Drumheller, AB: This past Saturday, a former Dragon helped the University of Denver make history as they won their 10th NCAA National Championship, the most by a single program in history!

Kent Anderson, who was a defenceman for the Dragons from 2019-2021, is currently in his sophomore season with the University of Denver Pioneers Men’s Hockey team. This season he had 7 points in 41 games played for the program, helping them advance to the NCAA Frozen Four. In the semi-finals, they knocked off 2nd seed Boston University by a score of 2-1 in overtime. Then on Saturday night against the 1st ranked Boston College, they shut them out to earn a 2-0 victory and the NCAA National Championship. This was Denver’s 10th National Title in their program’s history, which is now the most by any school. Another former Dragon, Brett Edwards, helped the Pioneers win their 9th National Championship in 2022.

During his two seasons with the Dragons, Kent Anderson played 66 games and had 29 points. In the 2020-21 season that was shortened by COVID, he was named an assistant captain for the team. He was an important piece of the Dragons organization in his time here, being a top two-way defenceman and bringing important leadership both on and off the ice.

Anderson was also recognized at the end of this season as the NCAA Elite 90 Award for having the highest grade point average among all players participating in the NCAA Frozen Four! Kent is taking a degree in finance and is currently holding a 3.975 grade point average!

We would like to congratulate Kent and the Denver Pioneers on their incredible season!

Drumheller, AB: The Dragons fought hard to the end, but came up short in their AJHL Semi-Finals series with the Calgary Canucks.

After dropping the first two games on the road, with the second game having some controversy after the Dragons appeared to score the overtime winning goal, the team won Game 3 in exciting fashion by a score of 6-3 in front of a massive crowd at the Memorial Arena. The Dragons then dropped Game 4 before ultimately getting beat out in Game 5 after the Canucks scored a late 3rd period goal to edge out the Dragons and end their playoff run.

Some notable playoff performers for the Dragons included Holden Cardinal, Coy Pighin, Sean Cootes, Ryan Henderson, and Jamie Hikida. Cardinal, who led the Dragons in playoff scoring, put up 5 goals and 10 points in 9 games played for the team. He was a consistent performer all playoffs long and played well alongside Coy Pighin and Jacob Goudreau. Pighin had 9 points in 9 games played, including the overtime winning goal against the Bonnyville Pontiacs that sent the Dragons to the semi-finals. Ryan Henderson was a force on the Dragons blueline all season long, and produced 5 points during the playoffs while playing big-time minutes against opposing team’s top lines. Jamie Hikida had his coming out party during playoffs, being a thorn in the side of opposing players and scoring timely goals for the Dragons. He had 4 goals in 8 games played during the playoffs. Lastly, Sean Cootes was once again outstanding for the Dragons as he posted a .913 save percentage and a 2.97 goals against average during the post-season, making incredible saves in every game that always gave the Dragons an opportunity to win.

The Drumheller Dragons organization would like to thank all their fans, season ticket holders, sponsors, billets, staff, and volunteers for making this a season to remember despite all the changes in the league. It was far from an easy season, but the community of Drumheller supported us through it all! We are excited to get back on the ice for the 2024-25 season with expectations higher than ever before!

Drumheller, AB: The Alberta Junior Hockey League has announced their selections for their “All-League” teams for the 2023-2024 season. These teams featured four Dragons players, including Vann Yuhas, Ryan Henderson, Devon Winder, and Sean Cootes.

Vann Yuhas was named to the AJHL All-League 1st team following a tremendous season in Dragons colours. He put up 54 points in 54 games played, which led the Dragons in scoring. This also got the captain nominated for the AJHL MVP Award and Top Forward Award, as he was a finalist in both categories. This season also sprung Yuhas into the Dragons franchise record books, as he moved into 3rd place in all-time points with the Dragons at 216. Yuhas looks to continue his great play as he leads the Dragons through the playoffs into a Semi-Finals matchup with the Calgary Canucks.

