Staff
Wetaskiwin Member of Parliament rose in the House of Commons last Wednesday and told the entire country what we’ve known all along – the Bentley Generals are a great source of pride for everyone in central Alberta in light of their recent Allan Cup championship.
“Bentley, Alberta is more than just a small town. It is home to the 2009 Allan Cup Champions. Since 1908, Canadian senior AAA hockey players have competed for Canada’s oldest, amateur hockey championship, the Allan Cup,” Calkins told the House. “For the third consecutive year, the Bentley Generals qualified to play in the Allan Cup tournament. They earned a berth in the national championship in a hard fought battle over the Fort St. John Flyers in the McKenzie Cup series.”
Along with some well-deserved praise for the team, Calkins also took the time to recognize a few individuals along with the General’s dedicated fans, hundreds of whom traveled to Steinbach, Manitoba to catch the action live.
“With two goals from Ryan Manitowich, the Generals trailed Manitoba's South East Prairie Thunder 3-2 until 8:03 of the third period when Captain, Kent Beagle scored a short-handed goal to set up the exciting finale. Both teams battled through double overtime until Diarmuid Kelly scored and secured the title for the Generals,” he said. “Along with the legions of enthusiastic fans from across central Alberta who come out in droves to cheer on the Generals, I know everyone in the House will join me in congratulating Coach Brian Sutter and the members of 2008-2009 Bentley Generals for clinching this victory and bringing the Allan Cup home to Bentley.”