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Dragons hoping for healthy post season

dragons
The Dragons are hoping to heal up this week to be a force to be reckoned come the playoffs.
   The Dragons have been limping towards the postseason and after last weekend they are on an eight-game skid. They have one more regular season game versus Olds before playoffs this coming Saturday, and Coach Darryl Olsen hopes they can use the time to heal and refocus.
   “This is coming at a perfect time for us, we are still not 100 per cent healthy,” said Coach Olsen. “Last week we had one practice where we actually had 20 guys. So this week will be good, we can get back to the drawing board and start putting our systems back together.”
   Last weekend was a tough one for the squad. On Friday, February 24, the team was in Okotoks to take on the Oilers. Okotoks jumped out to a two-goal lead before Jordan Evans scored for the Dragons on the power play with a minute left in the first period.
Joren Patenaude tied it up at the 6:16 mark of the second period. Just three minutes later Okotoks scored the winner.
   On Saturday, Okotoks came to Drumheller for the home and away series. This time the Dragons jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Clay Keeley and then Tyler Kreklewich. The Oilers tied it up in the second period and then went ahead 6-2 in the third period. Andrew Kartusch made it 6-3 to end the game.
   “The first two periods were really good, and then we just kind fell into some penalty trouble and then the wheels just fell off. Those first two periods is the kind of hockey we are going to play when we get everybody back, high energy, lots of puck movement, lots of shots.”
   He is looking forward to a healthy playoff series. Their opponent is yet to be determined. Before then, they have one more game versus the Olds Grizzlys on the road this Saturday.
   “We have this week, and then a few days before the first playoff game. We are looking forward to all of these guys getting back together. There is nothing like being on the ice together in practice as one cohesive unit.”

Dragons form management committee

Dragons management

The Drumheller Dragons are proud to announce that team ownership has formed a Management Committee to formally govern the organization.

The Management Committee consists of team ownership and community stakeholders, and is intended to guide business operations and hockey operations.

“The idea is that with all the resources and knowledge of the collective group, we can better support and guide the organization to achieve its goals both on and off the ice,” said Blair Christianson, team owner.

“We really want Drumheller to be the place that young players want to come play,” said Rod Knelsen, team owner. “We want to be seen as the premiere team to play for in the AJHL in the way we develop our players, the level of fan support we receive, and the amount of interest in our players from college and university teams. Obviously we think we have a great organization already but there is always work to be done to improve, and we hope this Committee will help guide us there.”

Members of the Management Committee are:

Blair Christianson
Rod Knelsen
Corrine Collett
Amanda Stahl
Joe Castonguay
Jeff Paarup
Doug Lubinski

Missing from photo: Blair Christianson, Rod Knelsen

Dragons, coach Curran part ways

Curran Photo

The 2016-17 season marks the fifth and final year of Head Coach and GM Brian Curran’s contract with the Drumheller Dragons organization, and the Dragons management committee has decided not to renew his contract.

“We are thankful for Brian’s five years of service and for fulfilling his commitment to our organization,” said Dragons co-owner and Governor, Rod Knelsen.

Brian is a former AJHL Coach of the Year and in the 2013-14 season he coached the Dragons to an AJHL South Division Championship.

“The mark of a good coach is leaving the team in a better place than you found it,” said Dragons co-owner and Chairman, Blair Christianson. “We feel that Brian has done that. When he first arrived here in 2012, the team was coming off a tough season and to win a South Division championship in his second year and bring the team to where it is today is a true reflection of his leadership.”

The Drumheller Dragons organization would like to thank Brian for his service to the team and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Effective immediately, assistant coach Darryl Olsen will assume the responsibility of the interim head coaching position.

Photo by Broken Curfew Photography

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