There is a lot of great hockey played around the Edmonton area, and I’m someone who is at a lot of rinks throughout the year. One of my favourite rinks to be at though is the Sherwood Park Arena during the AJHL Playoffs.
One: the AJHL playoffs are fantastic hockey. It’s fast, physical, and features way more skill than a lot of people usually give it credit for. The games are often tight, and it’s a league where anyone can beat anyone.
Two: the Sherwood Park Arena holds around 2500 people and the atmosphere in that rink for the playoffs when it’s usually filled close to capacity, is just outstanding.
The bottom line is that even if you didn’t make it out to the ‘SPA’ for a regular-season game, you should really try to prioritize making it there for one of their playoff games. If you do, consider this your introduction to the team and what the expect at the game:
THE CRUSADERS
Well, the first thing you should know about this team is that for the last few months, they’ve been ranked as the number one team in all of Canada by the CJHL. They’re also the top seed in the entire AJHL thanks to their 49-9-0 record.
They started the year with an eight-game winning streak, and at the end of October, they had a record of 18-1-0. They never really looked back from that hot start and held onto the top spot in the division for the entire regular season.
They didn’t wrap up the top spot in the league until the final game of the regular season when they beat the Whitecourt Wolverines 2-1. In the final month of the season, they had an 8-2 record.
The Crusaders dominated the regular season. When they set a franchise record for wins last season, I don’t think very many people thought they’d be able to do it again the next season but Head Coach Adam Manah, a former AJHL player himself, had this team dialled in from day one of training camp. Manah is joined on the bench by former NHLer and Edmonton Oiler Jeff Woywitka who has over 600 games of professional hockey under his belt.
They did it with a stunning amount of high-end skill. Their top line is the most dominant in the league. The trio of Arjun Atwal, Will Zapernick, and Carter Savoie combined for 294 in a combined 166 regular-season games. Those are the three forwards you’ll want to keep an eye on upfront.
Atwal led the AJHL with 107 points and was the only player in the league to average two points per game. He would finish off his incredible regular season by winning the league’s MVP award. He isn’t NCAA eligible but will have no shortage of Canadian Universities looking to recruit him.
Carter Savoie is eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft and is projected to go somewhere in the second round. He is a St. Albert product and is committed to Denver University for next season. Joining him in Denver will be fellow St. Albert product Michael Benning, the younger brother of Oilers defenseman Matt Benning.
Benning won the AJHL’s Defenseman of the Year and led all d-men in scoring with 75 points in 54 games. He isn’t the biggest defenseman, but you’ll immediately notice his smooth skating and his ability to control the pace of the game when moving the puck out of his end.
Between the pipes, the Crusaders have another stud in Carter Gylander. The only player on the team who has already been drafted by an NHL team, he was taken in the 7th round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He’s a monster between the pipes as well at 6’5 and 180 lbs. He won Goaltender of the Year in the AJHL and combined with backup Jordan Frey to win the Top Team Goaltender Award. Gylander finished the year with a 2.07 GAA, and a 0.924 save percentage.
The team boasts an incredible amount of depth as well. Jarred White anchored the team’s second line for most of the season and finished the year with 65 points in 55 games. He brings a physical bite to their top six and isn’t afraid to take a run at the opposition.
Tanner Fincaryk, Jacob Franczak, and 17-year-old Ty Mueller are some other players you’ll want to keep an eye on upfront. On the back end, Reid Irwin, a Denver University commit, might be one of the most underrated defenders in the league.
If you’re wondering how the Crusaders got this good in such a hurry, look no further than GM Kyle Chase. He took over things in the 2017-18 season, and there haven’t been too many missteps along the way. He’s made a long list of astute trades and recruited a tremendous amount of young talent.
It was all to set up for this season as the Crusaders have a fantastic chance to win their first AJHL Championship. In fact, this is probably the best chance their organization has ever had.
GOING TO THE GAME
If you’re going to check out a game during their playoff run, and I recommend that you do, then let me save you some time and suggest that you get your tickets online HERE!
The team is currently waiting for their first playoff opponent. Since they won the North Division, they got a bye through the first round.
When they do find out their next rounds playoff opponent, you’ll be able to see the schedule HERE!
You’ll be able to skip the long line at the rink on game day. Also, don’t be afraid to go early either. The team’s bar, on the far side of the rink, offers half-price drinks before the anthem! Show up early and get a great spot to watch the game and enjoy some of the best drink prices in the Edmonton area!
My final piece of advice, the parking lot can get very crammed very early. You might be best to park a little way down the road and just take the five-minute walk.
It’s fantastic hockey, and the Crusaders are the best team in the country. It will be a hot ticket come springtime, but it is well worth it.
