Two Kootenay Ice alumni are currently slugging in out against each other in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, as Jarret Stoll and his L.A. Kings clash against Adam Cracknell and the rest of the St. Louis Blues.
The two never played together in the same year—Stoll graduated to the AHL just as Cracknell began his rookie season in the WHL with the Ice.
Stoll spent four full seasons with the Kootenay Ice, winning two WHL championships in 2000 and 2002. He served as captain during the second championship and guided the team to a Memorial Cup championship in Guelph.
Since his days wearing an Ice uniform, Stoll has moved to the professional level in the NHL, suiting up for the Edmonton Oilers for five years, before moving on to the L.A. Kings.
Stoll came one win shy of a Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 2006, losing out to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Seven, however, he captured hockey’s most treasured prize last year with the Kings during a remarkable post season run.
Cracknell joined the Ice in 2003 and played for four seasons under head coach Cory Clouston.
In 2005, Cracknell and the Ice powered into the Western Conference final against the Kelowna Rockets, losing the series in six games.
He was selected in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, and spent time in the AHL under former (and now current) Ice coach Ryan McGill.
Cracknell ended up in the St. Louis Blues system after signing as an unrestricted free agent in 2009. He has suited up for the Peoria Riverman—the Blues’ AHL affiliate—and led as captain in the 2011/12 season.
Cracknell’s season with the Rivermen ended with the team outside of the Calder Cup playoff picture, however, the right-winger got called up by his parent NHL club to join the Blues for the end of their season at the beginning of April.