With the Brooks Bandits leaving the AJHL to join the BCHL in early 2024, they left a spot for a new power-house to dominate the league, and it looks like it may be the Calgary Canucks.
Calgary ran through the playoffs last year, while only loosing 3 games in the playoffs, with one of those being in the finals against the Whitecourt Wolverines.
All signs are pointing towards that it could be a repeat year for Calgary, finishing top of the league with 78 points, followed with 37 wins in 54 games. Securing home ice throughout the playoffs.
But saying this forward core is “loaded” is an understatement, with half of the AJHL top 12 point scorers being Canucks. The team was led by forward Jack Plandowski, having a hockey “triple crown” leading the AJHL in goals, assists and of course, points. Bowden Singleton had a league leading 1.61 point per game rate. Only playing 38 games, but scoring 61 points.
How about Nolan Dupont? Older brother of WHL sensation Landon Dupont. 18 year old Nolan joined the Canucks this season as a rookie, and had a stellar season, netting 21 goals and 35 assists, totaling for 56 points in only 50 games.
Goaltending was also a key factor into the Canucks fantastic regular season, with both starting goaltenders having over a .900 save percentage. Starter Lukas Renaud finished the year with a .924 and only a 2.23 goals against average. Backup Cruz Chase had a Dustin Wolf like season with 13 wins in 18 starts, and a .910 save percentage.
But no playoff matchup is an easy one. Starting on Friday March 21st, they will start their series verses the Camrose Kodiaks, finishing 5th in the league with 30 wins. The Canucks should not have a problem handling the Kodiaks powerplay, as Camrose is 2nd to last in the whole league on the man advantage, finishing the season with 15.9%. While on the other hand, Calgary has a league leading 89.4% on the kill. It would be a tragic upset if the Canucks fall this early.
Calgary’s biggest challenge will most likely be the north division winners, and runner up’s the Whitecourt Wolverines, who finished the season with 78 points, but one win shy of Calgary with 36. Wolverines had some injury problems throughout the season, with 2 out of their 3 point-per-game players finishing the year with less then 40 games played. Make sure to keep an eye on former QMJHL forward Joey Vetrano, who led the Wolverines in assists (34) in only 39 games played. The Wolverines could very well see themselves back in the finals.
Even if Calgary can be back-to-back AJHL champions, the main goal will be to win the Centennial Cup in May, where they lost last year, in the semi-finals to SJHL team Melfort Mustangs 2-1. The city of Calgary will be hosting the tournament this year, and the Canucks could use the home ice advantage. This is the city’s first time hosting the event since the tournament started back in 1971, the tournament will run from May 8th to the 18th.
Fans at Ken Bracko Arena could not be anymore excited for this years run, as expectations have never been higher for the team.
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