Where Are They Now?

AMHA Players: Where are they now?

BY JACEY CONWAY

MACKENZIE EBEL

MacKenzie Ebel is a well-known hockey athlete at Princeton University and it was her humble beginnings in the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) that launched her hockey career.

Ebel began playing hockey at age five in Airdrie and played for seven years before moving on to the Rocky Mountain Raiders Female Bantam AAA, based in Cochrane, Alta.

After two years on the AAA team she moved to southern Alberta to play for the Warner Warriors in the Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL) for her three years of midget.

After graduation, Ebel continued to play hockey for two

years at a prep school in Kent, Connecticut, and prepared herself for Ivy League school consideration.

While at Kent, she committed to play for Princeton University, a Division 1 program in the NCAA.

“Looking back, playing in Airdrie is where it all started for me,” says Ebel.

It took a lot of hard work and commitment to be where she is but Ebel encourages aspiring hockey athletes to continue working hard to make it to the next level, especially young girls. “It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.” Ebel graduates in June with a degree in psychology and has future plans to become a clinical psychologist.

DUSTIN TAYLOR

Dustin Taylor played for the CFR Chemicals Midget AAA Bisons from 2007- 2008 and 10 years later returned as associate coach.

In 2018, he took over as head coach and has been there since.

As head coach, Taylor has been able to further shape young hockey players who started their hockey career the same way he did.

In his position, Taylor is looking to build on the strong cultural foundation that is already established in the Bison program and create even more success on the ice.

Since his involvement with the team Taylor has seen 25 players graduate to junior hockey, two of which have received NCAA Division 1 Scholarships.

“Bison athletes have a specific identity when they leave this program,” says Taylor.

“One that emulates integrity, enthusiasm, perfect effort and competitive excellence.”

KURTIS CHAPMAN

Kurtis Chapman played for the CFR Chemicals Midget AAA Bisons in the 2015-2016 season and then continued on to travel across Western Canada playing for various Junior A teams and a WHL team.

Chapman was traded several times during his junior hockey career and played for different teams, including the Olds Grizzlys, Estevan Bruins, Portage Terriers, Regina Pats, Kootenay Ice and Calgary Mustangs.

He was then traded to the Victoria Grizzlies where he was able to finish his time as a junior.

“I know a lot of players who didn’t know what to think when they got traded,” says Chapman.

“I see it as an opportunity to see new people and make new friends.”

Chapman, who is currently attending Mount Royal University, is casually a part of the MRU hockey team, the Cougars.

He is signed to begin playing for the SAIT Trojans in September, while he takes Instrumentation Engineering and Technology.

“It is amazing where hockey will take you,” says Chapman.

“I am grateful for the team players, coaches and lifelong friends I have made.”

CAYDE AUGUSTINE

Cayde Augustine played for the CFR Chemicals Midget AAA Bisons for two seasons, starting in Strathmore and moving with the team to Airdrie in 2017.

After his final season with the Bisons, Augustine moved up to the Western Hockey League (WHL) and played for the Kelowna Rockets, then was later traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

He finished off his most recent season with the Warriors, but still looks back fondly on his time with the Bisons.

“Being a part of the Bisons helped build my character to move on to the next level of the game,” says Augustine.

After his WHL career, Augustine would like to advance to the next level and become a professional, either in Europe or the NHL.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be a professional hockey player and I want to see that through,” he says.