The Nanaimo Clipper enter the new season with a good mix of returning players and fresh faces. Tonight's line-up will have no less then 8 returnees from last year's squad that made it to the second round of the BCHL post-season.
When talking about new faces on Nanaimo, the Fitzgerald trio come to mind. The 17 year-old triplets signed on with the Orange & black in the summer after a year in the VIJHL. However, they didn't play together as a unit last season. Leo and Myles played for the Oceanside Generals and Gerry played in Pennisula, for current Kings assistant coach, Geoff Grimwood. The brothers will play together (something they haven't done in recent years) in what will be Nanaimo's third line. Also in talking about rookies for Nanaimo, Quebec has been a key to their recruiting.
Seven of the team's newest players come from the La Belle province, including both goaltenders in Charles Premont and Charles-Andre Pelletier. Also "rookie" Zach Martin is finally healthy after being out for almost two seasons of hockey due to various aliments.
The Clippers return five out of their ten top scorers, including Andrew Gladiuk who was fourth in team scoring with 49 points last season. This team will no doubt miss the offensive capabilites of Cody Bremner ( Lacrosse Scholarship to Yale) and Luc-Oliver Blain (Graduation). This will force other returnee's such as Braden Jaw, Kyle Kramer and Victor Newell to increase their offensive production. Now keeping goals out will be a key as well.
When I covered this team two years ago (working as an news reporter) in Nanaimo, the back-end depth was a concern among fans at FCA. However over the course of two seasons, it looks like the core they have in place could show signs of regaining form. The Clippers are returning six defenseman from last season and have added imports, Sam Lebreque and Jeffrey Coffin. The most shuffling has come in goal.
Returning starter, Luc Boivin, was thought to be their number one for the start of the season. However, Head Coach, Bill Bestwick, had stated that Boivin simply lossed his job to new comer Charles-Andre Pelletier in the exhibition season, which resulted a trade back to Quebec for Boivin. In comes another Quebec native, Charles-Alexy Premont, who had a spell with Shawinigan of the QMJHL.
All, in all, look for this team to improve on their 24-25-1-10 record.
The Powell River Kings will look to stay out of the box from the get go tonight against Nanaimo. Powell River took 11 minutes of penalties in the opening period alone. However, when this team started playing at even strength, they took over.
The new look top line of Niddery, Garbowsky and Schuler looked very sharp for game one. That line combined for eight points, including Niddery and Garbowsky registering a goal and two helpers respectively. When rookie, Daniel Schuler starts shooting the puck more, this could be one of the top lines in the BCHL this season .
On the back end, imports Chris Williams, Craig Dalrymple and Jon Jutzi had very strong showings in their first games. Also throw in solid efforts from Jason Yee and Klay Kachur who played at forward as well, this core could be very good this season.
Look for a better start from the Kings and more rubber going to the opposition goal.
Pre-game show 7:15 puck drop 7:30 on SUN FM
See ya at the rink.
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