Vegreville Rangers Jr. B Hockey Players Peaking at just the Right Time

Vegreville Rangers Jr. B Hockey Players Peaking at just the Right Time

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

As head coach, Malone has many responsibilities, and one of them is preparing his squad for the play-offs.

“We still have quite a few games left in the season and don’t want to look too far ahead. There is still a lot of hard work that we must put in to finish the season as strong as possible. I have been telling the players that with every team making the playoffs, the most important thing is to keep getting better every practice and every game so that we can peak at the right time of year when playoffs start. As of right now we are on the right track.”

Malone says, “The players have done an excellent job adjusting to this level of hockey and the young players are beginning to build up confidence in their game. On Saturday, January 4th we played an away game in Wainwright against the League’s first place Wainwright Bisons. They had not lost a home game in regulation in almost 100 games, the equivalent to almost four years. We ended up winning the game 6 – 4, which was an amazing accomplishment for our team. It was a great example of just how far these players have progressed throughout the first half of the season and what we, as a team, are capable of. I have never been more proud of a group of players that I have coached. It is a very special group.”

Front row left to right: Louise Fernandez, Gage Warrington (asst. coach), Tyler Musgrave, Colin Twitchell (asst. coach), Noah Budinski, Sean Malone (head coach), Brady Dunn, Eric Powley, Jared Steinbach (asst. coach), Zach Micklich (AP). Back row left to right: Cole Twitchell (AP), Brian Roth, Keegan Giroux, Ben Roth, Kolten Melnyk, Nathan Gottselig, Tucker Stefure, Brenden Shapka (AP), Liam Erickson, Nolan Ling, Braeden Watling, Morgan Watling, Brandon Lamash, Josh Micklich, Deven Rewega, Carson Brunet, Max Amero. Missing: Peter Skoreyko (Equip. Manager), Ryan Koenig, Josh Theil, Nate Daku, Luke Hauser, Wazeer Jaber, Owen Baxandall (AP) and Dylan Hennig (AP). (Photo Supplied)

As far as community support from local businesses and fans, Malone says it has been great. “We, as an organization are working extremely hard to engage with the community and put the best on ice product together that we can. We are always looking to improve in all areas to be the best that we can be both on and off the ice. We have been very lucky to be a part of many community events so far this season, which myself and the players have a great time with. It’s nice to get to meet the kids and adults in the community that make up our fan base as we appreciate their support so much.”

Even though the hockey club is in the rebuilding phase, Malone says the players have done an excellent job adjusting to this level of hockey and the young players in particular are beginning to build up confidence in their game. While rebuilding a roster isn’t the easiest thing to do, Malone says you have to find ways to measure success that don not necessarily correlate to wins and losses, but rather consistently improving throughout the season.

Malone also played at the Jr. B level in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan with the Southern Rebels who won the league championship, provincial championship and the Western Canadian Championship. He is definitely putting that experience and his expertise as a hockey consultant to good use. Malone’s company specializes in skills development sessions as well as off season training throughout Western Canada for players of all ages, from minor hockey all the way up to the pro’s.

This past summer he signed a two year contract extension with the Vegreville Rangers, and is doing all he can both on and off the ice to make the team successful.