Bienfait Coalers 2017-18 Preview

The 2016-17 season for the Bienfait Coalers was a bit of an anomaly.

It was the first time in the last seven years that the team would not be taking part in the Big 6 league championship series, and that was thanks to the Yellow Grass Wheat Kings. The first year team out of Yellow Grass knocked off the perennial favorites in a 4-3 triple overtime thriller and it's something that Coalers Head Coach Joel Moriarty hasn't forgotten about.

"We definitely want to be back playing for a championship, I think it might have been weird for some of the guys that we didn't even make it to the final. We want to get back there," the Coalers Head Coach said.

Following a run that saw the Coalers win five straight league championships with seven trips to the finals, Bienfait will look to get back to their winning ways with some fresh faces in the line up when the puck drops on November, 3rd in Midale.

"We have a couple new guys from midget coming to play this season as well as a few guys who played in the past coming back, it's a good mix of older guys and new younger faces. We're expecting to have a fast team that plays physical and we should have a pretty successful season I'm thinking. Overall when people come to watch they are surprised. It's good hockey, there's lots of good teams and players in the league."

Moriarty also commented on welcoming back the Arcola/Kisbey Combines to the league.

"Last year with Yellow Grass being in the league and Arcola being out it was still the same number but we were split up into divisions so that was something different. You never want to get into the same thing every year, it gets boring for guys so it's nice that Arcola's back in the league. They have a nice rink and great fan support so it's fun playing up there."

2016-2017 Regular Season Notes

  • The Coalers finished first in the West Division standings with 16 wins, 3 losses and 1 overtime/shootout loss.
  • Payden Benning led the Coalers in scoring with 12 goals and 17 assists.
  • Lost in Big 6 game five semi-final to Yellow Grass in triple overtime 4-3.
  • Failed to make league final for first time in 7 seasons.

The 17-18 season all starts when the Coalers travel to Midale on Friday, November 3rd to battle the Mustangs at 8:00 p.m from the Midale Harry O. Memorial Arena.

Click here to view the Coalers 2017-18 regular season schedule.