The Fort Saskatchewan U17 AAA South Fort Chev Rangers are having quite a successful season to date.
After 17 games this season, the Rangers sit atop the U17 AAA AEHL league with 13 wins and just three losses so far.
Head coach, Mason Hawkes, says they have a good mix of players this season.
"We had a lot of returning players from our U16 AAA team from last year and then we mixed them with the U15 AAA players from last year as well," said Hawkes. "We've had quite a bit of continuity, a lot of the kids have played together before."
The team's first game of the season didn't go quite as planned, losing to the Grande Peace Storm back on October 15, but they responded to the loss by rattling off 12 straight wins. That streak came to an end on November 27 after a 3-3 tie with the Canadian (CAC) Gregg Distributors.
Though winning is always nice, it does present some difficulties to the coaching staff. Hawkes says he's been trying to keep his players responsible every game to make sure they don't get too complacent.
"I think it's about doing the right things every day," said Hawkes. "When you have a good team like we do this year, there are a lot of guys who deserve ice time, and there is a lot of healthy competition."
"It keeps people a bit honest because they know they can lose their spot in the lineup and, if they're not in the spot they want, they can climb."
Ty Van Brabant is this year's captain of the team, followed by assistant captains Bryce Ambeault and Jesse Li. All three have been instrumental in keeping the team playing at a high level.
From a statistical standpoint, Hunter Yanick leads the team in points with 23 over that span while Chayse King has the team's most goals with 15.
Both players are top 10 in scoring in the league.
The Rangers have just one more game at home, and two road games, before they head into their Christmas break.
You can catch them in action against the AC Avalanche this Saturday at the JRC.