Money Money Money

Well if you missed it, the Washington based Wenatchee Wild just paid 1.2 Million to become the 17th BCHL team. I wonder what kind of attendance a team needs to pay down that kind of debt. The Wild fans who showed up at the press conference were not impressed when they were told there is no fighting in the BCHL either. 

“They had a luncheon outside with pulled pork sandwiches and we answered questions for about two and a half hours. The biggest concern from the fans was, ‘Whaddya mean there’s no fighting?’ When we told them you were ejected for one fight, they weren’t too happy about that either.” Read Kevin Mitchell's story here

So each BCHL team gets about $75,000 each in expansion fees, it may be enough to carry them for a few months in that league.

The Wild will probably make it in the BCHL, after all they survived in the NAHL for the last several years where their shortest road trip was 2,700 KM. If you can pay those travel costs you should be OK in the BCHL. For the record, the Ghostriders played 1 season in the aforementioned NAHL but the extreme travel to places like Chicago, Minnesota North Dakota etc made it impossible to stay in that Jr "A" Circuit .

In other news, our neighbours, the Kootenay Ice, are in trouble because of low attendance.

WHL President Robison “It’s reached a very critical stage. I think it’s something we’re going to have to determine this year. If things aren’t improving, I don’t believe ownership or the league will be in a position to continue to support the franchise remaining in Cranbrook. It’s a very critical season coming up. We need to see more support in order to get us to a position where we have confidence in the market moving forward, but at this stage, we’re very concerned about the future of the franchise.

Read Taylor Rocca's story here

We have heard the "Were Movin" stories for years now, is this the final straw ? If they do move what happens to their great rink... Will someone pay 1.2 million for a BCHL franchise... The KIJHL... in that $20 something million dollar rink .... would be a travesty for the people of Cranbrook.

Lakeland Hockey Camp

Coach Craig Mohr will be working with former Rider and now Coquitlam Express Head Coach Barry Wolff at the Lakeland Evaluation Camp at the end of May.

Barry Wolff. Hope you are all well, just a reminder that the 32nd Annual Lakeland Hockey Show Case camp goes May 29-31 at Langley Sportsplex,
starts Friday May 29 with goalies being on ice 8:00am, Games start Friday 12:00pm--7:15pm, Saturday 7:30am-5:45pm, Sunday 7:30am-11:45am with all star game going at 12:00pm.

Official Lakeland Hotel  Sandman Inn Langley 604-888-7263, blocks from the Sportsplex arena, and Home to the Shark Club! ask for the Lakeland rate 

Any questions please let me know,  Barry Wolff  email wolffie@wolfstershockey.com  cell 604-250-9145

Rosters and contact info available at the front table for exchange of  a business card, Hope to see you there

We would like to invite you to the 32nd Annual Lakeland Super Camp 

May 29-31, 2015 at Langley Sportsplex Arena.

The Lakeland Camp is a hockey show case camp, to prove to scouts & coach’s that you belong on their team. We have seen a vast amount of players from this camp move on to the next level of hockey whether it is Junior, college or pro. 

Over the last 5 years we have seen over 70 scouts attend this weekend camp from all levels of Junior right up to the NHL. 

Players $275.00

Players get one practice and 5 scrimmages. 

Goalies $475.00

Goalies get 4 on ice goalie sessions, and game time.

All participants get a chance to play in the Dr. Evil Memorial All Star Game,

and receive a souvenir Lakeland Hockey Jersey.

This camp has limited amount of spots, and has sold out the last five years, So if this interests you, please do not hesitate to sign up. 

 Our current web site is under construction. 

For more information or any questions please contact Barry Wolff  wolffie@wolfstershockey.com

Cell 604-250-9145

  

To register you can fill out registration form, 

and email to wolffie@wolfstershockey.com

mail to: PO Box 64538 Como Lake Road, Coquitlam, B.C V2Y 7B7

Checks and Money orders are to be made payable to Lakeland Hockey.

Williams Lake to join the KIJHL ?

First A little Sunday AM thirty something year history lesson.

In the 1980's the Williams Lake Mustangs were part of the PCJHL (Peace Cariboo) Junior A circuit who's league Champion played off against the BCJHL Champion for the  BC Jr A hockey Championship.

Then in 1991 the PCJHL joined up with several teams in the South to form the RMJHL (Rocky Mountain) Jr "A" league who were in competition with the still intact BCJHL. The RMJHL featured several teams who  KIJHL fans will be familiar with, Fernie, Kimberley, Creston, Nelson and Castlegar all played in the RMJHL as did Trail and Cranbrook who each had storied KIJHL histories

Then in 1996 the BCJHL who are now called the BCHL, and who didn't like the competition for players, took in Trail Prince George and Quesnel and that killed off the Peace Cariboo division, and in a few short years... the RMJHL as well.

Williams Lake was not part of the new BCHL and had no hockey until 2002 when they joined the BCHL for a few seasons calling themselves the Timberwolves They lasted five years before going bankrupt in 2010 and they haven't had hockey since. Their relatives in Quesnel lasted until 2011 before they also found out the BCHL was a rich man's league.

