Fernie Ghostriders alum McCoy Bidewell (2020-22) completed his second season in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Ooks. Bidewell joined the Ooks after spending nearly two seasons in the BCHL with the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
After going 8-7-0 during the regular season with a 3.87 goals against average and a .905 save percentage, the Grande Prairie, Alta. native went 1-2 in the playoffs, with a 3.88 GAA and a .894 SP as the Ooks lost in the first round.
KIJHL communications director Emanuel Sequeira connected with Bidewell to talk about his season and time in the KIJHL.
KIJHL: What was this season like for you?
MB: It’s been good. It’s definitely a lot easier going into my second year of schooling. Once you get into school you have more responsibilities right, you have a career that you focus on to develop for. It’s definitely a wake up call coming back to school after being out of it for four years, but I figured that out last year and then this year. The transition was much easier with school as my main focus and hockey as the fun aspect of it.
KIJHL: The season just ended for your team, losing to Concordia University Edmonton in three games. How did you feel that you performed in the playoffs?
MB: Good. We won the first game 5-4 in overtime so it was definitely a big confidence booster. It didn’t go the way my team wanted it, but you can learn from everything. It sucks that this is back-to-back years we’ve lost to Concordia now. It’s definitely a tough blow, but it’s something I think we’ll come back better next year.
KIJHL: Where would you say you saw the biggest improvements in how you played?
MB: I think I’ve always played a very, very aggressive style and it’s worked for a long time. I’ve really gained maturity in my game. I wasn’t getting caught out and was a more calming presence for my team. It’s allowed me to still be the competitive, challenging goalie I am.
KIJHL: What are your impressions of the talent level in the ACAC?
MB: It’s a pretty competitive league. Any team can win and you have to show up and play every night. A lot of people probably take it for granted or haven’t really seen the speed of it.
KIJHL: How do you find being a student-athlete in the ACAC?
MB: It’s really great. They tone back the games playing a 24 game schedule, which is needed.
We play Friday, Saturday and as much as you’d love to be on top of your school, you end up cramming it all in on Sunday as well. It’s definitely a grind at times. I’m in a pretty tough program (Instrumentation Engineering Technology) so managing the class time with hockey has its days.My program is two years and I’m in my third semester as I started at Christmas time last year, so I’ll graduate at Christmas next year. Then I’ll take some classes for the last semester to finish up my career.
KIJHL: What was your time with the Ghostriders and in the KIJHL like?
MB: It was unique and great. We didn’t end up playing a single game my first year because of COVID-19, but I made some really good buddies. I came back the next year, played 12 games. I say it to a lot of people still now, it’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey.
I kind of grew up in the mountains where I love going snowmobiling and snowboarding. My first year there I got a job at the Snowmobile Association and brought my skidoo. I was working and practicing and riding my sled every other day. It worked out perfectly. Living in that kind of atmosphere, surrounded by the mountains and that small town feel was such a unique experience on its own. Even the crowd – I’ve never had my name chanted before. It was something that I’ll never forget.
KIJHL: How did they help you with your development that allowed you to advance to the next level?
MB: With not playing games that first year, we practiced a lot and it gets repetitive when you’re not playing. I just went out and had fun. You come to practice, hang out with the guys and we have a nice gym. I spent a lot of time there and worked on myself. Coming into the following year, I had a lot of confidence. I think the crowd and atmosphere, it just made everything that much better and I ended up playing really well and got noticed.
KIJHL: What message would you give to players considering playing in the KIJHL?
MB: It’s good for all these young kids to get out of the house and move into billet houses. The maturity that I gained when I was 17 or 18, the billet situation there was great. It allowed me to grow up really fast. It’s a special place that will always have a lasting impact on my life. I’ve been back once or twice already now since being there, and I’d never heard of it before.
The Ooks have other KIJHL alumni in Sean Mitchell (Princeton Posse), Cole Fisher (Ghostriders), and Blake Astorino (Osoyoos Coyotes).
