The Cochrane Generals are preparing for another season in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) with optimism, continuity, and focus on building a winning culture.
Entering his second year as head coach, Derek Bell has overseen a busy offseason of recruitment, team-building, and player development, with training camp just 10 days away.
The summer has been filled with on-ice activity, with weekly summer skates attracting 38 to 40 players, ranging from returning veterans to new prospects.
“It’s been a ton of fun seeing vets and old players come back to skate, reconnect with friends, and get ready for the season,” Bell said.
The program’s recruitment efforts have been robust since last spring, as Bell and his staff visited showcase camps, scouted talent, and connected with junior A prospects.
A core group of players wanting to return this season provides stability. Nearly 90 per cent of last year’s roster hope to wear the Gens colours again, ensuring continuity in leadership and culture.
“I had absolutely zero convincing to do—most players wanted to come back. That’s the greatest gift. When your guys are excited to return, recruiting the rest becomes much easier.”
First, though, they have to earn a spot on the roster. Bell doesn't believe in signing players before camp to give everyone an equal opportunity to make the team.
He's thrilled to have his entire coaching staff return.
“We have the exact same staff as last year, and that consistency is invaluable for the players and the community.”
Bell credits the strong sense of community support for the Generals’ success, noting that parents and fans alike value the balance between competitive hockey and personal development.
Team-building is a central theme for Bell and the Generals. Beyond on-ice preparation, the team will continue its annual ropes course event, pairing rookies with veterans and fostering cohesion ahead of the season. Bell emphasized that building relationships off the ice is just as important as skill development.
“By the end of last season, we were a family, and that’s what we’re continuing to build,” he said.
He's had plenty of positive feedback from last season.
"I got told by lots of parents that this was the best year their sons have ever had. Maybe it wasn't the outcome that we were all looking for, but sometimes, that's not always the end goal. The end goal is to produce great people, great athletes, and have a good time. You need to have fun, and unfortunately, sometimes fun is taken out of the game. We want to make sure we always include that in the game."
The Generals’ schedule begins with a series of preseason games, including home-and-home matchups against Airdrie Thunder and Mountainview Colts, with talks of an additional game in High River.
The regular season starts with a three-game road trip, followed by a home opener against the Strathmore Wheatland Kings, promising an exciting showcase for fans. Bell sees these early games as opportunities to test the team against varied competition while integrating rookies into the system.
Fans will get their first look at the Sept. 7 exhibition game against the Colts and Sept. 11th against the Thunder. The regular season home opener is on Sept. 27.
A thrilling semifinal series between the Gens ended with an overtime barnburner last February.
Fans will also notice a technological upgrade this season, as all home games will be streamed through FloSports, complete with play-by-play commentary. The initiative, which Bell says is likely to become league-wide in the future, allows supporters to watch games from home and gives players added exposure to scouts from higher-level and post-secondary teams.
The HJHL continues to serve as a pathway to college and junior A hockey. Bell cited former Generals goalie Eric Garber, who advanced to Arizona State University in the NCAA, as an example of the opportunities available for players who develop in the program.
“This league gives athletes a chance to get better, get noticed, and even pursue college opportunities in the U.S.,” Bell said.
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Despite a leave of absence by the Three Hills Thrashers, he says the league is on solid footing and highly competitive teams.
This year marked the return of the HJHL All-Star Game and skills competition in Strathmore, offering players a chance to showcase their abilities and celebrate their peers. It was last held in Medicine Hat in 2018 before the challenges presented by the pandemic health restrictions.
As the Generals gear up for the season, Bell says the focus remains on balance: developing talented hockey players, creating a fun and positive environment, and fostering a strong sense of family among players, staff, and the community.
“We’ve built a family here, and we’re ready to get after it again,” he said.