Red Deer College has formally announced that it will start the process to once again ice an ACAC team.
Previously, the Kings collected 11 first place finishes and eight championships between 1968 and 2004. In addition to their success in the ACAC, RDC appeared in six CCAA National Championship Finals and won three of them. (Earlier this year, the three CCAA National Championship squads -- the '76-77, '78-79, and '79-80 Kings -- were inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.) RDC also captured three 4-West Championships.
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Over 36 seasons, a number of noteworthy players and coaches were a part of the Kings organization. Garth Premak and Derek Johnstone both played with Canada's National Team after donning an RDC jersey. Mike Babcock, who coached the Kings for three seasons, is entering his seventh season as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. Ray Bennett, who guided the Kings for two campaigns, is starting his sixth season as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues. Bill Peters, who played a season with the Kings, is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings.
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Earlier this year, RDC established the Athletic Leadership Fund which would be built as an endowment to sustain athletic programs on a long term basis.
As for a home venue, there are essentially three options -- the Red Deer Arena, the Centrium and a new facility in Penhold. In January, Red Deer College will present a report on a proposed new health and wellness center which will include plans for an on campus arena.
The first step for a 2013-14 return is to make an application to the ACAC prior to November 15th. |
