ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking with Canmore Eagles Head Coach/GM Andrew Milne. How are you doing today?

ANDREW MILNE: I’m really excited today, Rob. It’s been a long time coming but we’re extremely excited to get back to playing some hockey.

RM: It seems like forever since we’ve done one of these. The Canmore Eagles home opener is on the schedule for this Saturday night against the Calgary Canucks. With all the new restrictions that came in with the Alberta government this week, is this still a go?

AM: Yeah, absolutely. The 20th is a bigger date and we’ve been given the green light to operate this weekend. Everybody coming to the Rec Centre is still going to have to wear a mask and we’re going to have to have social distancing. Our plan going into the 20th – we’re get some more information from the league today, but that’ll be just the requirement that you’ll have to be vaccinated to get into the facility. I’m assuming that’s going to be the plan from the AJHL and working with the Town of Canmore.

RM: Who are some of the veterans back in the lineup that a you’re really excited about?

AM: I’m excited for the backend core. Cale Lyons, Zach Cunningham, and Drae Gardiner are three 20-year-old defenseman that are veteran guys who have been in the league a while and are looking to have big years. I think last year everybody would call it a writeoff, so this whole group is looking forward to playing hockey again. It’s exciting because we have a lot of unknowns but that allows guys opportunities. Right now we’re looking for the veterans to step up and take what experience they have to guide the guys that haven’t played a whole lot.

RM: Who are some of the new players to the team that we should be watching?

AM: We have a 19-year-old defenseman Boris Protsenko, he’s a big guy. He’s going to be noticeable right away at 6’5”. Brayden Plaschewsky is a guy we got from Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League that got a lot of experience there. He put up massive numbers at a young age, so he’s going to be really fun to watch for the fans. I think the fans are going to be excited to watch Andreai Proctor-Ramirez, our goaltender. He is a little guy but he battles like nobody I’ve ever seen when it comes to competition.

RM: I was doing player profile interviews with the guys this week, and there was a common theme when I asked “Why do you like playing in Canmore?” Pretty much all of them said it’s more than just a team, it’s a family. There just seems to be a really special atmosphere in the dressing room right now. Do you share that?

AM: Absolutely. Last year we had a really tough time and it was hard on everybody, including myself. I think the idea that we all stuck together, the idea that we all support one another, and the idea that we’re a group that understands, during tough times, it’s easier for everybody to stick together…I like that about our team. I think you’re seeing that this year. Everyone’s come back with a great attitude, excited to be back with the players, and excited to play hockey again. I think our group is definitely as tight as I’ve seen in a lot of years, and that’s because of the quality of the individuals we have.

The Canmore Eagles open the regular season tonight in Olds, and play their home opener Saturday at 7 PM at the Rec Centre.

Filed under: AJHL, Canmore, Canmore Eagles