Dragons defenceman, Ryan Henderson, was named to the AJHL All-League 2nd team. This season, he broke out offensively and produced 33 points in 54 games played. He was also named a finalist for the AJHL Top Defenceman Award and was named the Top Defenceman during the Dragons Awards Ceremony. Henderson has had a great start to playoffs as well, putting up 4 points through the first four games. You can catch the Dragons star defenceman on Tuesday night at the Memorial Arena for Game 3 of the Semi-Finals series.

Devon Winder was named to the AJHL All-Academic team for his rookie season in the AJHL. The 2006 born forward had a 93% average and Dragons Academic Advisor, Dave Wood, raves about Winder’s commitment in the classroom.

Lastly, Dragons goaltender Sean Cootes was named to the AJHL All-Rookie 2nd team. In his first year with the Dragons, he posted a .910 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average. His save percentage was third among AJHL rookie goaltenders and first in goals against average.

You can catch these Dragons in action this upcoming week at the Memorial Arena as the team continues their march towards their first AJHL Finals birth since 2014.

Drumheller, AB: Round 1 of the AJHL playoffs did not disappoint for Dragons fans! After a three week break between the regular season and playoffs, the Dragons came out flying in the first round despite finishing off the regular season on a five game losing streak. After a four game sweep of the higher ranked Bonnyville Pontiacs, the Dragons have punched their ticket to the AJHL Semi-Finals!

Games 1 and 2 on the road in Bonnyville saw a back and forth type of play, with momentum and control of the games in a constant battle between the two teams. The Dragons emerged victorious in Game 1 by a score of 4-2 before winning a thrilling Game 2 in overtime by a score of 4-3. This game saw Dragons rookie forward, Jamie Hikida, score the tying goal in regulation with just 58 seconds before we ultimately ended the game in overtime off a great breakaway goal. This shifted the series back to Drumheller, with the Dragons in complete control.

Games 3 and 4 were electric to say the least. The Dragons saw a crowd of over 1,000 in Game 3, with the return of the famous “Rink Rats”, who parked themselves behind the Pontiacs bench and brought energy to the Memorial Arena all game long. In Game 3, the Dragons earned another close game victory by a score of 4-3. Headed into Game 4 with a strangle-hold on the series, the Dragons looked to be down and out in the final minute of the game until Ayden Peters scored the game tying goal with only 15 seconds remaining that sent the Pontiacs into shock. This forced overtime where a familiar hero from last year’s playoffs, Coy Pighin, ended the game just a few minutes into overtime off a great goal and a great set-up from Holden Cardinal. This goal ended the Pontiacs season and sent the Dragons to the league semi-final for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.

The AJHL semi-finals will see the Dragons face-off against the rival Calgary Canucks. During the regular season, the Dragons beat the Canucks three times out of four, including a 6-0 victory earlier in the season. Tickets for this series will be available shortly at tickets.drumhellerdragons.ca! Get yours now as we expect sell-out crowds for Round 2!

Drumheller, AB: The AJHL announced their finalists for the league awards this morning, and that included three Dragons players that are up for AJHL Awards!

Dragons captain, Vann Yuhas, was nominated for two different awards which include the AJHL Top Forward Award and the AJHL Most Valuable Player. The Merrimack College commit has had an outstanding season with the Dragons, having recorded 22 goals and 54 points in 54 games played. This led the Dragons in both scoring and in goals and was good for 8th in AJHL scoring!

Ryan Henderson, the 2004 born defenceman and native of Lethbridge, was named a finalist for the AJHL Outstanding Defenceman Award! Henderson has had a tremendous season on the back-end for the Dragons, having recorded 32 points in 54 games played. This was good for 5th place among AJHL defencemen in league scoring!

Lastly, Dragons Head Coach and General Manager, Kevin Hasselberg, was named as a finalist for AJHL Coach of the Year. Hasselberg led the team to a 26-22-8 record this season and helped the team have the second best powerplay percentage in the league at 22.3% Kevin is the Dragons all-time leader in games coached and wins for a Head Coach!

We would like to congratulate all the finalists on great seasons with the Dragons!

Drumheller, AB: The Dragons are excited to announce the signing of both Braden and Camden Cunningham for the 2024-25 season!

