From the Bus to the Ice: A Weekend of Growth for KHA
Photo credit: Jefferson Hagen
A short showcase turned into a long stretch of travel as both teams made the quick up-and-back run to Edmonton. A lot of time on the bus tends to reveal how everyone’s really doing, and November has clearly taken a toll — on bodies, on energy, and on focus. Still, both groups showed up ready to compete, and each team came away with important lessons that will shape the months ahead.
The 17U group kept rolling. Their run lately has included big wins, tight comebacks, defended leads, strong goaltending, and a growing understanding that every role matters. This weekend was another reminder that a team succeeds because of the sum of its details. A blocked shot, a hard stop at the blue line, a clean wall battle, a shift finished with purpose… all of it matters. Two days later, the moments that stand out aren’t goals, but the defensive stands that protected each win.
The 18U team continues to feel the pressure of playing in one of the toughest divisions in the country. Their defensive identity is solid and consistent, but scoring chances take real courage. Most of their goals are built from point shots and crease battles, and those plays demand commitment. Layer on the uncertainty that comes with being a graduating player — something anyone who’s coached at this age has seen countless times — and it creates a different kind of challenge. The focus now is steady: trust the process, take care of school, and the rest will unfold as it should.
With December approaching, the 17U group brings great energy into practice and looks forward to another test this weekend against the Rockies. Both teams are setting their sights on winter championships. The season is moving quickly — enjoy the ride while it’s here.
18U RECAPS
Game 1: 5-2 Loss vs. HC Edmonton
Kootenay opened the scoring on a power play and stayed within reach through the first half, but Edmonton controlled most of the game with steady pressure and quick-strike goals. Kootenay generated chances on special teams but struggled to create consistent offense at even strength, and Edmonton sealed the win with a strong third period.
Game 2: 8-2 Loss vs. Bow Valley
After an early Kootenay push that tied the game at 2-2, Bow Valley took over the final forty minutes. A relentless shot volume and a dominant third period created too big a gap for Kootenay to close, turning a competitive start into a lopsided finish.
17U RECAPS
Game 1: 3-1 Win vs. HC Edmonton
Kootenay struck early, relied on sharp goaltending, and leaned heavily on special teams in a game filled with penalties. A power-play goal late in the second restored the lead, and another on a late opportunity secured the win as the penalty kill held strong under heavy pressure.
Game 2: 3-1 Win vs. Wolves HC
After trailing through two periods, Kootenay took control in the third with sustained pressure, a power-play equalizer, and back-to-back goals that turned the game around. A composed finish — despite a chaotic ending — capped off a strong team push in the final frame.
Next Up
The 17U group gets a single showdown this weekend — a rivalry game against the Calgary Rockies that always seems to bring out a little extra from both benches. It’s a great mid-season test and a chance to keep building on the identity they’ve carved out over the past month.
After that, both teams turn their focus to the Bauer Winter Championships back in Edmonton. It’s one of the marquee events on the calendar, the kind of tournament where every shift feels bigger and every detail matters. The travel, the pace, the pressure — it all becomes part of the experience, and part of what pulls a team closer together.
As December rolls in, the goal is simple: arrive connected, stay resilient, and bring your best hockey to the moments that matter most.
