By TERRY PUGH
A decade ago, Nolan Doell of Martensville and Holden Knights of Warman were teammates on the powerhouse Bantam (U15) AA Sask Valley Vipers.
During the intervening years, their hockey career paths converged on several occasions as they both suited up for the U18AAA Beardy’s Blackhawks and the SJHL’s LaRonge Ice Wolves. (They also both played for the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs, though not during the same season.)
Ten years later, they’re still racking up points together in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) as members of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings in Red Deer Alberta. Doell is completing his four-year Bachelor of Education degree, while Knights will be finishing up his fourth year of studies in the college’s Business Certificate program.
And this year, they’re looking to finish off their college hockey careers by hoisting the Kings’ fourth-straight championship. The Kings won the ACAC championship trophy in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25; all seasons when Doell and Knights played key roles in the team’s success.
In 2025-26, the Kings are once again in the hunt for the title after finishing in first place during the regular season with a record of 20 wins and four losses. They’re taking on the second-ranked Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Trojans in a best-of-five series that concludes this coming weekend, with games slated for March 20, 21 and 22.
Despite dropping the first two games by narrow margins (7-6 on March 13 and 5-4 in double overtime on March 14), both Doell and Knights are confident the Kings can bounce back.
But, they’ll have to do it without Doell in the lineup. The league’s leading scorer, with 22 goals and 16 assists during the regular season, suffered an injury to his eye when he was hit by the puck during the March 13 game.
“It was kind of a freak accident,” said Doell in a phone interview March 18. “Their defenseman shot the puck and it deflected off one his teammates and came up and caught me just under the visor. I ended up having to go the hospital and didn’t play that third period.
“But, it’s healing up pretty good and I should be back to normal in a week or so. Unfortunately, I won’t be dressed for the last three games, but I’ll be there in the locker room giving them all my support.”
Knights said the team will feel Doell’s absence, but they’ll do their best to fill that gap.
“Nolan’s injury is really unfortunate,” said Knights. “But, we just have to stay committed to the goal we’ve been following all year and win the next three games, one shift at a time. We’ve got a good group of guys and we can do it.”
Doell said chasing a fourth consecutive championship has been “a pretty crazy ride” for the team, and he credits his teammates’ play-making abilities for his goal-scoring frequency this season.
‘I found my game this year,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by great hockey players as well. Every night when I put the skates on, my goal is to help the team in whatever way I can.”
Doell said playing competitive hockey while earning his college degree in education has been a great experience. He chose RDP because several of his friends from the SJHL were attending that institution and convinced him to sign up.
“I knew I wanted to pursue a career in education,” he said. “When I was younger, I helped out at hockey camps for kids and I found joy in helping them and teaching them. Plus, on my mom’s side of the family there’s a lot of teachers; and it seemed a natural fit.
“So I decided if I’m going to college, I want to play hockey, win championships, and have fun with my buddies.”
Shortly after Doell committed to RDP, Knights also came on board.
“We convinced him to come along,” said Doell. “A lot of the guys on the team knew each other from our SJHL days, and that helped everyone bond as a team.”
Knights confirmed that having friends on the team was a big factor in his decision to commit to RDP.
“It made it a really easy decision for me,” said Knights. “It’s turned out to be a great choice. We’ve had four great seasons. The big difference with college hockey is the focus on being a student-athlete as opposed to simply an athlete. School comes first because there’s a lot at stake.”
Knights said he chose the business certificate program because he felt it would provide him with essential skills for whatever career he chose after graduation. He noted he currently coaches youngsters in power-skating and is hoping to coach hockey at some point.
Doell said having long-time friend Knights on the same roster has made playing for the Kings a special experience.
“Playing with Holden is a special treat,” said Doell. “This is our fourteenth year playing together. We’ve been friends since we were kids. He’s an amazing hockey player; someone who’s really feared on the ice. He gives 100 per cent every time, and he’s a guy who really shows up when it’s crunch time.
“But, he’s also a great person off the ice. It’s been excellent sharing the majority of my career playing with him, and that’s something I’ll cherish, for sure.”
Knights said Doell is a great teammate and solid friend.
“It’s been awesome playing alongside Nolan over the years,” said Knights. “I think we’ve been fortunate to have played with each other as long as we have, and it would be really special to win another championship going into our last year of college hockey.”
Doell credits the coaches he had in minor hockey and the SJHL for helping him develop his potential as a player.
“I was fortunate to play for the Sask Valley Vipers for two years,” he said. “We made it to the provincial finals both years, but ended up losing to Yorkton both times. A lot of good hockey players came out of that program.”
Knights said he also has fond memories of playing U18AAA hockey in Beardy’s.
“Nolan and I and Ryland McNinch, who’s also one of our teammates on the RDP Kings this year, all car-pooled up to Beardy’s for games and practices,” said Knights. “I enjoyed those years a lot.”
Doell said the Junior A hockey program in Saskatchewan is underrated.
“The SJHL is a great league that doesn’t get enough credit sometimes,” he said. “It’s hard-nosed, fast-paced hockey, and it’s shaped me to become the player I am today. I wouldn’t have given up the SJHL experience for anything. I treasure the memories of my teammates and billet families.”
Doell said he’s also inspired by watching his younger brother, Holden Doell, pursue a college hockey career at a high level.
“My brother is playing NCAA Division 1 hockey at Ferris State University in Michigan,” said Doell. “It’s a treat to follow him and watch his growth over the years. There are guys in that league that are definitely going to make the NHL some day.”