If that large body churning up and down the ice for the Cochrane Generals in the pre-season looks vaguely familiar, you’re paying attention.
Andrew Bergmann, last season’s Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) scoring leader with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings, is suiting up for the Generals this season.
At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, the big-boned 21-year-old power forward with the big smile is hard to miss. He pursues every loose puck like it’s the last one he’ll ever see, and opposing players are usually seen flying through the air or flat on their backsides when skating in his space.
The kid can play.
He could have skated anywhere, including with the senior men’s AAA Innisfail Eagles. The Eagles won the AA provincial championship last season and moved up to AAA this year to chase an Allan Cup senior men’s national title.
So why Junior B in Cochrane?
“I have a good relationship with (Generals head coach) Evan McFeeters. I have a lot of respect for him, so I thought I’d come and play for him,” Bergmann said of choosing the Generals. “I talked to Evan quite a bit this summer and came to camp and loved what I see here. I love the style, so I couldn’t say no to playing here.”
Bergmann, who led the HJHL with 43 goals and 47 assists in 35 games last season, came available when Strathmore failed to ice an HJHL team this year.
Generals rookie head coach Evan McFeeters couldn’t be happier.
“I plan on starting him at centre on the first line,” McFeeters said. “He’s more comfortable at wing, but we’re pretty thin down the middle right now, so we’re going to try him at centre and see how it goes.”
Bergmann said high player turnover and over-worked team officials led to the Wheatland Kings taking a knee this season. Cochrane ousted Strathmore in the opening round of the HJHL playoffs last spring.
“I think they just wanted to take a year off to regroup and come back.”
So he’s here instead.
“Just here to help out the team any way I can,” Bergmann said. “If I have to put up points, I’ll put up points. If I have to fight, I’ll fight. Anything to help the team out.”
He helped out in his lone Generals pre-season game, scoring twice and adding an assist in a 3-3 tie with Mountainview Colts Sept. 15 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
And he’s monitoring the situation in Innisfail. The temptation to play on a potential Allan Cup team is strong.
“It’s in the back of my mind, for sure. I don’t want to think about it too much,” Bergmann admitted. “I know a guy like Brian Sutter, who coaches the team, you’re obviously going to get great players and great systems.
“I’m hoping to affiliate with them this year and maybe get some games in still.”
To that end, he’s just ready to play hockey.
“I’m good to go,” he stated. “I train all year round.”
