POLAR KINGS ATHLETIC HOCKEY CLUB HISTORY
The Polar
Kings Athletic Hockey Club was formed in 1993 to provide young talented and
dedicated hockey players in rural Alberta the opportunity to play a higher
caliber of hockey.
The Club began the 1993-94 season with a Peewee team that played out
of Dewberry, Alberta. The inaugural season consisted of exhibition games,
Provincial and tournament play while awaiting approval to join the Peewee AA
Hockey League. A successful season ended with the team crowned Provincial Peewee
AA Silver Medalist. There were many obstacles that season that could have
prevented the team from continuing however with solid leadership, a lot of
determination and hard work on the part of many people involved the Polar Kings
Athletic Hockey Club tradition carries on to date.
In 1994-95 the club was not able to ice a Peewee team however both Bantam and Midget teams were initiated. The Club relocated to Paradise Valley, Alberta - their home rink for the next four seasons. The Bantams placed second over all after regular season play and finished second in League finals. That season five players were selected to play on the AAHA Mac Alberta Cup Zone team: Scott Pratt, Matt Miller, James Willis, Chris Dallyn and Blair Mailer. Two players were drafted into the Western Hockey league -Matt Miller with the Saskatoon Blades and Blair Mailer with the Portland Winter Hawks. Many of the Polar Kings players were affiliated with Junior A hockey teams that same season.
In the 1995-96 season the club experienced continued success. The Midget
team won the AA League Championship as well as being crowned the Zone 2
Provincial Midget AA Champions. The Bantam team finished second overall in the
Bantam AA League and first year player Mark Woywitka was listed with the Red
Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. Dallas Marchand and Gary Heck were
selected for the second year of the Mac Alberta Cup tryouts.
Changes were in the wind for the 1996-97 hockey season of the Polar Kings Athletic Hockey Club. Wainwright, Alberta welcomed the club to their rink as the new home of the Polar Kings. As well, for the first time since the inaugural season, a Peewee team became a welcome addition to the Club. The Midgets remained in Paradise Valley for one last season. This season the Bantam team was crowned the Zone 2 Bantam Provincial AAA Champions. Midget highlights included placing second to the Lloydminster Blazers in the league finals and bringing home the Championship title from the Murray McKee AAA tournament in Saskatoon. Again many Kings players were extended invitations to Junior Camps.
The 1997-98 hockey season proved triumphant for the Polar Kings Hockey
Club. The Peewee team played in the East Central AA Peewee League consisting of
8 teams. The Peewee's placed 1st after regular season play and
successfully challenged for the East Central AA Peewee League Championship.
Three players placed in the top ten of the scoring race: Kyle McBride, Tyler
Grover and Jordie Patten. The Kings goaltenders, David Thompson and Dwayne
Lingley, finished the season as the leagues top 2 goaltenders. The Bantams
played in the Central Alberta AA League, competing against 4 teams and placed 2nd
after regular season play. Jay Pullen won the league-scoring race while Justin
Mills, Riley O'Hare, Cam Doull and Kelly Sayer all finished in the top 10. The
Red Deer Rebels of the WHL drafted Bantam player Jeff Woywitka. In April both
the Peewee and Bantam teams were crowned champions at the AAA Murray McKee
tournament held in Saskatoon, Sask. The Midget team, competing in the 8-team
Rural Alberta Major AAA League, finished 4th after regular season
play with Ryan Waddell and Brent McMann both finishing in the top ten of the
scoring. The leagues were very competitive and all our teams proved to be a
force. Once again many of these players attended Junior "A" camps in the spring.
The season of 1998-99 was a very successful season for the club. The
Peewee team, coached by Sheldon Welsh and Gary Phillips, placed fifth after
regular season play in the East Central Peewee AA Hockey League. Players placing
in the top 25 Leading Scorers included Chad Chapman, Blair Smith, and Josh
Miller. The Bantam team, coached by Darrin Newell and Dave Walstrom, were
crowned the Central Alberta Bantam AA League Champions. Greg Poulin was awarded
the Top Scoring Leader of the CABHL, Kurt Caron placed second and Ryan Yarmuch
placed third. Six Bantam team members placed in the top 25. Goaltender, Dwayne
Lingley, earned the MVP award in the CABHL Playoffs. The Midgets, coached by
Vern Skinner, Neil Williams and Barry Koroluk were also crowned League Champions
of the Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League. There were four Midget players
who placed in the top 25 scoring leaders: Brent McMann, Ryan Waddell, Cam Doull
and Jay Pullen. The Polar Kings were well represented by players and coaching
staff in the RAMMHL All Star game - leading the East All Stars to victory. Many
Bantam and Midget Polar King players attended both WHL and Junior A Spring and
Fall Camps.
