Cochrane is set to welcome a new hockey team for the upcoming season. The Calgary Chaos has partnered with Cochrane Minor Hockey in an exciting new venture.
The Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) team will be playing out of Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre for the 2016/17 year, and are looking to expand the female game in the area.
“The project was born out of myself and Greg Kozak,” said Derek Loomer, founding partner, vice-president, and head coach of the Chaos. “We’ve both coached girls for a long time and thought about putting together our own team since we have daughters that play in the league.”
The 100 per cent volunteer run organization is the fifth southern Alberta team in the 10-team AJFHL, and by partnering with Cochrane Minor Hockey the group believes it can bridge the gap left by the departure of the Bantam AAA Cochrane team and attract more girls to the sport by giving them mentors and players they can look up to in their own community.
“Initially we were looking at Calgary for ice time, but when Cochrane found out they weren’t having the Bantam team anymore because of the restructuring of the female elite program by Hockey Alberta, it was a good opportunity for both of us,” Loomer said. “We looked at Cochrane as being a real chance to connect with the town and help grow the female game.
“It is our goal to build a successful program that is sustainable and contributes positively to both the community we play in and the league we are a part of. We are very excited about this opportunity.”
The AJFHL has come a long way since it was first established in 2009, and Loomer believes the increased demand for female hockey teams will lead to the league continuing to grow in future years to come as it look to increase its competitiveness and scope.
“When the league first started, they fought to get enough players to fill teams,” Loomer admitted. “Now, the talent pool has grown considerably, so has the interest. There’s a real opportunity to allow these girls to play at a high level for a longer period of time.”
In previous years girls who wished to continue on with competitive hockey after high school didn’t have many options outside of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). With teams like the Chaos they now have another option.
“For some girls the schedule for the CIS is too hectic,” Loomer said. “They still want to play competitively, but they don’t have a couple hours a day to train plus all the travelling time. With our league you practice a couple times a week and play on weekends. So, it’s still quality hockey but less time consuming.”
Those looking for more information on the league can visit www.ajfhl.ca
