Induction 2026 - Team
“Front row: Dallas Graham, Devin Buffalo, Donovan Auger
Second
row: Rick Gregory (coach), Jordan Howe, Zach Littlechild, Mark Bailer,
Brandon Wark, Eric Walker, Steven Walker, Thomas Fortin, Rj Reed,
Tyson
Zielke, Brian MacDonald, Mac Anderson, Molly MacDonald, Dylan Weaver,
(Ben Anderson), Grant MacDonald (assistant coach)”
The Foundation of a Championship Season
During the 2006–2007
hockey season, a group of talented thirteen-
and fourteen-year-old youngsters brought excitement and recognition to
Wetaskiwin b capturing the Provincial Bantam “A” Championship. In addition to
the provincial title, the Legion 86s team won the Alberta Major Bantam “AA”
League Championship, the Zone 4 Provincial Playdowns, and the Canadian Forces
Memorial Tournament. Their
accomplishments could not have been achieved without hard work, dedication,
teamwork, and excellent coaching. Because
of their outstanding season, we are honouring the players, coaches, and manager
by inducting the 2006-2007 Legion 86s Bantam “AA” Hockey Team into the
Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Many Hands, One Mind - Sizzling to the Finish
The 86's began their
historic run by winning the Canadian Forces Memorial Tournament in November
2006 and over the Christmas holidays captured the consolation final of the
Edmonton Bantam Invitational Tournament of Champions. They finished first in
the Alberta Major Bantam “AA” Hockey League (AMBHL) with a stellar record of 29
wins, 5 losses, and 2 ties—the first AMBHL regular-season title for Wetaskiwin
since the league’s inception in 1990. Throughout league play, the team was a
powerhouse, averaging six goals per game while allowing fewer than three.
According to Coach
Rick Gregory, the team’s success was due to an explosive, well-balanced
offence, sound defence, and impressive depth. They displayed enthusiasm and energy,
developed considerable chemistry, and gelled nicely in the second half of the
season, gaining confidence with every game. Excellent goaltending was also a
key factor in their winning campaign.
The Wetaskiwin Times
reported that “The Wetaskiwin Legion 86s are not just hot, they’re sizzling
heading into playoff and provincial play. After defeating Devon and Beaumont by
a combined score of 43-2 in the initial provincial play-offs, the 86’s
continued their romp through the Zone 4 Provincial Play Downs by defeating Red
Deer 12-1. This marked the first Zone 4 Bantam Championship for a Wetaskiwin
team in six years.” After their victory, Coach Gregory noted, “The 86’s success
is the continuation of what has been a watershed season for our club thus far.”
Twice the Overtime, Triple the Glory
The Provincial
Tournament in High Prairie saw 8 teams competing in two pools of four. The 86’s defeated Canmore 12-5, Fairview 5-4
and Vermillion 4-0 in round robin play to advance to the semi-finals. After an 8-2 victory over Sherwood Park, they
moved on to a gold medal showdown against Stony Plain. Wetaskiwin and Stony Plain were familiar foes,
as the two teams had faced each other six times in the season.
The
final game provided heart-pounding suspense. The teams
tested the ice in a highly defensive first period that saw Wetaskiwin outshoot
Stony 6-4; neither team netted a goal. Halfway through the second period, Stony
Plain scored, capitalizing on a two-on-one rush. Wetaskiwin however, potted the equalizer with
just over a minute remaining in the period.
Wetaskiwin scored early in the third to take the lead. However, Stony scored with only five minutes
left in the game. It was a tense
scoreless first overtime period with inspiring performances by players from
both teams. Just thirty seconds into the second overtime
period, Wetaskiwin netted the winner. Pandemonium
ensued as the 86’s left their bench in unison to celebrate a 3-2 victory and
the Provincial “A” Championship. The 86’s finished the season with an
impressive record of 54 wins, 9 losses and 2 ties.
Beyond the Box Score
The talent of this
roster was evident in the years that followed. Many continued playing hockey after
their successful year: four played Junior C in Millet; nine played Junior B
with the Wetaskiwin Icemen; one played U Sports in Nova Scotia and another played
in the Alberta College Athletic Conference at NAIT. One standout played for the Brooks Bandits in
the Alberta Junior Hockey League, winning a National Championship before
playing minor pro in Sweden and Germany, while another played in the
Saskatchewan Junior A League with the Flin Flon Bombers and then played in the
NCAA at Dartmouth College, earning a Hobey Baker Award as the MVP of NCAA
Division 1 Hockey. Today, two members play
senior men’s hockey with the Wetaskiwin Longhorns and two serve as high level
referees in the WHL, U Sports and the AJHL.
Coach Gregory, who was named AMBHL Coach of the Year, went on to coach
Bantam “AAA” and then the Icemen for four seasons. All in all, this team’s
journey is a tribute to their skill, their coaches' expertise, and an enduring
love for the game.
86's a Special Team
The 2006-2007
Wetaskiwin Bantam Legion 86s were a special team and their story should inspire
and motivate young hockey players in our community. The championships they earned and the
memories they shared will last a lifetime.
By inducting them into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame we
are recognizing their skill, enthusiasm, hard work, dedication, cohesiveness as
a team, and outstanding accomplishments. Well done 86’s!