Introducing the Foothills Storm!

The chill of defeat lingered in the hearts of the U18 Okotoks A team as they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals of the Alberta Provincial Tournament. Many of the graduating players, passionate and determined, found themselves unprepared to simply hang up their skates and settle for recreational hockey. Little did they know that their journey was far from over, and their resilience would lead to the birth of a new hockey force in the area—the Foothills Storm.

Taking the reins on this mission stood Darcy Williams, the head coach of the U18 team. Refusing to let his players succumb to the disheartenment of their defeat, he embarked on the journey to find a suitable league for them to continue their competitive journey. Word had spread of a Junior league in the vicinity, which piqued Darcy's interest, sparking a flicker of hope. Darcy wasted no time and reached out to the league, hoping to understand the process of applying for a team. His inquiry brought him in contact with Rob Nelson, the Vice President of the AJFHL. The league officials were immediately intrigued by Darcy's proposal, recognizing the strength of the hockey program in the Okotoks area and the potential for unwavering community support.

Countless meetings, phone calls, and emails ensued as Darcy and Rob worked tirelessly together, weaving their passion and determination into a bid for approval from the league. Although Darcy had a solid foundation of players from the Okotoks area and the unwavering backing of a strong parent group, there was a hurdle to overcome—the team was short of meeting the league's player requirements.

However, fate intervened in early June when the Calgary Jags unexpectedly withdrew their team from the AJFHL. At this critical juncture, Rob Nelson, a former Jags Assistant Coach, approached the Foothills group, bringing with him ten former Jags players. This influx of talent solidified the Foothills team, propelling them beyond the league's requirements and breathing life into their aspirations. Following Rob and Darcy into this new journey are several Jags alumni and a strong Parent group from Okotoks Minor, who are now helping to coach and support the team to continue their love and passion for the game.

Thus, the Foothills Storm was born, combining several of the prior Jags players and many freshly graduated U18 players. With a potent mix of determination, skill, and unwavering spirit, the Storm is poised to become a formidable force in the league.