The Âé¶čAV Chiefs are having their best seasons in the history of the franchise.
The Chiefs are the top team in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with 42 wins and only two regulation losses in the season and Âé¶čAV is looking to win the league championships for the first time to repay the loyal Rutland fans.
âIn Rutland, weâre so proud, and the Chiefs are Rutlandâs team. Our record has been something Iâd never believe in my wildest dreams,â said Âé¶čAV Chiefs game day manager Alex Draper. âThe people who follow us, they know our record, but when I tell people who donât know, they look at you like âwhat did you just say?â The support from Rutland has been record setting and unbelievable. Itâs been fantastic.â
The Chiefs will conclude their season with two back-to-back games this weekend. With a win in either game, the Chiefs will clinch the top seed in the entire KIJHL and have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Âé¶čAV will get only a few days of break before the KIJHL playoffs kick off Feb. 26. The Chiefs will either host Princeton or Osoyoos in the first round.
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Draper said that when the season started, the Chiefs had no idea theyâd have such an incredible season.
âWhen the season started, my thoughts were just to start strong, and win the home opener. But we (started winning). Itâs not the same team from last year, and the bar has been raised. We want to go into the playoffs on all cylinders.â
The Chiefs celebrate their last regular season home games starting Feb. 22 against a tough match from Revelstoke. The Chiefs will celebrate one of their Mental Health Dayâs, where they recognize mental health advocates in the community and are also giving away a new Ford F-150 courtesy of Orchard Ford.
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