The Bisons are looking forward to speed and size buoying another run to a championship.
The three-time defending and 14-time Heritage Junior Hockey League champions kick off the regular season this weekend with a veteran-laden lineup bolstered in a number of key areas.
“Our speed has been elevated a little bit, we’ve got quicker and with our physicality,” said Bisons head coach Brad Cobb. “We’re a little tougher and stronger up front with some heavier bodies that are quick and can finish hits.
“I really like what we have up front and the balance of four lines that can all play and you can’t tell who the top line is. That’s going to make it tough for opposing coaches to figure out who you go out against.”
Okotoks, the reigning provincial champion, is looking for the second four-peat in franchise history, having accomplished the feat during the dynastic 2011-14 era.
This year’s Bisons will feature 13 returning players, four on defence in Caden Scott, Avery Greig, Hunter Cobb and Trevor Bonham, along with nine in the forward ranks including fourth-year players Jake Snashall and Adam Kirkpatrick.
It’s a clean slate on the last line of defence with Okotokian Dylan Walker and Calgary’s Nicholas Smith, both experienced at the Junior B level in other leagues, forming the tandem.
“It’s going to be a bit of a flip maybe from years past,” Cobb said. “I think it’s going to be the other way around where our forwards push the play and our D is going to be nice and steady and good.”
Okotoks dropped a 4-3 decision to the Strathmore Agra Risk Wheatland Kings on Friday in the Murray Arena in what was its only game of the exhibition season.
“We saw some really good things tonight,” Cobb said. “We had a lot of our returning guys sitting and it was a positive at the end of the day, we out-shot them 40-25, and I liked what I saw out there.
“We’ve had a really fast camp this year, the pace has been really quick, quicker than last year. We’ve all been really happy with the focus, especially the returning guys and what they want to accomplish.”
The puck drops on the 2024-25 HJHL regular season on Friday, Sept. 20 with Okotoks hosting the High River Flyers in the home opener at the Murray Arena at 8 p.m.
Adding to the rivalry this year, upwards of five former Flyers have joined the Bisons this season.
“What better way to start the year than the up the road rivalry?” the coach added. “I’m sure there’s going to be lot of excitement that night.
“Our team, we always see the best of every team that comes in here. It’s going to be a good Friday night game.”
Okotoks plays Medicine Hat the following night at home to complete the opening weekend homestand, an 8:30 p.m. start at the Murray Arena on Sept. 21.
For more information, go to okotoksbisons.com.
