Brooks Bandits
| Brooks Bandits | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Brooks, Alberta |
| League | Alberta Junior Hockey League |
| Division | South |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Home arena | Centennial Regional Arena |
| Colours | Red, Blue and White |
| General manager | Ryan Papaioannou |
| Head coach | Ryan Papaioannou |
The Brooks Bandits are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play in Brooks, Alberta at the Centennial Regional Arena, seating capacity: 1,794; standing room: 500, total: 2,294.
The Brooks Bandits were awarded an expansion franchise by the AJHL in 1999, and began play in the 2000–01 season. The first ever franchise goal was scored by Chris Boyle just under a minute into the first regular-season game against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. The franchise secured its expansion fee through what they call "The Founding Fathers", a group of 17 local businesses and individuals who donated the money needed to finance the team in exchange for lifetime benefits with the team.
The first coach for the Brooks Bandits was Nolan Crouse. It was a struggle for the expansion Bandits for the first 4 years of existence, failing to make the Playoffs in all of those 4 years. The bright spots in those years included a young Curtis Glencross, Jeff Marler, and Wade Richardson. The tables started to turn in 2004 when the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves took a leave of absence for one year before relocating to Okotoks.
With the players from Crowsnest pass needing a place to play for that season, they were scattered throughout the AJHL, with the likes of Judd Blackwater, and Neil Graham coming to Brooks. Under the coaching of Kevin Higo, and players such as Brendan Connolly, Spencer Machacek, Ben Wright, and the goaltending of Chad Johnson, the Bandits, for the first time, advanced to the AJHL playoffs.
In 2008, after 3 successful years, Higo accepted an assistant coaching position with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL. With the head coach/GM spot open, the Bandits hired former ECHL head coach, and former NHL tough guy Brian Curran.
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