KIJHL Notebook: Okanagan Conference Trade Deadline

KIJHL Notebook: Okanagan Conference Trade Deadline

January 17, 2025 at 11:34 am  Hockey, Kamloops Storm, Sports

This week’s KIJHL Notebook focuses on the trade deadline and how that day went for teams in accomplishing what they wanted to do to improve their respective rosters. Seven trades were completed on that day, while 11 were completed the day before.

 

Bill Ohlhausen Division

 

Princeton Posse

Jonathan Ward (2005, F) signed.

 

The Posse weren’t busy. Head coach-general manager Torrin White said they have an “awesome group of returning players” and a strong group of new guys. They did move defenceman Torin Thickson, who they really liked, but was added by the Nelson Leafs, where White said he will get more playing time.

Ward stayed in touch with White and returned after recovering from an injury..

“He is a great addition for us,” said White.

Revelstoke Grizzlies

Mark LaFleur (2005, F) acquired from Nipawin (SJHL)

Austin Wooley (2004, D) re-signed

Jaylen Forsyth (2005, F) re-signed

Daniel Wittenberg (2004, F) re-signed

 

The Grizzlies added 6-4, 220-pound forward Mark LaFleur and re-signed Wooley, Jaylen Forsyth (11 points in 35 games last season) and Wittenberg (22 points in 24 games last season). 

LaFleur is a big presence so that was the acquisition we wanted,” said Grizzlies general manager Ryan Parent. “We did add back some players who were returning from injury.”

With Wooley’s return, they get added leadership in the room and the returning players can be effective down the stretch, added Parent.

 

Sicamous Eagles

Dexter Materi (2007, F) acquired from Osoyoos

Jackson Romeril (2005, D) signed

 

While joining the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, Liam McOnie completed his general manager duties for the Eagles, which involved dealing with the trade deadline, which was quiet for him. He made his moves beforehand.

“We had been quite short on bodies due to injuries for some time, and we didn’t see anything big that would have added numbers and upgraded our lineup,” said McOnie. “We also felt that we have really turned a corner lately, and didn’t want to disrupt the current team chemistry and camaraderie.”

Adding Materi from the Osoyoos Coyotes for future considerations on Jan.7, McOnie said, gives them a top-nine forward. He then signed Romeril, a defenceman, who can play in all situations. Romeril gives the Eagles depth and championship experience (he won a KIJHL Teck Cup and Mowat Cup championship with the Revelstoke Grizzlies), without giving up any players. 

 

Merritt Centennials

Grady Sluggett (2006, F) acquired from LaRonge (SJHL)

Dane Dietz (2006, F) acquired from Quesnel

Cohen Poulin (2007, F) signed from Red Deer (WHL)

 

It was a busy day for head coach and assistant general manager Wes McLeod, who also had to travel to Revelstoke for a game that day. 

“You’re going through the mountains, you lose service and you’re trying to be on the phone and it was a stressful few hours there, but we’re very happy with how it turned out,” said McLeod. 

They filled gaps with right shot forwards in Sluggett and Dietz, which was a priority. They also added Poulin.

“We definitely got bolstered up front and feel like we’re a much deeper team after the deadline,” said McLeod.

 

Osoyoos Coyotes

Jaiden Jakubowski (2005, G) acquired from Columbia Valley

 

Head coach-general manager Ken Law had lots of calls about players. Law helped some players by giving them options to have a long playoff run or make the playoffs. 

“That’s what it’s all about, it’s about the players,” said Law. “We helped Hunter Arntsen get to a place that is going to be a contender. We helped Materi get to a place that’s gonna help him get a long run at the playoffs. And we brought in a goaltender (Jakubowski) we were trying to get for a while and futures for next year.”

 

Kelowna Chiefs

It was a quiet deadline for head coach and general manager Dave Whistle, whose only move on the day was trading Ben Henshall to the Fernie Ghostriders.

“We did a few deals for some of our older players who I hope have the opportunity to challenge for the title,” said Whistle. “Our goal was to make the playoffs and it’s still our goal. We know it’s going to be hard, but we have played well since Christmas and if we can get on a roll, we will have a chance.”

