As Hometown Hockey hits Airdrie this weekend (December 16-17), we look back at the players, coaches, trainers and unsung heroes that shaped Airdrie's Hockey history.

Sam McKechnie spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League from 2011-2015, playing for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Seattle Thunderbirds and Saskatoon Blades.

Before that, McKechnie was a part of a team that made himself and the rest of Airdrie proud.

"Winning Westerns in Airdrie with Bantam AAA Xtreme. That was something really special for us, we won it in Weyburn. A great group of guys, I still talk to and still play against."

That 2009 Xtreme team featured other prominent local players including Anthony Paskaruk, Lenny Hackman and Spenser Jensen, who plays with McKechnie for the University of Lethbridge.

"The Airdrie connection is always nice," said McKechnie. "I live with him here too so it's just crazy, especially when you win with people and you grow up together, you'll always have that connection."

For McKechnie, who spent his entire hockey career in Airdrie, playing in the city was always memorable for him. The daily trips to the rink were just part of his hockey story, which he continued to build on and off the ice.

"It was really special, just being around the rink a ton, watching the Junior B Thunder play. Meeting friends there on a Friday night to watch hockey was really special."

McKechnie said the support of his teammates, coaches and family helped make the player and person he is today.

 

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