Brooks Bandits The Brooks Bandits are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League . They play in Brooks , Alberta at the Centennial Regional Arena , capacity 1 , 704 . History . The Brooks Bandits were awarded an expansion franchise by the AJHL in 1999 , and began play in the 2000 – 01 season . The first ever franchise goal was scored by Chris Boyle just under a minute into the first regular - season game against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons . The franchise secured its expansion fee through what they call " The Founding Fathers " , a group of 17 local businesses and individuals who donated the money needed to finance the team in exchange for lifetime benefits with the team . The early years . The first coach for the Brooks Bandits was Nolan Crouse . It was a struggle for the expansion Bandits for the first 4 years of existence , failing to make the Playoffs in all of those 4 years . The bright spots in those years included a young Curtis Glencross , Jeff Marler , and Wade Richardson . The tables started to turn in 2004 when the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves took a leave of absence for one year before relocating to Okotoks . With the players from Crowsnest pass needing a place to play for that season , they were scattered throughout the AJHL , with the likes of Judd Blackwater , and Neil Graham coming to Brooks . Under the coaching of Kevin Higo , and players such as Brendan Connolly , Spencer Machacek , Ben Wright , and the goaltending of Chad Johnson , the Bandits , for the first time , advanced to the AJHL playoffs . In 2008 , after 3 successful years , Higo accepted an assistant coaching position with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL . With the head coach / GM spot open , the Bandits hired former ECHL head coach , and former NHL tough guy Brian Curran . Curran brought a big , hard hitting , skillful team to Brooks . Led by Jarrett Granberg , and the strong goaltending of Rob Gunderson , the Bandits for the first time , finished 1st in the south before losing in round 3 of the playoffs to Grande prairie . Post Curran . On October 16 , 2009 , controversy started when Curran was unexpectedly released as Head Coach / General Manager of the Bandits . Curran ' s assistant Ryan Papaioannou , was hired as the team ' s head coach and general manager . That season the Bandits struggled , finishing 5th in the south division , leading to an early 2nd round playoff exit . That season , on January 20 , 2010 , the Bandits moved from the cramped Centennial Arena in the Lakeside Leisure Centre , to the brand new Centennial Regional Arena . The bandits lost that game 5 - 3 to the Calgary Royals in front of 2 , 056 fans . Under Papaioannou , the 2010 / 11 season was very successful . Led by Matt Wilkins , Riley Simpson , and Cam Maclise , and the goaltending of Jan Oberneser , the Bandits finished 2nd in the south . Unfortunately for them , regular season success didn ’ t lead to playoff success ; as they were eliminated in the 2nd round by the Camrose Kodiaks in 7 games . Tragedy struck the team on July 5 , 2011 , when forward Nick Crosby was killed in a car accident returning home from a Bandits camp . Dominance years . After Crosby ’ s death , the Bandits dedicated the 2011 / 12 season in his honor . The Bandits had statistically their best season in franchise history , with a record of 47 - 7 - 8 . In the playoffs they cruised through the Calgary Canucks 4 games to none , and the Olds Grizzlys 4 games to none , allowing them to play for their first Enerfelx Cup championship , against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons . The Bandits won the series 4 games to 2 . In the Doyle Cup , the number 2 ranked Bandits took on the BCHL champs , and number one ranked Penticton Vees . Unfortunately for the Bandits the Vees were too much for the Bandits , defeating them 4 games to 1 . The Vees would eventually go on to win the 2012 Royal Bank Cup . It was a record setting year for the Bandits . They came out the gate flying , going 20 - 0 - 0 , before finally losing in Grande Prairie . The Bandits were one win short of tying the AJHL record for longest winning streak . The Bandits were led by captain Cam Maclise , Mark Reners , and Dakota Mason . The Bandits finished the regular season with a record of 53 - 4 - 3 , breaking the AJHL record for wins in season , and points in a season ( 109 ) . In all but one week ( week 1 ) , the Bandits were ranked as the number one team in Canada . In the playoffs , the Bandits took out the Drumheller Dragons , 4 games to 1 . Things got tough as they faced off against a hot Okotoks team in round 3 . The Bandits prevailed , winning the series 4 games to 3 , in a very tight and entertaining series . The Bandits defeated the Spruce Grove Saints , to win The Gas Drive Cup finals 6 - 5 in overtime of game 5 in Brooks in front of 2 , 688 fans . After the Gas Drive cup finals , the Bandits were off to Nanaimo , BC for the inaugural Western Canada Cup . The Bandits didn ' t play their best hockey during the tournament , including a 7 - 2 defeat at the hands of the host Clippers . But the Bandits still managed to finish first in the round robin , giving them a berth to play in the finals . They fell to the Surrey Eagles 4 - 1 , meaning they had to win the next night to advance to the RBC Cup . They beat the Yorkton Terriers by a score of 1 - 0 to move on . From there the Bandits traveled to Summerside , PEI for the RBC Cup . The Bandits cruised through the round robin , but faced some adversity vs the host Western Capitals as they lost 3 - 1 in a penalty filled game . In the playoffs , the Bandits faced off against the Minnesota Wilderness , winner goes to the final . The Bandits were 18 seconds away from going home , when Dakota Mason scored to tie the game and send it into overtime . In overtime , RJ Reed found Mark Reners in front of the net , and he buried it , sending the Bandits to the final . The Bandits then faced off against the host Summerside Western Capitals for the RBC Cup . Anthony Petruzelli , Dakota Mason , and Cam Maclise scored for Brooks , who won the game 3 - 1 , bringing home their first ever RBC Cup title . Shortly after the teams first RBC Cup championship , the Bandits signed 3 players from the Minnesota Wilderness , the same team that nearly knocked them out of the RBC Cup . Goaltender Gordy Defiel , Defenseman Nick McCormack , and forward Jake Larson . The 2013 / 14 season was one that was injury filled . Only 3 players ( Jake Larson , Alex Roberts , and Brandon Bruce ) finished the season having played in all 60 games . Key players such as Patrick Lee , Shane Pilling , Maddison Smiley , and Brandon Tkachuk all spent significant time on the injured list . Despite all the injuries , the Bandits still ended up finishing the regular season in 1st place in the south division , earning the first round bye for the playoffs . In the playoffs the Bandits faced off against the Olds Grizzlys in round 2 , with the bandits winning it 4 games to none . In round 3 the Bandits faced off against rival Drumheller , and familiar face Brian Curran . Drumheller was the better team in this series , and the outstanding play from goaltender Devin Buffalo helped the Dragons knock off the Bandits in 5 games . Season - by - season record . " Note : GP = Games played , W = Wins , L = Losses , T / OTL = Ties / Overtime losses , SOL = Shootout losses , Pts = Points , GF = Goals for , GA = Goals against " Western Canada Cup . Western Canada Championships * * " BCHL - OJHL AJHL - SJHL - MJHL - Host " * * Round robin play with 1st vs 2nd - winner advance to National Championship & loser to Runner Up Game3rd vs 4th in 2nd semi - final winner to Runner Up game loser eliminated . Runner Up game determines 2nd representative to National Championship . Competition began 2013 season . Notable alumni . These alumni are either currently playing or drafted into the National Hockey League , playing in college leagues , or playing in various minor pro leagues . St . Louis Blues prospect Ty Rattie played 2 regular season and 2 playoff games for the Bandits in the 2008 – 09 season as an affiliate player .