By Scott Roblin

Bandits not relying on automatic berth to get to 2019 RBC Cup

Oct 9, 2018 | 7:27 PM

BROOKS, AB – The Brooks Bandits are optimistic that early season success will translate into a winning recipe.

A historic year has begun for the Bandits franchise, as they get ready to host Canada’s best junior ‘A’ teams at the 2019 RBC Cup national championship tournament.

Forward Arnaud Vachon was a member of the Bandits team that lost in overtime of the 2017 RBC Cup final to the Cobourg Cougars and said he’s motivated to get back.

“It’s unreal, especially for some of the guys here two times in three years,” said Vachon. “It’s a huge opportunity for us to show how Brooks is good.”

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Brooks is hot out of the gate with an 8-1 record, rattling off eight straight victories in the process.

Vachon said it’s a big turnaround for the club after being trounced 11-3 in their season opener against Drumheller on September 14.

“After the first game we kind of had a little meeting, and we talked about how much we have to work harder and how much this league is going to be harder this year,” he said. “That’s basically what we’ve been doing, every shift we’ve been pushing hard, every line has been going, and it’s been working out.”

While leaders like Vachon and Nathan Plessis are back, this year’s squad is very much a revamped roster with 15 new additions.

One of those additions comes between the pipes, as all-star graduate Mitch Benson has handed over the reigns to 2000-born rookie Pierce Charleson.

“It’s crazy, they’re big shoes to fill and there’s a lot of expectation here,” said Charleson. “But, that’s what you want and it’s a great place to play.”

A name synonymous with Bandits success has returned to the ice this season, with rookie winger Taylor Makar set to continue the legacy of his older brother Cale.

Spending two full seasons wearing Bandits blue, Makar set records during his time in Brooks and was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Cale was an all-star with the Bandits but Taylor has the chance to do something his brother never could, lift the RBC Cup.

“It’s a huge step in hopefully my hockey career, knowing my cousin and brother went through it,” said Makar. “It’s a great organization and just means a lot for me to play here too.”

The Bandits already know they’ll be playing hockey in May, but returning defender Brandon Scanlin said they’re not resting on their laurels.

“Obviously, it’s nice to know that we’re already going to be there,” said Scanlin. “But, we still want to win and develop our whole game, so when we get there we’re as sharp as we can be.”

“It’s awesome having that experience with the guys on your team,” said Charleson. “I know I watched a bunch of the games last year and it’s a crazy atmosphere when we get there. So, obviously we got a long way to go, but looking forward to the end there.”

Anticipation has been building for over a year in Brooks, as Scanlin is excited to see where this year’s journey will lead the team and the community.

“It’s great, as much as we can help the community because they love us,” he said. “All we got to do is just give back and the support at the end of the year is going to be unreal.”

Brooks will play host to the 2019 RBC Cup from May 11 to 19, while their next AJHL game comes on Friday night when they welcome the Grande Prairie Storm to Centennial Regional Arena.