Building a new team culture

BARRHEAD - It is not the same team that started the season.

That is what Barrhead Bombers head coach Joey McEwan said upon returning from a three-game road trip (Dec. 3, 4 and 5) with one win and two losses, but that record does not tell the complete story.

On Dec. 3, the Bombers lost 6-5 to the Hinton Timberwolves in a shootout. The next day, Barrhead rebounded, defeating the Edmonton Eagles 9-6 before losing to the Vegreville Vipers 7-3 with an undermanned squad.

The Bombers are part of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), a Tier II Junior league, which differs from traditional junior hockey leagues in that it is tuition-based with its players having to pay a fee to play. The league also allows up to 14 non-North American players as well as several overaged players (20-year-olds), which ndiffers from other leagues.

However, since McEwan took over as head coach (after the team's third game), the franchise has changed its focus, recruiting more players from the immediate region. 

"We wanted to bring in a culture in the room that is about community. When people come to the arena to watch the games, they know they are watching their own Alberta kids," he said. 

As of Dec. 6, the Bombers had four players from Barrhead listed on their roster — forwards Brendan Bujold, Owen Weeks, Jeremy De Vries and defenceman Jason Kelly. The roster also includes defenceman and assistant captain Austin Strathdee from Athabasca as well as three other players within an hour-and-a-half drive from Barrhead.

McEwan added the roster is still a "work in progress" but said when it is complete, he hopes to carry between 20 and 25 skaters, with the vast majority being from the region.

"It is a little bit backwards from how other franchises do it, where they focus on recruiting from the U.S. or other locations first," he said.

McEwan said they are also trying to bring in younger players from 16 to 18 years old.

"We focus on education and getting them scholarships to colleges and universities," he said, adding that his background will be helpful.

"I am very familiar with NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) programs ... and I can talk to my former teammates and coaches and promote my players, which I view as my family," he said. 

McEwan said he and team owner and general manager Aly Virani are working hard to instil a culture where education and personal accountability for their players is prevalent.

Before the Dec. 5 game against Vegreville, several players were suspended for violating team rules, including one of the most important requirements that they maintain a 70 per cent average in school.

"I did not care about how big the Vegreville game was or that the night before we won and ran the team out of the building. I sat five players to send the message that no one is above the law," he said. "Everyone will be up to speed with their academics, or they will not play."

The Bombers’ next game in Barrhead will not be until Jan. 9. The league postponed games against the Cold Lake Aeros and the Edmonton Eagles until after the league's three-day showcase in Las Vegas on Dec. 19 to 21 to allow teams time to travel. The last game before the event for the Bombers will be on Dec. 14 against the Vernal Oilers in Utah.

One of the big draws of the tournament is that the WSHL, at the league's expense, invites several U.S. college and university scouts.

"We are going there for hockey first, exposure second, and have some fun, but it's in that order," he said. 

To do that, McEwan said, as a team, they are making sure that all the players are up-to-date and even ahead of where they need to be academically before they leave on their extended road trip.

Unfortunately, he said the trip meant that they missed the town's Polar Parade, but McEwan hoped they could do something special for the community once they returned.

"The community, especially the businesses, have been so supportive, hiring some of our players ... and we want to show them how appreciative we are and that we want to be part of the community."

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com