Spruce Grove Saints build on scholarship success

Job security as a junior hockey coach is cut throat. Win, your job is safe stick. Lose, and you’re often sent packing out the door.

What Spruce Grove Saints general manager and head coach Jason McKee have been able to help build since joining the organization 10 years ago as an assistant coach is pretty special.

He’s built a tradition of winning. Under McKee, the Saints have compiled a 225-46-29 record and have won four of the past six Alberta Junior Hockey League championships, but more importantly, there’s also a tradition of developing players on to the next level.

The Saints have had upwards of 100 players earn scholarships at the NCAA, CIS and ACAC levels — the bulk of the kids coming from the Edmonton area.

“It’s significant to be around the 100 scholarship mark … it says a lot about our program. It’s a good thing. It’s hard to see guys go, but you get to see that next wave of young kids, and they see the success we’ve built and players being able to move on to that next level of development,” said McKee, who took over the GM and head coaching reigns when Steve Hamilton left to join the Oil Kings and took with him assistants Ryan Marsh and Dustin Schwartz, who were also on the Saints coaching staff.

“That’s a big part of what we do. It’s not just about winning, it’s about getting the kids to the next level, and a lot of that falls on my shoulders to make sure I have the contacts for them.”

This year, the Saints have six players who’ve committed to NCAA schools. Rookie defenceman Ian Mitchell, who was named to the AJHL all-star team has committed to the University of Denver. Veteran blueliner Connor James is headed to the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Their top three scorers from this season, Tyler Busch, Brandon Biro and Colton Leiter are going to Arizona State, Penn State and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Goaltender Matthew Murray is going to UMass.

Most teams going through that kind of turnover in a season are headed for a rebuild, but not the Saints. They just continue to reload.

“When Steve left to join the Oil Kings, I interviewed Jason, and I could just see something special,” said Saints owner/governor Darren Myshak. “The program has just taken off under Jason.”

There have been several players come through their system. Kevin Connauton, Ben Scrivens and Taylor Fedun have all played games in the National Hockey League. There’s also been a large group of players like Brandon Hickey, who attends Boston College and represented Canada at the World Juniors this past December.

Local products Bryce Van Brabant, David Glen and many others have also made their mark in the NCAA ranks.

“It’s not just about the NHL guys, we have a lot of guys playing in elite colleges now and making their way into the minor pro ranks and it’s nice to see,” said McKee.

“This league helped me get my start, and it’s nice to be able to help get these kids an opportunity to reach their goals.”

SAINTS TAKE GAME 1 OF NORTH FINAL

The Spruce Grove Saints made a strong statement against the Lloydminster Bobcats, this year’s Royal Bank Cup hosts, on Friday night at Grant Fuhr Arena.

The Saints once again spread their scoring around nicely in a 6-3 victory to take a 1-0 series lead in the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s North Division Final’s best-of-seven series.

Brandon Biro scored two goals, while Conner Lukan, Jake Mykitiuk and Riley Simpson added singles. Nick Quillan, Christian Lloyd and Brett Smythe scored the Bobcats goals.

Matthew Murray made 33 saves in the victory, while Alex Leclerc made 31 saves in the loss.

Game 2 is Saturday night, 7 p.m., in Spruce Grove.