Wed Sep 18 23:13:37 UTC 2024: ## Innisfail Eagles Soar into New Era with NCHL

**INNISFAIL** – After years of uncertainty, the Innisfail Eagles, Canada’s oldest standing senior hockey team, are entering a new chapter with their move to the North Central Hockey League (NCHL). The Eagles, who have been a fixture in the local hockey scene for 77 years, will finally see a change in their opponents.

General Manager and co-head coach Ryan Dodd, a long-time Eagle, expressed his excitement about the team’s future in the NCHL. “People are really excited,” said Dodd. “All nine home games will have a different team.” He added that the roster is stacked with local talent, including returning players Josh Gette, Riley Simpson, and Dan Vandermeer.

The Eagles are joining a healthy league with nine other teams, a welcome change from the struggles of the AAA Chinook Hockey League (CHL), which saw only two teams competing last season. This move also means the Eagles will be able to focus on their local rivalries, including the Red Deer Rustlers, Lacombe Generals, and of course, the Stony Plain Eagles.

While Dodd is optimistic about the season, the team will be focusing on a different trophy this year. The Eagles, currently on probation for their inaugural season in the NCHL, will be vying for the President’s Cup for the regular season champion and the Vanberg Cup for the playoff winner. The pursuit of the Allan Cup, the national senior men’s hockey championship, will be put on hold for now.

“I was told to stop chasing the Allan Cup,” said Dodd. “The league does not want triple A hockey involved.”

Despite this disappointment, Dodd is confident in the Eagles’ ability to compete in the NCHL. “I think we’ll be very competitive in the league,” he said. “These players have had it hard over the last few years with playing one team over and over.”

The Innisfail Eagles are ready to take flight in the NCHL, embracing a new chapter in their storied history. With a roster full of local talent and a league that is brimming with competition, the team is poised for a successful and exciting season.

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