Cochrane's Ty Mueller and the rest of the Sherwood Crusaders are ready to get back to business tonight in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).

"It's awesome," says Mueller, who's on the NHL Central Scouting watch list. "I can't wait, a lot of the guys here can't wait. We've been practicing for a couple of weeks now, and every one of them has been high energy. The boys are having fun, and they're looking forward to getting on the ice."

It will be the Crusaders' first game since the AJHL halted play in November just four games into the 20-21  campaign. They now take on the Bonnyville Pontiacs for eight consecutive games before changing cohorts.

"They're a pretty tough team. They play pretty gritty and have a pretty good defensive game, so it will be a tough few games. We'll have to battle hard if we want to come up with the wins."

Exactly which north division cohort they will join next hasn't been announced yet. No matter who they face, Mueller says the competition will be stiff.

"All the north teams are all pretty strong. Even last year, it was always a battle between the north teams."

The league isn't currently allowing spectators at their games, but you can catch all the action on Hockey TV.

Having just turned 18, the forward started playing triple 'A' minor hockey with Bantam Airdrie Xtreme. He was part of the Xtreme's provincial championship team in the 2017-18 season.

He skipped playing for the AC Avalanche and went directly to the major midget Airdrie Bisons for one season. Late that season, Mueller joined the AJHL Okotoks Oilers for a couple of games before becoming a Crusader. 

"I didn't know where I was going to play. It was still up in the air at the start of the year. Then I got a call to come to spring camp, so I came and liked what I saw. Everyone was good, it seemed like it was a close team, and that's what drew me to Sherwood Park."

He was named to the all-rookie team of the AJHL's north division and says it was an honour to be selected. He had 31 points that season.

The Crusaders were on top of the AJHL's north division before the league playoffs were called off a year ago today (Mar. 12, 2020). 

"We probably could have gone pretty far into the playoffs, and it was pretty disappointing when it got shut down right before it started."

Adam Manah has been head coach of the Crusaders since 2016 and says it was indeed one for the books.

"The players that we had, how close we were, and what we were able to accomplish, yeah, it was pretty special. It was one of those years as a coach, let alone being a player, that you look back on and you might say that year was the year. Those don't come along too often."

This fall, the Crusaders got off to a slow start after a strong pre-season. Manah believes the pause has given the team to make some adjustments.

"It's going to be a brand new start for us going into our next eight games against Bonnyville. We're just looking forward to playing games, and having that competitive feel back."

He says they do have a deep-rooted rivalry with the Pontiacs that will make for an exciting series.

While it hasn't been a typical year, Manah says the season remains important for players looking to take the next step.

"This year is still important for a lot of our players to get on the radar of Division One schools, or walk-up fields. In Ty Mueller's case, he's on the NHL draft radar, so it's going to be an important two months for him, as well, to make sure he's having success and playing well."

Manah says Mueller was a solid fit for the team at age 16. Since then he's added 11 pounds of solid weight, tipping the scale at 195 lbs., is over 6 feet tall, and continues to advance his game.

"He's big, strong and he can skate, so those are three big characteristics you need if you're going to be on the draft radar. On top of that, his play speaks for itself. When he has the puck, he's more of a setup guy, but he's been trying to evolve his game to be a scorer as well."

"The biggest thing that probably impresses not only us but a lot of NHL scouts is his play away from the puck.

"Playing the centre position is a tough one. You really have to be smart, you really have to control the ice, and Ty does that very well."

He also wears an 'A' for the club.

Mueller has committed to join the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, something that may happen as early as next season.

"It just depends on how this year goes," says Mueller. "If I keep up my game and keep playing to my full potential, I think I have a good shot at going down to the States next year."

The Mavericks had been scouting Mueller before approaching him when he turned 16.

"I went down, saw the facilities, saw what they're doing with their team. The team seems like it's going to be on the rise over the next few years. They've had a pretty solid season so far this year."