KIJHL Notebook: Fyfe and Kisilevich enjoying strong seasons
Before the season started, Kamloops Storm head coach Andrew Fisher said Brenner Fyfe would be one of the KIJHL’s best goalies. At the midway mark of their season, that has proven true. He has the second most wins with 13 in 16 games and he’s ranked sixth in save percentage (.920) and fifth best in goals against average (2.63). Fyfe and Kimberley Dynamiters rookie goalie Adam Kisilevich are the focus in this week’s KIJHL Notebook.
KIJHL: Brenner, how do you feel you are playing this season?
BF: My game’s trending upward and every game I’ve been getting better, and the team has too. We’re just moving in the right direction, it’s been good.
KIJHL: You’ve won seven straight games. Can you talk about that streak and what you like about your play during it?
BF: I’ve been pretty consistent and steady in goal. The boys have helped a lot too—we’ve been on a bit of a hot streak. Our D-zone play has been really solid.
KIJHL: What is it like playing behind this team?
BF: It’s really fun. We have top-end talent up front, and our defence is steady and tight. It’s exciting watching these guys play.
KIJHL: Coming into the season, what areas did you want to become a better goalie?
BF: I wanted to get a little quicker and fine-tune my game, just build on last season.
KIJHL: During your offseason training, what did you focus on to play quicker?
BF: Mainly reps in the gym, quick feet, and lateral movement.
KIJHL: How does the Storm coaching staff help you develop through the season?
BF: It’s really helpful. We get goalie sessions once or twice a week with goalie coach Michael Hales. Working with him has been great for development.
KIJHL: How do the goalie sessions work? Do you have a say in what to work on?
BF: Yeah, we do. He always asks what we want to focus on, and we watch videos over the weekend to see what to improve.
KIJHL: Are there specific areas you’re still working to improve?
BF: I can get better at moving laterally, managing pucks through traffic.
KIJHL: How do you see this team being better compared to last year?
BF: We’re deeper, with more high-end talent, we can put the puck in the net. The boys are closer, and we’re all focused on going for a championship.
KIJHL: Michael, what have you worked on with Brenner to help him keep improving?
MH: We’ve been focused on simplifying his game. That started last year, but we really hit it hard this season and it’s about making his save selections less dramatic. Keeping things simple, and eliminating rebounds.
KIJHL: And how do you feel that’s been working?
MH: It’s been working very well. Last year he had a good season. Him and Josh have consistently improved as the season has gone on. Brenner’s playing with a lot of confidence while still keeping his game simple. Last year was a good learning curve for Brenner. It was his first season in junior hockey. You learn how to live away from home, get comfortable in a new town and adjust to the team’s schedule.
KIJHL: Where do you see him continuing to make strides?
MH: It’s simplifying his game — especially when it comes to rebounds and those awkward sharp-angle saves. And I’d like to see him pick up a few more assists. I think he’s capable of playing the puck well; he’s just a bit shy about showing it.
Kisilevich, an Edmonton native, came to the Dynamiters from the Edmonton Jr. Oilers U18AAA program. He also was affiliated with the AJHL’s Camrose Kodiaks last season.
KIJHL: How do you feel you’ve been playing this season?
AK: I feel pretty confident in my game right now. There’s still some areas I’d like to improve on, but I feel like I’ve been having a strong year alongside my team.
KIJHL: What has your adjustment to the league been like?
AK: Juniors are a big jump, especially from U18 or minor hockey and adjusting to the pace was the main part. The KIJHL has some funky rinks, so it’s getting to know some of the arenas, especially ours. We have some wild boards.
KIJHL: What are the things that you did to adjust to it?
AK: I’ve been experimenting with playing deeper in my net, which has honestly helped me move east and west better. I feel more fluent in my game because of it.
KIJHL: What is your playing style?
AK: I try to play aggressive when I need to, but I’m more of a passive, positionally sound goalie. I try to play aggressively off the rush when needed, but when I’m in position, I’m getting hit and catching pucks, making the game feel easy.
KIJHL: How has Dynamiters goalie coach Tyson Brouwer (Dynamiters alum) helped you to have the success that you’ve had?
AK: In the couple of months I’ve known him, he’s had a huge impact on us and our team. He tailors the skates to our needs and what we need to work on. He has a lot of equipment and access to resources, like different camera angles and he’s always trying to help us get better and he’s just been really good to us.
KIJHL: What have you seen from Adam that you like in the way he’s played?
Tyson Brouwer: A lot. He came in shortly after camp and has been great to work with—a really great teammate. He wants to get better every day. He’s never really satisfied, which is awesome to work with as a goalie coach. When your athletes are always trying to improve, it makes your job fun, and it’s nice to share the success with them.
KIJHL: What have you worked with him on that’s giving him success?
TB: A lot of screens, deflections. We go over a lot of video—both of other teams and games he’s played. It’s a lot about situational awareness and reading plays. That said, a lot of it comes down to his skill level. I don’t want to take credit for everything; he’s a good goaltender first and foremost. A lot of our work is going over situations that have occurred or could occur, dissecting them, and figuring out the best way to make a save. That’s how we approach everything.