The Brooks Bandits have captured the Dave Duchak Trophy as the 2021-22 Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) Regular Season Champions for the fifth time in franchise history. The annual league award is in the namesake of David Duchak, the first Commissioner of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The Bandits clinched the Dave Duchak Trophy previously in 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17 and 2018-19 and continued on to win the AJHL Title as Inter Pipeline Cup Champions in all four seasons.
Brooks completed the 2021-22 regular season with a record of 52-6-2 (W-L-OTL) and 106 points. The Bandits will enter the AJHL Record Book tied for the third in the category of Most Wins in a Single Season with 52, behind the 2012-13 Bandits (53 wins) and 2018-19 Bandits (57 wins). With just six losses, the Bandits are tied for sixth overall for Fewest Losses in a Single Season. The 2021-22 Bandits will also enter the AJHL Record Book tied for fourth with 106 points in the category of Most Points in a Single Season.
Brooks led the AJHL with 371 goals for and 130 goals against, placing them second in the League Record Book behind the 1972-73 Calgary Canucks (439 Goals For).
The Bandits compiled a record setting 37-game unbeaten streak (36 wins, 1 OT loss) from September 24th, 2021 – January 7th, 2022. The team also compiled a 27-game win streak on home ice from October 2nd, 2021 – February 21st, 2022.
Two-time AJHL Coach of the Year Ryan Papaioannou is a finalist for the 2022 AJHL Coach of the Year Award. Three Bandits players are also nominated for League Awards in four categories.
The CJHL Top 20 Weekly Ranking has listed the Brooks Bandits as number one since November 1st, 2021. The weekly rankings are compiled during the season by an independent scouting service and represent the nine Junior A leagues from Alberta to the Maritimes.
The Brooks Bandits have earned a bye in Round One of the 2022 Inter Pipeline AJHL Playoffs, which begin on Friday, March 4th. The top seven teams in each division qualify for the AJHL Playoffs with the highest ranked seed awarded home ice advantage. A complete schedule for the 2022 Inter Pipeline AJHL Playoffs will be announced on February 28th.