With a new head coach, a few new players, but the same desire to win, the Cannex Cochrane Generals are back in action as they kick off the 2024-2025 season in high gear.
On their Oct. 11 home opener in Cochrane, the Gens secured a 6-1 win against the High River Flyers. Their following match on Oct. 12, the Gens lost 2-5 against the Medicine Hat Cubs. Looking at the current division standings, the Generals are in fourth at 10 points, with five wins and three losses.
The new head coach for the Generals, Derek Bell, outlines that they’ve been in top form.
“To start six games on the road is not the easiest task, but I would say that it’s been a great start for us, being that I’m a new head coach, with a couple of new guys on the team,” he said. “It’s given us opportunities to get to know one another, and really gel as a team.”
Of their six games on the road, Bell said the team secured four wins with only two losses.
“Overall, they’re strong games,” he notes. “A shootout finish in one of our games, which was nice to see that we closed it out and beat Strathmore that night, who were an undefeated team as well. Again, that was a great hockey game.”
For the Generals, Bell said that their biggest goal will be to grow as a team that can win the southern division, with their sights set on winning the entire league, and possibly heading to provincials.
In terms of talent to look out for on the ice, Bell said there’s many returning vets that fans need to keep an eye out for.
“I would look at our returning vets for sure like James Quaife, Ethan Matiece, Diego Coelho, Brendan Thubron, and Evan Judge,” he said. “We’ve got lots back like Caden Stephenson, our two goalies are returning, who are probably in my opinion, the best in the league.”
As their new head coach, Bell said he noticed that the Generals had a difficult time last season, but assures that they’re now back on track to start off the season right.
“For myself, being the new guy on the block, I did see that the Gens had a tough time last year with them exiting the playoffs,” Bell said. “I think they were a little bit stronger last year than they were this year, but still a quality club.
“It’s nice to get that wind back that the boys probably should have had last year, and we’ll start that off this year with them, and we’ll let them know who they are.”
Through his leadership and the commitment of the team, Bell said he plans to take the Generals as far as he can this season.
“There’s some really good teams in our league, it’s not going to be an easy journey by any means, but I think it’s a journey that we’re all prepared to work hard for,” Bell said.
Bell would like to give a very special thanks to the community of Cochrane and all of the sponsors that support the Generals. He would also like to give a shout out to Dedra and her family, outlining that she’s been their number one fan and that they’ve been extremely supportive of their endeavours.
The Generals will be returning to the ice at the SLS Centre on Oct. 18 to face off against the Carstar Okotoks Bisons.
