Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Goodbye
As you may have wondered I have left the Powell River Kings organization to take a position with the Penticton Vees.
First off, I would like to thank Kent Lewis and his staff for bringing me on to call games on Sun FM in the 2010-2011 season. It truly was a pleasure to be part of such a successful organization on and off the ice. The Kings have built up a strong program and it will only get better. Powell River is spoiled to be able to watch the product they put out year after year.
To the fans, I sincerely appreciate all the feedback I received this past season-constructive too. It meant a lot to a young broadcaster cutting his teeth in the BCHL. Powell River has some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the league. I will never forget the atmosphere in the Hap Parker Arena during games five & seven against Victoria and in the BCHL finals.
I would be remiss not to mention the great work of the Volunteers. The army of dedicated fans have a thankless job and do it without complaint and a smile on their face. Volunteers are the back bone of any junior hockey team.
Thank you Powell River.
First off, I would like to thank Kent Lewis and his staff for bringing me on to call games on Sun FM in the 2010-2011 season. It truly was a pleasure to be part of such a successful organization on and off the ice. The Kings have built up a strong program and it will only get better. Powell River is spoiled to be able to watch the product they put out year after year.
To the fans, I sincerely appreciate all the feedback I received this past season-constructive too. It meant a lot to a young broadcaster cutting his teeth in the BCHL. Powell River has some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the league. I will never forget the atmosphere in the Hap Parker Arena during games five & seven against Victoria and in the BCHL finals.
I would be remiss not to mention the great work of the Volunteers. The army of dedicated fans have a thankless job and do it without complaint and a smile on their face. Volunteers are the back bone of any junior hockey team.
Thank you Powell River.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
News & Notes
- Big news out of Vernon, as Mark Ferner has stepped down as Head Coach & GM of the Vipers. Jason Williamson has been promoted to fill his role. Jon Keen with Radio NL out of Kamloops had the story on Twitter. Keen speculated that Ferner will be named HC in Everett with the Silvertips. You can read the press release on the Vipers website here. You can follow Jon Keen on Twitter @JonKeenNLSports
- Staying within the coaching circle, the Salmon Silverbacks have named Colin O'Hara as their newest Head Coach & GM. O'Hara takes over from Tim Kehler who resigned last week. O'Hara just completed his first season with the 'Backs and isn't new to the BCHL. O'Hara has made stops in Vernon and Quesnel and was most recently the HC in Nipawin of the SJHL.
- The Vancouver Canucks will have a noticeable BCHL flavour at their Development Camp opens up this week. Former Vee Joey Lelaggia, Eagle Karel St. Laurent, Grizzlie Justin Courtnall King/Capital Chris Rawlings and future Cap Brendon Tanev.
- The latest version of the Chilliwack Chiefs franchise has lauched their website today. You can find it at http://www.chilliwackchiefs.net/. The team hasn't released a logo yet but expect the one we have seen in recent years. However, looking at the colours they are using on the site, maybe maroon red and gold will be the teams colour scheme.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Jutzi commits to Mavericks
Kings rearguard, Jon Jutzi as secured a NCAA Div 1 scholarship.
From the Powell River Kings website:
The Kings are proud to announce that Jon Jutzi has committed to
Jutzi joined the green and gold at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season. Wearing number 24, Jon consistently improved and developed as an offensive defenseman. Jutzi proved to thrive under pressure scoring key over-time goals during the playoffs. He is vital to the Kings’ defense and is a cornerstone to the leadership on the team.
Kings' head coach and general manager Kent Lewis is proud of Jutzi saying, "Staff at
Jutzi says he chose the Minnesota State Mavericks for a number of reasons. “From the first time I talked to the coaching staff at
Jon will be pursuing a degree in Sports Management while attending
Congratulations Jon on this great achievement!
In my opinion, Minnesota State got a steal in Jutzi. The term "sleeper" is widely used by us in the media. However I truly feel this applies to the slick moving big man. I have a feeling quite a few schools will be kicking themselves next year for missing out on number 24.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Kings Swap Defensemen
The Powell River Kings have traded defenseman Klay Kachur(91) to the Melville Millionaires of the SJHL for defenseman Jordan Paddock(93).
Kachur completed his second season with the Kings and will have a chance to play closer to his Lanigan, Saskatchewan home. Paddock is an 18 year-old left shot D-man who had 11 points in 52 games will the Mills.
I would like to wish Klay all the best this season as he was a class act with Powell River. I don't think you can meet a nicer kid than him. Also I had the opportunity to meet his parents and you can see why Klay is such a pleasure to be around.
More to follow.
You can go to the Kings website for complete details on the trade.
Kachur completed his second season with the Kings and will have a chance to play closer to his Lanigan, Saskatchewan home. Paddock is an 18 year-old left shot D-man who had 11 points in 52 games will the Mills.
I would like to wish Klay all the best this season as he was a class act with Powell River. I don't think you can meet a nicer kid than him. Also I had the opportunity to meet his parents and you can see why Klay is such a pleasure to be around.
