Eight Cochrane hockey players are among those named to the roster for the Airdrie CFR Bisons of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL).

Six veteran Cochrane players are returning to the lineup and include Damon Agyeman, Dean Olenyk, Caleb Willms Nick De Beurs, Tyler Mueller and Jacob Cathcart. They're being joined by rookies Sam Kroon and Riley Aspin.

The Airdrie CFR Bisons. (Photo courtesy of the Bisons)

Bisons head coach Dustin Taylor said there were some tough decisions to make in deciding upon the final roster.

"It was a long process and took three weeks to narrow down our selections. Overall, very impressed with the character and talent within the overall association. It made the decisions at the end of the process very difficult for those that we decided to release as opposed to keep but very excited about the team we put together.”

Taylor said he’s happy with the dynamic group that the coaching staff has put together.

“It is exciting to have some individuals on the team who have a fresh memory of what it takes to be successful and at the highest level that they were at. I think it adds a very strong dynamic to the team that we put together.”

The Bisons begin their regular season this weekend as they face the Flames in Calgary on Saturday (September 29th) before their home opener against the Buffaloes on Sunday.

Taylor is excited to get the year going and hopes that the community will share in the excitement.

“My hope is that we can start attracting more fans into the building at Ron Ebbesen to get more of a following this year and out to watch some games.”

The Bisons open their season on the road Saturday night against the Calgary Flames before hosting the Calgary Buffalos in Airdrie on Sunday.

Unfortunately, we don't get to see the talented group from Cochrane play here regularly but the team is holding an exhibition game here in December as a warmup for the Mac's AAA Midget Hockey Tournament.