1)

Chau, Oliver - Massachusetts (NCAA Div. 1)

Foo, Parker - Union (NCAA Div. 1)

Makar, Cale - Massachusetts (NCAA Div. 1)

Marchand, Charlie - Bentley (NCAA Div. 1)

Mappin, Tyrell - Red Deer College (ACAC)

McKechney, Josh - Colgate (NCAA Div. 1)

O'Connor, Joe - Quinnipiac (NCAA Div. 1)

Prkusic, Nick - Robert Morris (NCAA Div. 1)

Vachon, Arnaud - Colgate (NCAA Div. 1)

Wiesblatt, Ocean - Vermont (NCAA Div. 1)

Wiesblatt, Orca - Vermont (NCAA Div. 1)