Four former Flin Flon Bombers are trying to help the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans men’s hockey team to a successful season.
Dean Allison, Parker Evans-Campbell, Erik Pedersen and Kurtis Rutledge are all playing for the Calgary-based school, each with playing key roles for the Trojans.
Allison, who suited up for the Bombers in 2013-2015, is the team’s captain this season. It is his fourth year at SAIT and head coach Brent Devost’s first. The Trojans bench boss said he has enjoyed having the stability of the leadership Allison provides. Devost said that Allison leads by example and is well respected.
“He is one of the best leaders that I’ve ever had,” said Devost, who has taught and coached at a variety of levels.
As well as leadership, the Trojans count on Allison, a forward from Surrey, B.C., for points production. As of Sunday, he was tied for the team lead with 21 points in 14 games. Allison has seven goals this season.
“He is a pure goal scorer… He does a lot offensively, but he is a 200-foot player,” Devost said.
The coach noted that Allison is an important penalty killer for SAIT.
“He is a very key piece to our puzzle… If you need a goal, you’ll call on him. If you need a penalty kill, you’ll call on him.”
Evans-Campbell is a “hard-nosed, tough guy” who plays with an edge, Devost said. He has helped the Trojans by playing both centre and right wing. On the season, Evans-Campbell has nine goals and 15 points. As he is known as a strong defensive forward, Devost said, “the guys have been pleasantly surprised with how Parker is chipping in (offensively).”
A High River product, Evans-Campbell played in Flin Flon in 2013-2015. After aging out of junior hockey, he spent a year at Minot (N.D.) State University and a season playing senior AAA hockey in Innisfail. This is his second season at SAIT.
Airdrie’s Pedersen has been on a hockey journey that has led him to a familiar face. Devost knew Pedersen when both were at the Edge School near Calgary. After his time there he embarked on a junior career with four teams, including Flin Flon from 2013 to 2015. Pedersen capped his junior days in Whitecourt. He then played a season each at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the State University of New York - Geneseo.
Pedersen has found a home at SAIT in his first season in Calgary. He has three goals and 14 points this season.
“Erik is a super offensive guy,” Devost said. “We rely on Erik for his offence. He is a good playmaker. He is lightning quick. He is strong… He is pretty gifted in terms of his hands… and in how he sees the ice.”
Rutledge played 12 games with the Bombers early last season after spending the last two full years in the Western Hockey League.
He finished last season playing in Grande Prairie. at SAIT, the Calgary defenceman has a goal and four points.