More to follow.
You can go to the Kings website for complete details on the trade.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Big changes for the BCHL
The British Columbia Hockey League has announced several significant changes with regards to its schedule, playoffs and team roster rules that are aimed at improving cost efficiency and player development for member clubs. The changes come about as a result of a recent meeting of the BCHL board of governors.
With respect to playoffs, the following changes are being made:
- There will be eight teams that qualify for playoffs, four from each conference. This will accommodate the conclusion of the season being later and ensure a team is available when the Doyle Cup begins.
- There will be just three rounds of playoffs as one round is being eliminated. This is meant to promote competitiveness in opening rounds though this change is on a trial basis and will be reviewed after the end of next season.
With respect to the schedule, the following changes are being made so BCHL games are more accessible for fans and teams can trim travel costs:
- The 2011-12 season will begin later. Games will commence Sept. 23 and will conclude March 11 to coincide with the more traditional hockey season. Teams will be given an option to hold training camp starting in August as usual or push it back to September.
- The league will be going back to a half-interlock schedule that will see each team play every other team but not necessarily visit all buildings. Regional rivalry games will be given more attention.
- The BCHL office will be producing the schedule for the coming season. This will allow weekend dates to be maximized and may see occasional earlier start times on Saturdays to promote attendance by families. It will also ensure reduced travel for clubs with double-headers (i.e. playing the same opponent in their building Friday and Saturday) being incorporated.
With respect to team rosters, the following changes will be implemented for the coming season:
- Roster will be reduced to 21 players from 23 as in past years. This will promote player development and ensure more players dress for more games.
- Each team must carry at least one 16-year-old and one 17-year-old player. This is an effort to develop homegrown B.C. players as with the reduced roster size, these younger players are guaranteed to dress for games.
- An October selection of affiliate players will be held. It is not a true draft and is meant to simply introduce 15-year-old players to the BCHL and keep them on affiliate rosters for the season. At the conclusion of the season, teams will not keep rights to these players.
“We’re confident these ideas will be embraced by our member clubs as we continue to work through our strategic plan,” said league commissioner John Grisdale. “The BCHL looks forward to implementing these changes and improving the product we put on the ice next season.”
With respect to playoffs, the following changes are being made:
- There will be eight teams that qualify for playoffs, four from each conference. This will accommodate the conclusion of the season being later and ensure a team is available when the Doyle Cup begins.
- There will be just three rounds of playoffs as one round is being eliminated. This is meant to promote competitiveness in opening rounds though this change is on a trial basis and will be reviewed after the end of next season.
With respect to the schedule, the following changes are being made so BCHL games are more accessible for fans and teams can trim travel costs:
- The 2011-12 season will begin later. Games will commence Sept. 23 and will conclude March 11 to coincide with the more traditional hockey season. Teams will be given an option to hold training camp starting in August as usual or push it back to September.
- The league will be going back to a half-interlock schedule that will see each team play every other team but not necessarily visit all buildings. Regional rivalry games will be given more attention.
- The BCHL office will be producing the schedule for the coming season. This will allow weekend dates to be maximized and may see occasional earlier start times on Saturdays to promote attendance by families. It will also ensure reduced travel for clubs with double-headers (i.e. playing the same opponent in their building Friday and Saturday) being incorporated.
With respect to team rosters, the following changes will be implemented for the coming season:
- Roster will be reduced to 21 players from 23 as in past years. This will promote player development and ensure more players dress for more games.
- Each team must carry at least one 16-year-old and one 17-year-old player. This is an effort to develop homegrown B.C. players as with the reduced roster size, these younger players are guaranteed to dress for games.
- An October selection of affiliate players will be held. It is not a true draft and is meant to simply introduce 15-year-old players to the BCHL and keep them on affiliate rosters for the season. At the conclusion of the season, teams will not keep rights to these players.
“We’re confident these ideas will be embraced by our member clubs as we continue to work through our strategic plan,” said league commissioner John Grisdale. “The BCHL looks forward to implementing these changes and improving the product we put on the ice next season.”
Monday, May 2, 2011
A new identity for Langley
The Langley Rivermen (formerly Chiefs) unveiled their logo today via twitter.
Here's the link
Personally, I give it a big thumbs up. I like the simplicity with the colour scheme and how they incorporated the history of Langley / Fort Langley. Also you may notice that blue is the new black in hockey. Look at all the third jersey's recently in the NHL: Pittsburgh, Florida, Nashville and Columbus have gone to a similar colour scheme in the past two seasons.
Can't wait to see the logo applied to the jerseys, well done Rivermen.
Here's the link
Personally, I give it a big thumbs up. I like the simplicity with the colour scheme and how they incorporated the history of Langley / Fort Langley. Also you may notice that blue is the new black in hockey. Look at all the third jersey's recently in the NHL: Pittsburgh, Florida, Nashville and Columbus have gone to a similar colour scheme in the past two seasons.
Can't wait to see the logo applied to the jerseys, well done Rivermen.
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