 

Doug Birks Division

 

100 Mile House Wranglers

Riley Langille (2004, F) acquired from Kimberley

Drew Cadenhead (2005, G) acquired from Kimberley

 

Trade deadline day wasn’t too busy for 100 Mile House Wranglers head coach-general manager Levi Stuart, but he did take a lot of calls. He looked at some options. 

“We made the one trade with Kimberley for Riley Langille and Drew Cadenhead a couple of days prior to the deadline,” said Stuart. “That ended up being our big acquisition. We’re happy with where we’re at.”

Heading into the deadline, Stuart wanted to add another scorer and a 20-year-old and he accomplished both with Langille. 

“He’s going to be a big addition for us,” said Stuart. “He creates a lot of offence and has experience playing in the World Junior Championships (Australia in Division 3 and 2B) and with Kimberley (Mowat Cup). We got goalie depth with Cadenhead as we have an injury to one of our goalies.

“We didn’t want to shake things up too much,” he continued. “I’m all about the locker room, making sure it’s a tight-knit group and a family. Come playoff time, that is huge. Riley and Drew have fit in really well.”

 

Kamloops Storm

Logan Bates (2006, D) signed from Penticton (BCHL)

Haden Selin (2005, F) acquired from Kimberley

Wyatt Olson (2006, D) acquired from Grand Forks

Justin Mol (2006, F) acquired from Grand Forks

 


It was the busiest deadline in seven years for Storm general manager Matt Kolle.

“We really feel that we do have a club that can do serious damage in the playoffs,” said Kolle. “We’ve been very inconsistent and felt our wins and losses were determined by whether we paid attention to our detail and habits and we stayed out-of-the-box. Through trades we tried to make changes that would impact those areas.”

Kolle said when it came down to the deadline time, they did a three for two with Grand Forks and gave up a lot. 

“Keenan Holland, who was our second leading scorer, but really a leader on our power play along with Thomas Clarke who’s physically very, very strong.,” said Kolle. “We gave two big pieces, but we felt the three that we got back gave us more to the direction we’re trying to head.”

The final piece was adding Bates from the Penticton Vees in the BCHL. 

 

Quesnel River Rush

Wyatt Ball (2006, F) acquired from Merritt

Oliver Read (2005, G) acquired from Richmond (PJHL)

Dawson Ernst (2007, F) acquired from Williams Lake

 

River Rush head coach-general manager Logan Maxwell had a busy deadline, but most of his team was set, so it was about “tweaking around the edges.” Maxwell mostly accomplished what he set out to do.

“Just depth up front and on the backend,” he said. “Wyatt Ball and Oliver Read, they both fit in well with the group so far. I’m excited to see what they can do in the second-half.”

In nine games with the Sockeyes, Read was 7-1-0 with a 2.75 goals against average and an .876 save percentage.

 

Williams Lake Mustangs

Braxton Becker (2006, G) acquired from Fernie

Trent Thiessen (2005, D) acquired from Fernie

Brendan Calahasen (2004, F) acquired from Creston

Valley

 

Leading up to the trade deadline, head coach-general manager Tyrel Lucas made two trades and one of the pieces the Mustangs brought over is local product Trent Thiessen. On the deadline day, Lucas didn’t make any moves.

“I think the trades we did make before, we’re happy with, and I’m really happy with the locker room right now,” he said. “The guys that we have, they’re really good guys, they really want to be here and they are working hard to get better every day.”

Lucas said being in their first year in the league, their goal is to make the playoffs.

 

Chase Heat

Markus Thompson (2006, F) acquired from Revelstoke

Riddick Feely (2007, D) acquired from Kamloops

Haden Heide (2006, G) acquired from Castlegar

Braeden Lackey (2006, D) acquired from Creston Valley

Reese Phillips (2007, F) signed from Salmon Arm U18

Head coach-GM Kyle Evans said the deadline was hectic with many phone calls, text messages, and watching film. The group was underperforming and he felt it needed a shake up.

“We feel we have a much better team than our record shows, and felt with some tweaks we could still get to where we want to go,” said Evans, adding he was focused on adding the right pieces to make them more well-rounded.

“Consistency is a big key in being a winning team, which is something we’ve battled with this year,” Evans said. “We’re thrilled with the group we have post deadline. Once everybody gets settled and comfortable, we feel that we’ll have a group that will be more cohesive on the ice and be able to compliment each other a little better.”

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