Tyson Soloski, newly-named head coach of the Airdrie Xtreme, believes budding Cochrane hockey players shouldn't discount the idea of trying out for the Bantam 'AAA' Airdrie Xtreme.

With spring camp only a few weeks away, Soloski is gearing up for his new coaching position. He's hoping to see many Cochrane players at the June 14-16 camp.

"I really do believe that anyone eligible to try out should because it's a really good experience to see what it's like to play at the Triple-A level and explore the possibility of being part of the team this season or in the future," says Soloski.

Soloski, 26, grew up playing hockey in Cochrane. For four seasons, he was with the Cochrane Generals (2010-2014) before making the transition to coaching.

"When I was done playing, I definitely wanted to stay in the game and started to coach right away and found a really big passion for it. I love it, it's a lot of fun."

He was an assistant coach at the midget AA level and then spent two years as the Bantam AA head coach for the Bow Valley Timberwolves. He was head coach of the Midget AA Timberwolves that won the 2017-18 North Division Championship. That is a season he cherishes and is proud of what the team accomplished.

"It was a really good group of kids and it was a lot of fun to be part of it."

Last season, he was an assistant coach with the AC Avalanche.

Soloski sees coaching the Xtreme as an opportunity to expand upon his coach skills.

"I think it's a really cool opportunity to coach at the highest level in an age group," he says. "I'm excited to go out and learn lots and hopefully help the kids develop and continue to improve in their hockey career and path."

While serving as an assistant coach at Hockey Alberta's Peewee Prospect Cup he saw some of the players that might be trying out for the Xtreme. He's expecting to see 50 to 60 players at the spring camp and a large number at the team tryouts at the end of August.

In the end, the Xtreme will be carrying 19 on its roster: 11 forwards, six D and two goalies.

The Airdrie Cochrane Athletic Association also announced the return of Terry Sydoryk as the head coach of the Airdrie-Cochrane (AC) Avalanche and Dustin Taylor as head coach of the Airdrie CFR Chemicals Bisons. Both are in their second consecutive seasons with their respective clubs.

Sydoryk coached the Avs to a Sutter Cup in 2013 during a previous five-year tenure with the team.