So here we are, two big hockey towns without hockey and Williams Lake has an eye on the KIJHL, and you can be absolutely certain Quesnel is looking as well.

Observations from afar

So the big question is will they buy an existing team like 100 Mile did when they bought Pentiction (There are more than a few KI teams out there who are struggling at the gate) or will they buy a new franchise at ... last I heard...  $150,000.

 Either way it's going to get harder to win in the KIJHL with bigger and bigger centres joining up in the last few seasons. Personally I hope they get an existing team so as to not water down the league any more than it is.  Every season we have a few teams who don't seem to be able to recruit enough good players to compete, adding two new teams in  big centres won't help. And yes, it could happen surprisingly fast.

Anyway, Below is a story that was circulating on Twitter Sunday AM. With a link to the WL Facebook page.

Management team announces intentions to bring junior B hockey to lakecity

April 23, 2015 · Updated 5:25 PM
0 Comments

The chance of a junior B team coming to Williams Lake became much more of a possibility Thursday following an announcement made on Facebook.

Rob Sandrock — a professional hockey player born and raised in Williams Lake with more than 16 years of pro experience — revealed he's been managing the page, "Williams Lake Jr. B Hockey," and said he's formed a management team with Total Ice Training Centre's Tyrel Lucas and Speedy Petey's Car Wash and Lube's Ryan Bailey about bringing a team to the lakecity.

"[This group] has the knowledge and experience to succeed," Sandrock said via the announcement. "Tyrel has been developing hockey players for the past seven years and with his facility will give junior players the training and instruction that other teams can only dream of.

"Ryan … a well-established accountant and brings a wealth of business knowledge to our group."

Sandrock, who has a masters degree in sport management, said the trio has a deeply-rooted passion for the game, Williams Lake and the next generation of hockey players.

"We are here to bring an entertainment option to Williams Lake while providing local hockey players the opportunity to stay and play in their hometown and create positive role models for our younger youth," Sandrock said.

"While we may be the driving force trying to bring a team to Williams Lake it will be your team, Williams Lake's team and will be treated as such. Without you, we will not be successful. With you, we can create something the whole city can be proud of, to call theirs and to be a part of."

Sandrock said the management team will be arranging an information forum in the near future to create an opportunity to answer any questions from the public.

Until then, he said he can be reached with questions and comments at robsandrock@icloud.com, or on his Facebook page, "Williams Lake Jr. B Hockey."

Decompress...Crossover... it will be fun

The KIJHL Governors had a meeting last weekend where they disscussed several different things including marketing ideas and scheduling that will get finalized at the KIJHL AGM in June so are not out to the public yet.

However, there was some news coming out of the meeting that KIJHL Vice President Phil Iddon was able to talk about and that was a bit on scheduling. You may remember the that there were some complaints from Kimberley about how many playoff and total games the Nitro's had to play compared to the other teams from the PIJHL and the VIJHL. Kimberley played 4 playoff rounds and 26 games in 46 days while Campbell River played 3 playoff rounds and 17 games in 59 days. Taylor Rocca's story is here  

Overall in the KIJHL we play more games, the VIJHL (Campbell River Storm) play a 48 game schedule and the PIJHL who hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup a few weeks ago, play a 44 game schedule.  The KIJHL Governors like their longer 52 game schedule that keeps them closer to a Jr "A" schedule in length but they don't like all the 3 games in 3 days weekends and some of the weekday games. So with that in mind they have decided to start the season a week earlier and end a week later to try and decompress the schedule a bit. The actual dates will be finalized at the AGM.

Also the Cyclone Taylor Cup will be moved back a few days and will start April 7-11 this year. That along with the KIJHL Final going down to a best of 5 should make it easier on the Championship winning team to get a bit of rest before they start the Cyclone Tournament.

The KIJHL also agreed to keep the "Crossovers", which means fans will see teams from both conferences every year. So fans in say, the Eddie Mountain Division, will see teams from the Okanagan Division one year and the Doug Birks Division the next. Just like it has been for the last several seasons.

Thoughts
Ultra happy were keeping the "Crossovers" you always want to see how good the other Divisions are so you know how good you will have to be to win everything. 

The best of 5 final... VP Iddon says the logic is that it will shorten the P/O schedule a bit and cut down on the potential huge travel costs... and it will only affect 2 teams vs a best of 5 in the first round featuring 16 teams.

 I can live with the 52 games if there is a way to cut down the 3 games in 3 days fiasco we see every year. The 3 in 3 is too much IMO. I'm not sure how compressed the playoff schedule will be, but it was not very good this year... after the AGM we should have a better idea.

Starting the playoffs mid week is another disaster we had for years, you fight hard for first place then get penalized with no home games on the weekend, and that was a "Travesty" ...the fix for that is a Thursday start so you get a Friday game and the other team gets at least a Sunday game.


