Okanagan Conference – KIJHL team selections
The Kamloops Storm lead the way with five selections as they are one of the younger KIJHL teams. Selections were based on stats, performance, coach and GM input, video, and KIJHL coaches watching player performances during games when facing the players.
Hnatiuk said when you separate the “cream from the crop”, these players are performing above the average 2006-born players. Some have also been selected by Western Hockey League teams, attended WHL camps or played WHL games like Border Bruin Ryker Rougeau, a local who started with the Tri-City Americans playing two games. He made his Border Bruins debut on Nov. 1.
And of course, it was important to choose a team that can win. This week’s KIJHL Notebook will highlight the players chosen from Okanagan Conference teams. Next week’s Notebook will highlight the Kootenay Conference selections.
Bill Ohlhausen Division
Kayne Van Metre made his Posse debut last weekend and collected an assist in their win over Osoyoos.
“We believe we have a very strong defence core and we were looking for that one right shot defenceman to round everything out. Kayne is someone I’ve known for a while,” said White. “He’s been great so far. He is adjusting to the way we want to play. The way he skates, handles the puck, and conducts himself, his physicality, he’s a nice addition.”
“It’s necessary in the way we want to play,” said Novak. “We are playing two good teams this weekend and if you want to be successful, we have to stick with the system.”
The Grizzlies recently signed goalie Devin Degenstein, who started the season with the Nelson Leafs and was 3-0 with a 3.61 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. He’s 2-0 with the Grizzlies, earning his first win against the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Oct. 26. The Camrose, Alta., native has a 2.03 GAA with a .935 SP. Since joining the Grizzlies and adapting to how they play, Novak said that Degenstein is playing really well and is forming a strong tandem with Ryder Ponto.
Centennials head coach Wes McLeod said Serfas had a really strong start before getting hurt blocking a shot against Kimberley.
“He was a force on the back end for us and we’re looking forward to getting him back and as a Western Hockey League draft pick, it’s a great opportunity for him to get in front of some eyes there,” said McLeod. “He’s a big body, makes a good first pass, is physical and he’s willing to block shots and get in lanes. He’s got a good stick and has some secondary offence. There’s a lot that he does well.
“Ruff is also a WHL draft pick, he signed with the Victoria Royals and is off to a good start as well,” continued McLeod. “He’s contributed with a little bit of offence, but he’s really rounded out his 200-foot game. He is starting to become better without the puck and making better decisions.”
“All three of them have been dedicated to their craft and have found ways to get better every day, which was one thing that I really stressed with our entire group,” said Eagles head coach-GM Liam McOnie. “Gilmore has really taken steps on his physical side and has been able to produce points. Levi Dewitt has been able to really step up in the absence of Colton Fleming and played a lot of big minutes on the backend, hard minutes against top matchups. Michael Makowsky has been really solid in the pipes for us. He had a really great start and has been there when we needed him.”
“It seems like when we play the big teams, we play well for a portion of the game and then we kind of falter and let them score late in games,” said Law. “For example, we played Princeton in Princeton and had them down 3-0 at the end of the first. They stormed back for seven minutes of the second, tied it up and we end up losing in overtime.”
They have played the top teams well, but not competing for the entire game has hurt them. Law has talked to his player about playing a complete game, and working on it. Law believes he’s assembled one of the youngest teams in the league and it’s getting everybody on the same page and making sure that when they show up to the rink, it’s all about business.
Goalie Hunter Arntsen continues his strong play with a .904 save percentage.
“I think we’ve been overthinking the game a little bit the last few weeks and squeezing our sticks,” said Witala. “The biggest focus for me right now is to keep things simple and just get back to playing the game that they know how to play.”
Owen Ivanov leads the Chiefs rookies with eight points in 11 games and Witala wishes they had a few more Ivanov’s in the lineup.
“He’s an undersized kid (5-8, 140-pounds), but you’d never know that the way he plays. He’s the hardest working kid on the ice each night. He doesn’t take any games off and is a great local kid that takes pride in being a Chief and playing for the Chiefs,” said Witala. “The biggest thing is his work ethic. He definitely has tremendous skill and offensive upside, but just the way he skates, and getting pucks back. There’s no quit. I believe that is a big thing to be successful in this league.”
“Jaden’s had a really good start for us and a pretty seamless transition into this league as a rookie and is continuing to work hard and improve every weekend,” said Wranglers head coach-GM Levi Stuart. “He’s becoming that much more dominant and it’s good to see him get recognized for his efforts.”
Stuart on Woodard: “He’s got a ton of upside, a guy who was drafted to the WHL and works extremely hard and is hard to play against. He’s a man amongst boys out there and is only 16-years-old. He takes care of his own end first, but has some offensive upside with skating ability and hockey IQ.”
“As a team, we’re always honoured to have that many players selected for a game like this,” Kolle said. “All five players are very deserving. They all bring something to the game that is needed to achieve success. You start with Zulinick, and he’s just a young talent. He can skate, shoot, is offensively gifted, he can loft pucks into the net. He has a very bright future.”
Thibault: “He’s still a bit raw, but is a big, strong, solid two-way defenceman. He’s got a nice big stick and he breaks up a lot of plays and you can depend on him defensively.”
D’Amore: “He’s big, strong and uses his size (6-4, 190-pounds) very well. He’s very skilled and is good in those small places, he’s not a guy out there that’s blowing guys up, but he maximizes the use of his size to get things done.”
Paulsen: “Noah is an opportunist. You might not notice him, but then the next thing you know he’s got a breakaway. He might disappear for a few shifts, then he’s on another breakaway. It was about 10 games ago, he seems like he’s contributing offensively every night (he has 12 points in 15 games).”
Fyfe: “The guy has been unbelievable for us. He had to start out the year by himself with Dawson Holitzki out with an injury. Fyfe carried the ball for about eight games.”
“I think they recognize the importance of those points within the division and with how tight the division, and likely to be all year, that those games are going to be crucial,” said Evans. “They’ve done a good job of getting focused and dialed in and getting prepared for those games. I think if we can start preparing for other games the way we prepare for division games, our record would be in a much better place, but it’s a lesson our guys have to learn.”
“The big part now is doing it more consistently, and we did it a couple times last weekend,” said Maxwell. “Throughout game-to-game, it’s a little harder in game. You’re going to have your ups and downs in every single game.”
During practice the River Rush worked on their power-play to get it “back to clicking and continued work on the backcheck and forecheck” to help support the defence so they can have better gaps.
Isaiah Bagri is on a three-game goal-scoring streak, in which he has four goals and has added three assists. It’s the second goal-scoring streak for Bagri, who had a four-game streak between Oct. 12-19 in which he scored five goals. Bagri leads the River Rush with 12 goals in 15 games.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity and am looking forward to meeting the coaches and players and the overall experience of it,” he said. “It was definitely a goal of mine to start the year to make that team. I wanted to represent the league.”
Mustangs head coach-GM Tyrel Lucas said Swanson has put in the work and he’s very excited for his player. Swanson was focused on getting stronger and faster for the season.
“I feel like the effort and hard work that he’s put in off-the-ice is allowing him to do that this year,” said Tyrel. “He’s a very offensive player and he’s been putting in a lot of work into playing on both sides of the puck and I’m just super excited for him to have the opportunity.”
Tyrel said Asher and Swanson are really good friends.
“They are super driven and they can compete pretty well with each other and kind of hold each other to a high standard day in and day out. They push each other, so it’s pretty cool that they get to do that together,” he said.