The Cunningham twins are dual citizens of both the U.S. and Canada, and are currently playing for the Helena Bighorns in the NA3HL. Helena is currently the top team in the league, in large part to the play of these two 2006 born forwards. The two forwards are skilled players who also bring a physical element to their game, a trait that Dragons Head Coach and GM, Kevin Hasselberg, is excited to add to the club next season.

Braden currently has 33 goals and 56 points in 37 games played. He has also added 106 penalty minutes to boot. Camden has recorded 23 goals, 54 points, and 173 penalty minutes in 36 games played this season with Helena. The twins currently sit in 5th and 8th place respectively in league scoring in the NA3HL. The NA3HL is a U.S. junior league that promotes many players to the NAHL (North American Hockey League), many of which go on to earn NCAA Division I scholarships.

We are excited to welcome the Cunningham twins to Drumheller!

Drumheller, AB: The Drumheller Dragons are excited to announce that they have signed 2006 born forward, Brendon Hall, to a letter of intent for the 2024-25 season!

Hall, who is a native of Victoria, BC is currently playing for the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in the CSSHL U18 Prep league. Hall has recorded 13 goals and 25 points in just 28 games played this season. In 2021-22, he was named a finalist for the CSSHL U16 Prep MVP Award after recording 26 goals and 59 points in 36 games played, which led PCHA. It was also good for 7th in league scoring that season. The skilled forward takes pride in his ability to create plays and offence using his great vision and skillset.

Welcome to Drumheller, Brendon!

Drumheller, AB: Dragons 20 year old goaltender, Jameson Kaine, has announced his commitment to Fredonia State University! Fredonia State University is located in Fredonia, New York and the Blue Devils compete in the SUNYAC Conference in the NCAA Division III.

Kaine has had a great season thus far with the Dragons, having signed with the organization this past summer. In his first season with the Dragons, Jameson has posted a 12-16-3 record with a 0.885 save percentage and a 3.32 goals against average. Kaine has also posted 2 shutouts this season, as well. The Vancouver native had spent last season with the Spruce Grove Saints, helping them win a North Division title before losing to the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL championship. Kaine is recognized as a important leader in the Dragons locker room and a great supporter of rookie goaltender, Sean Cootes, who has had a tremendous rookie season with the Dragons.

You can watch Kaine this weekend at the Memorial Arena as the Dragons square off with the Calgary Canucks on Friday night and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Saturday night. Tickets are on sale now at tickets.drumhellerdragons.ca!

Drumheller, AB: Former Dragon great, Brady Risk, has been having an outstanding season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks and this past weekend, he was nominated for the biggest award in division one men’s hockey, the Hobey Baker Award.

The Hobey Baker Award is given to the top NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey player, and former award winners include Cale Makar, Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau, among other outstanding NHL players. 11 of the past 41 winners have been Canadian born players, two of which hailed from Alberta. This season with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Brady Risk has been having a season to remember. The Nanooks assistant captain currently leads the team in points, with 11 goals and 29 points in only 23 games. He currently sits at 22nd in the NCAA with a 1.26 points per game average.

During his time with the Dragons, Risk produced 164 points in 230 games played. He is the Dragons all-time franchise leader in both games played with 230 and goals with 79. He also sits second in points with 164. Risk is noted as one of the all-time great Dragons for his commitment to the community, extraordinary play on the ice, leadership ability, and scoring some of the biggest goals in Dragons playoff history.

Voting for the Hobey Baker Award is now live, and you can vote everyday for Brady Risk on their website at hobeybaker.com!

Drumheller, AB: On Sunday night as the Dragons defeated the visiting Drayton Valley Thunder, captain Vann Yuhas entered the Dragons record books in dramatic fashion. Not only did he score the game winning goal, but he also notched his 50th of his AJHL career.

Over his four seasons with the Dragons, the Merrimack College commit has recorded 50 goals, 105 assists, for 155 points. That total has moved Yuhas into 3rd all-time in franchise scoring, only trailing Brady Risk with 164 points and Jordan Taupert with 189 points. Vann is also just the second Dragon ever to record over 100 career assists, as Taupert also holds that record with 121.

As the Dragons head into the final third of their season, keep an eye on the Dragons captain as he looks to chase down these records and lead the Dragons into the AJHL playoffs.

Congratulations on your accomplishments, Vann!