The 1999-2000 season of the Polar Kings Athletic Hockey Club began with their annual Conditioning Camp for the Peewee, Bantam and Midget divisions. Team tryouts began mid September and carried on throughout the Fall Evaluation Tournaments. Unfortunately, the PeeWee team was disbanded due to difficulties encountered with the East Central AA Peewee Hockey League. The Bantam and Midget Polar King tradition did carry on with teams proving again to be strong competitors in their leagues. The Bantam team played in the Central Alberta AA Bantam Hockey League consisting of opposing teams from St. Paul, Lloydminster, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray. To mark the end of regular season play the Polar Kings placed second behind the Lloydminster Nelson Lumber Blazers. Darryl Lambert, Dustin McMann and Blair Smith all placed in the top of the scoring followed by a number of Polar King players close behind. The Bantams defeated Cold Lake, 2 games to 1, in semi-final action - advancing them to the Championship berth against the Lloydminster Blazers. A full five-game final series was played before Lloydminster was able to claim the League Championship title.
The Polar Kings Midget team again competed in the eight-team Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League. The Kings finished the season in second place in the East division with 28 points. Jay Pullen completed the season tied for the top-scoring leader followed by Ryan Yarmuch in third and Dan Day in 6th place. Team members Chad Marchand and Greg Poulin finished in the top 20. Goaltender Jeff Paterson completed the season fourth overall in the top goaltenders. Brad Biermann, Dan Day, Greg Poulin, Jay Pullen and Ryan Yarmuch all participated in the RAMMHL all-star game. In the East Division finals the Polar Kings lost out to Strathcona, the eventual league champions. Many players attended Jr. A Camps and Darryl Mackay was selected to play with the Camrose Kodiaks. Grant McNiel attended the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders fall camp and Jeff Woywitka headed to the Red Deer Rebels camp. Both Jeff and Grant were selected to play for these WHL teams in the up coming season.
The 2000 - 2001 Bantam hockey team coached by Darrin Newell and Todd Schubada finished the regular season of the Central Alberta Bantam AAA Hockey league in first place and went on to win the CABHL Championship Title. Adam Creasy, with 51 points, was presented the CABHL Top Scoring Award for the season, while Morgan Mackay finished in second (46 points), Jory Stuparyk 6th place (37points) and Jesse Gulbraa in 10th place (32 points). There were Polar King players who placed in the top ten of the Leading Defensemen: Andrew Nelson - 3rd, Landon Cusack - 4th , Tyson Jones - 7th and Bryce Mayne - 10th. Following the regular season the Bantams played Fort McMurray in the first round of CABHL playoffs defeating them two games to none. The Kings advanced to meet the Lloydminster Blazers. The Polar Kings took the Blazers out three games straight to win the 2000-2001 Central Alberta Bantam AAA Hockey League Championships. In April the team traveled to Calgary where they participated in the annual Spring Classic Tournament - bringing home the championship trophy for the second year in a row. In April many players attended Junior "A" Spring Camps in both Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as WHL Camps. First year players attended the Pioneer Chrysler Cup tryouts held March 24th weekend.
The Midget Polar Kings coached by Sheldon Welsh, Randy Huxley and Ian Perkins along with trainer Jeremy Veitch experienced a successful year as well. The team began the season without some key players due to injuries but down the home stretch they proved to be competitive by finishing regular play in second place of the West Division in the Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League. At the completion of regular season Kurt Bensmiller finished the season in 6th place of the RAMMHL Top Scoring Leaders with 55 points. King's goaltender Brent Walker placed 5th in the Top Goaltenders while Dwayne Lingley finished in 11th place. In playoff action the Midgets faced the Northeast Panthers in a best of three game series. The first game was played in Wainwright and saw an excellent fast paced game however the Polar Kings lost a close game in overtime. Game 2 of the series was played in Bonnyville, which saw the Panthers again coming out on top. This finished the team's season however players continued to practice and prepare for spring camps. Congratulations to Chad Marchand, Darcy Mercier, Brent Walker and Greg Poulin on being selected to play in the 2000-2001 RAMMHL All Star game held in Grande Prairie. At the end of the season many players will be attending Jr. A spring camps both in Alberta and Saskatchewan
2001 – 2002 Polar Kings Season
The season began for the organization with its annual Conditioning Camp, which took place mid September. Following the Conditioning Camp the team tryouts began and finished up at the end of September. The Midget Polar Kings coached by Shelden Welch, Randy Huxley, Ian Perkins and Trainer Jermey Veitch began league play the last weekend of September. Their 36 game schedule began with a 0 – 7 record heading into the Christmas break. With a ton of hard work and dedication these young players went on to win the Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League Championship series against Grande Prairie. At the end of the regular season play, Darryl Lambert, Adam Creasy and Kyle McBride all placed in the Top 20 of the RAMMHL Leading Scorers. Goaltender, Brent Walker, completed the season in 4th place of the Leading Goaltenders of the RAMMHL. Congratulations to the Midget Polar Kings players, coaching staff and parents on a successful season!
