Season number five in the young history of the Cranbrook Bucks has come and gone, and the boys are holding their heads high after putting together a season to remember.
Yes, the goal of hoisting the Fred Page Cup will have to wait at least one more year, but the team managed to put together several franchise benchmarks through 2024-25 while setting a solid foundation for the season ahead.
Of the many highlights from last season including Rasmus Svartstrom’s BCHL-leading 46 goals, Sam Lyne’s selection to Team Great Britain for the World Junior Championships, an 8-0 start to the season (including a 9-0 victory at home in the season opener), the one that stands out most will likely be the team’s first playoff triumph with their six-game first round victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters.
This year’s squad also boasted several players who inked commitments to continue their hockey careers at the NCAA Division 1 level. Most recently, playmaker forward Jacob Fletcher announced his commitment to Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. He joins a list of several other skaters who inked commitments this year which includes Bryce Sookro, Rasmus Svartstrom and Kaslo Ferner. Several other members of the 2024-25 Bucks roster had signed their commitments in past seasons or with other junior hockey programs.
The past campaign also marked the end of the road in terms of junior hockey for seven of our 20-year-olds, on that list are mainstays Bryce Sookro, Blake Cotton, Jacob Fletcher, Shane Baker, Nick Capasso and newcomer Sam Ranallo.
A strong crop of returnees are eligible for next year’s squad which could mean a third season in the green and white for Sam Hynes, Kaslo Ferner, Jordan Murray, Nic Leggett, Malachi Freh and several others. They will be relied upon to lead the charge with a nucleus of incoming recruits when training camp rolls around in August.
The Cranbrook Bucks wish to thank its players, coaches, staff and fans for a great season on and off the ice. We look forward to getting back to our chase for Fred Page Cup glory in September!
