A familiar last name will be suiting up for the Briercrest men’s hockey program this coming season as Alex Bechtold has committed to the team. His father, John Bechtold, coached the men’s hockey program for 17 seasons including their first seven in the ACAC (1997-2004).

Alex, who now calls Strathmore, Alberta home and most recently played for the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL, brings a wealth of experience from playing for multiple teams all over western Canada.

“I graduated from Strathmore High School, where I won awards in track,” he explained. “During high school I played for UFA Bisons midget AAA. Then, after high school I played for Canmore Eagles (AJHL). That summer I got traded to Dauphin Kings (MJHL) and then a month later I got traded to the North Battleford North Stars (SJHL). A month into the season I got traded to the Drumheller Dragons (AJHL), where we went on to win the AJHL South Championship, but lost in the final to the North Champions (scoring 12 points in 13 games those playoffs). That summer I got traded again, this time to the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL, before being traded a month into the season and finishing my junior career in Weyburn with the Red Wings (SJHL). This was my favourite group of guys I played with. I won Most Inspirational and Most Popular Player in Weyburn.”

Seeing as his father coached at Briercrest, Alex started hockey early.

“I started playing hockey at age three,” Alex said. “My favourite personal moment of my hockey career was in bantam when I scored the overtime winner in game three which put us up two games to one and we went on to win the championship.”

At 6’ 1” and 185 lbs, Bechtold will add size to the Briercrest forward corps this season, which is one aspect of many that excites Briercrest head coach Jamie Ramer.

“It’s exciting to have Alex commit to our school and hockey program,” Ramer explained. “It is encouraging to see players like Alex who have other great school and hockey opportunities know why Briercrest has a unique advantage and is a great choice for them. We are going to benefit from his experience and passion for the game as he will compete to win every night.”

Alex has had some unique travelling experiences and looks forward to continuing his adventures at Briercrest this fall!

“I enjoy fishing and camping and going hiking in the mountains, I just really enjoy the outdoors,” Bechtold said. “I'm planning to study education, and the goal is to become a teacher someday. One of my favourite trips I've done was I went over to Prague on a hockey mission trip. Also, in Grade 9 I went to Toronto and Quebec on a school trip and it was a trip I'll never forget. We went to the Hockey Hall of Fame, a Blue Jays game and the war museum.”

Briercrest athletics is excited to have another Bechtold on campus this coming school year!

For more information about the Briercrest Hockey team like the “Briercrest Hockey” facebook page.