The Bantam Polar Kings completed their 24 game schedule in second place of the CABHL just behind Lloydminster who finished in first. Jason Walker and Sheay McInroy both finished in the top 10 of the Leading Scores. Trevor Bromby and Jason Walker both finished the season in the top 10 of the leading rookies and Sean McInroy finished 10th of the leading defensemen. Tyler Larson won the Top Goaltender award with a 2.42 GAA. Again many players attended Junior A and WHL spring camps.
2002-2003 Polar Kings Season
Bantam Team
The Bantam team was coached by, Larry Golby, of Cornonation. assistant coaches, Darrell Anholt and Greg Latimer. Trainer was Barry Bartlett of Coronation. The team was managed by, Susan Thieleman of Castor. The Bantam Polar Kings played in the Central Alberta Bantam Hockey League that consisted of teams from Fort McMurray, St. Paul, Lloydminster and Cold Lake. The team played a 24 game schedule beginning mid October and concluded late February. At the completion of the season the Kings finished the league in first place and went on to play Fort McMurray in the first round while Cold Lake and Lloydminster played off. The winners from the semi-final series, which was the Polar Kings and Lloydminster, went on to play for the championship series in a best of 5 games. The Polar Kings took the series winning the 2002-2003 Championship title. Trevor Chopek won the CABHL top scoring award, Tyler Pugh won the top goaltender award and Dave Redhead finished the season as the top defensemen. Dave Redhead and Tyler Pugh were selected to play in the Hockey Alberta Program of Excellence at the Alberta Cup that was held in Medicine Hat then were selected to attend the Under 16 Provincial Camp in Camrose in July of 2003.
Midget Team
The Midget Polar Kings played in the Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League again this season with teams from Peace River, Fort St. John, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Bonnyville, Lloydminster, Camrose. Their season consisted of a 36 game schedule. The team was coached by, Randy Huxley, of Wainwright. assistants were Ian Perkins, Lee Gwinn and trainer Jeremy Vitche. The manager of this years midget team was Gary Miller. The team finished the season in second place in the East Division and went on to play Lloydminster in a best of three game series. The Midget Blazers won the series 2 games to 0 knocking the Kings out of the playoff run. Lloydminster went onto win the 2002-2003 league championships by beating out Camrose and Spruce Grove. Dallas Erickson placed 17th in the scoring leaders while Josh Miller finished in 19th place with 36 pts.
2003-2004
Bantam Team
The Bantam Polar Kings were coached by Gerry Foley, Glen Creasy and Kevin
Mackay. The Bantam played a 24 game schedule against Lloydminster, St. Paul,
Cold Lake and Fort McMurray. After regular season play the Kings finished in
third place. Tanner Dion of Hardisty placed 7th overall in the CABHL
leading scorers while Darcy Tomlinson close behind.
Midget Team
The Midget Polar Kings were coached by Randy Huxley, Jeremy Vietch, Darcy Peelar
and Trainer Barry Bartlett. After a 36 regular season schedule the Midget team
finished in first place in the East Division and went onto win the Rural Alberta
Midget Hockey League by beating out Spruce Grove.
March 24, 2004
"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS" by Brenda Walker
That was the chant of the Wainwright Midget AAA Polar Kings hockey team
Monday night when they defeated the Spruce Grove Timberwolves in the fifth and
final game of the Rural Alberta Midget Hockey League.
It was a tough battle for both teams and after Wainwright lost game four at
home Sunday afternoon it all came down to the wire. Both teams set foot on the
ice with sheer determination and it was due to that determination that sent
Wainwright’s Dallas Erickson to the penalty box for holding only 2 minutes into
the game giving the Timberwolves the first powerplay opportunity and that's’ all
Spruce Grove needed to take the lead. That same determination and grit shone
through again but this time with King’s Jarvis Smigleski’s tying goal from Ryan
Volk and Dallas Erickson with only 2 minutes and 43 seconds left in the first.
But the King’s weren’t finished yet as Jason Walker netted the second goal from
Sheay McInroy only a minute and a half later to give the King’s a one goal lead
after one period of play.
Spruce Grove rebounded back at the 14:30 mark to tie the game and by the end of
the second period the game remained a tie but the Kings had out shot Spruce
Grove 22 to 16. With Spruce Grove picking up a holding penalty at the end of the
second Wainwright had an opportunity to take the lead early in the third but it
wasn’t to be. The score was still tied at the end of the third period even
though the Kings had by then out shot Spruce Grove 32 to 24. Game five was into
overtime and what an overtime period it was.
The Polar Kings had 23 shots on net in the first five minutes of overtime when
captain Dallas Erickson picked up the rebound from Jarvis Smigelski and Dave
Redhead to slam in the game winner. When asked later about the goal, Dallas
commented that it was everybody, all the players, parents and fans in the stands
who assisted on that goal.
Coach Randy Huxley’s final words were, "The boys did it all. All I did was open
the gate. They were the ones who played hurt, battered and bruised. They’re the
ones who played with heart."
THE HEART OF HOCKEY - RURAL ALBERTA!