For some, junior hockey is the satisfying end to a career of minor hockey, while for others it signals the beginning of even more success on the ice.
While Alberta hockey players are turning heads across the United States on campuses, the Wisconsin Superior Yellowjackets are benefiting from some Dragon power.
The Division 3 NCAA team has a healthy roster of Alberta skaters who are tearing up the ice in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA). Most notable is former Dragons Talon Berlando and Braden Desmet.
Last week Desmet was named to the All-NCHA Team, while Talon was an honourable mention. Former Dragon Joey Martini, who plays for the College of St. Scholastica also received an honorable mention.
“Talon is really doing awesome,” says his father Darrell Berlando. “Basically this is what I always wanted to see him do. To go on to the States and play college hockey. After if he wants to keep playing, he can go to Europe. And then coming back here at 26 years old he has a pretty good resume with a college degree.
Currently Talon has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points for the Yellowjackets going into the playoffs. The team finished the season in first place in the NCHA, and last weekend won their first series in the quarterfinals against Lake Forest. Talon was right in the action. This weekend they are onto round two against St. Norbert’s
The Yellowjackets is a squad rife with AJHL alumni, and according to Darrell, the team continues to look north to fill in the roster, including possibly more selections from the Drumheller Dragons.
This is Talon’s second year with the Yellowjackets. Many will remember Talon’s fast and fearless style of hockey with the Dragons. The forward wasn’t the top scorer, but he provided a leadership spark on the ice, and tenacity. In his final season with the Dragons, he had 12 goals, 12 assists, and 116 PIM in only 39 games.
The Yellowjackets is a squad rife with AJHL alumni, and according to Darrell, the team continues to look north to fill in the roster, including possibly more selections from the Drumheller Dragons.
This is Talon’s second year with the Yellowjackets. Many will remember Talon’s fast and fearless style of hockey with the Dragons. The forward wasn’t the top scorer, but he provided a leadership spark on the ice, and tenacity. In his final season with the Dragons, he had 12 goals, 12 assists, and 116 PIM in only 39 games.
Not only is he burning up the ice, he is also hitting the books. The sophomore is studying business.
“He’s made the Dean’s Honour Roll so school’s going good,” says Darrell.
Darrell and the family have been able to make it down to Superior, a town on the shores of Lake Superior, to see him play. He says this year, if the team makes it to the “Frozen 4”, the national championship, he will head to Lake Placid to watch.
Darrell said after his career with Yellowjackets, he is exploring playing hockey in Europe. Desmet’s brother currently enjoys a career across the pond.
Darrell said he is thankful for many of the individuals who made Talon’s career a success. For the Dragons, he played under the coaching of Len Desmet, and management of Jim Marshall, as well as the Hegberg coaching team and manager Doug Hergenhein. Playing for the Three Hills Thrashers, he also received guidance from Reid Fenton.
“He’s made the Dean’s Honour Roll so school’s going good,” says Darrell.
Darrell and the family have been able to make it down to Superior, a town on the shores of Lake Superior, to see him play. He says this year, if the team makes it to the “Frozen 4”, the national championship, he will head to Lake Placid to watch.
Darrell said after his career with Yellowjackets, he is exploring playing hockey in Europe. Desmet’s brother currently enjoys a career across the pond.
Darrell said he is thankful for many of the individuals who made Talon’s career a success. For the Dragons, he played under the coaching of Len Desmet, and management of Jim Marshall, as well as the Hegberg coaching team and manager Doug Hergenhein. Playing for the Three Hills Thrashers, he also received guidance from Reid Fenton.