The Airdrie Bisons now know who they'll be matched up with at the 40th Annual Mac's Midget Hockey Tournament after the teams were announced yesterday (December 13th).

The Bisons have been invited to the tournament almost every year, but this will be different with the team now in Airdrie.

"It's going to be honestly, a new experience for everybody involved including myself," says Head Coach Dan Gendur, "Really looking forward to the opportunity to play in this historic tournament and more so for the players. It's a great experience for them all, they're going to cherish it for a long time."

Gendur says the team will be doing their best to prepare for the tournament once their league games wrap up.

The Bisons have been placed in Pool 5 for this year's Mac's Midget Hockey Tournament.

"Right now we're focused on our two league games coming up this weekend. Next week we'll be doing a lot of preparation for what we're going to face in the Mac's."

The Bisons won't be the only Airdrie connection at the Mac's Tournament this year as local player and Edmonton Oil Kings prospect Jake Neighbours will be there with the Calgary Buffaloes.

"It's a pretty big tournament, a lot of teams come here, a lot of high end," says Neighbours, "I'm looking forward to the competition. It's going to be like playoff hockey but early. I'm excited to compete and have a good tournament hopefully."

Neighbours says that he's proud to be representing his city at the event, despite wearing a different jersey.

"Obviously Airdrie has a team but to be an Airdrie guy on a Calgary team and to have a good tournament would be huge and pretty cool as well."

Neighbours and the Buffaloes will be grouped in Pool 3 along with the Cariboo Cougars, Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, Knights of Columbus Pats and the Swift Current Legionnaires.

The Airdrie Bisons are in Pool 5 with the Calgary Northstars, the Ontario Jr. Reign, Regina Pat Canadians and the Valley West Hawks.

The Mac's Tournament begins on Boxing Day and wraps up on January 1st.

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