Nice work KIJHL you worked out a few things for the betterment of the league and fans.

Riders AGM May 20th in the Beer Room

The Fernie Ghostriders invite you to their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday May 20th at 7:00 at the arena, in what we all know as the "Beer Room"

The Fernie Ghostriders are a "Community Owned Team" and every year we have an AGM where interested fans will learn how the team did on the ice and off the ice in the year end financial report. If we were a privately owned team like many of the other KIJHL teams are the financial report would also be private so this is a great opportunity for fans to find out just how much it costs to run a junior hockey team.

If you ever had any questions or suggestions about the team or how it operates this is the time to voice them. 

After the reports there will be an election of officers and board members. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting but if you want to vote you will need a Membership, the cost is $10.00.  Also, everyone who is nominated may run for a position on the board as well, and the Ghostriders need help and invite any interested fans to come to the meeting.
 

Award Winners from the 2014-15 season

2014-2015 NEIL MURDOCH DIVISIONAL AWARD WINNERS

MVP-                      MITCHELL FOYLE – BEAVER VALLEY NITEHAWKS 
ROOKIE-                      ROSS AMOUR – BEAVER VALLEY NITEHAWKS 
SPORTSMAN          MICHAEL PRUSS – BEAVER VALLEY NITEHAWKS 
TOP SCORER        MITCHELL FOYLE – BEAVER VALLEY NITEHAWKS 
D- MAN                 ROBSON CRAMER – NELSON LEAFS
GOALIE                TREVOR DILAURO – SPOKANE BRAVES 
COACH                  JESSE DORRANS – CASTLEGAR REBELS
  

EDDIE MOUNTAIN DIVISIONAL AWARD WINNERS

MVP                           JASON RICHTER – KIMBERLEY DYNAMITERS
ROOKIE                        COY PREVOST – KIMBERLEY DYNAMITERS
D MAN                        JORDAN BUSCH – KIMBERLEY DYNAMITERS
TOP SCORE               JASON RICHTER – KIMBERLEY DYNAMITERS
SPORTSMAN  CARSON CARTWRIGHT – CRESTON VALLEY  
GOALIE                             JEFF ORSER – FERNIE GHOSTRIDERS

COACH                              CRAIG MOHR- FERNIE GHOSTRIDERS

DOUG BIRKS DIVISIONAL AWARD WINNERS

MVP                              KALEB BOYLE – CHASE HEAT
SPORTSMAN             TREVOR OKINO - CHASE HEAT
GOALTENDER          MITCHELL BYER – CHASE HEAT
D-MAN                     JAYDEN SYROTA – 100 MILE HOUSE WRANGLERS 
TOP SCORER                  IAN CRYSTAL- KAMLOOPS STORM
ROOKIE                       STEVEN FIUST – REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES 
COACH                       ED PATTERSON – KAMLOOPS STORM

OKANAGAN DIVISIONAL AWARD WINNERS

MVP        AARON AZEVEDO          – OSOYOOS COYOTES 
TOP SCORER  AARON AZEVEDO - OSOYOOS COYOTES 
D_MAN                      KEVIN ROTH – KELOWNA CHIEFS
ROOKIE                     JACK MILLS – SUMMERLAND STEAM 
SPORTSMAN       BRADEN ELIUK – SUMMERLAND STEAM 
GOALTENDER      BRETT HUBER – SUMMERLAND STEAM 
COACH           JOHN DEPOURCQ – SUMMERLAND STEAM

*All of the above were as per votes received from the teams that voted in their respective divisions*

OVERALL LEAGUE AWARDS 2014-2015

MVP           AARON AZEVEDO    – OSOYOOS COYOTES 
D-MAN         ROBSON CRAMER – NELSON LEAFS 
SPORTSMAN   TREVOR OKINO – CHASE HEAT
ROOKIE  KEATON       GORDON – KAMLOOPS STORM
GOALTENDER     BRETT SOLES - OSOYOOS COYOTES 
TOP SCORER JASON RICHTER – KIMBERLEY DYNAMITERS 
COACH                        KEN LAW – OSOYOOS COYOTES

*All the above were chosen from the Divisional Winners on the basis of one vote per team from all that participated. The top goaltender determined on the best GAA and top scorer by most goals scored
In the regular season.* 

Fernie Ghostrider Spring Camp was a success !

Rider Coach Craig Mohr talks about the Ghostriders Spring Camp in the audio clip below. The camp featured several 2000's (15 year old players) who were pretty good plus several 98's and 97's Mohr says he will invite them all back for main camp in August. That date is yet to be determined.

In other Rider news at least two of our 94's (20 year olds) have a chance to keep playing hockey next year. We will have more on this shortly.

Kyle Christensen, The "Voice" of the Ghostriders radio broadcast's is leaving the radio station and will be returning to school where he will pursue a Degree in Communications. Kyle was doing the play by play for the last 5 seasons. More on just who Kyle is is below.

Kyle Christensen
Sports Director

Kyle Christensen comes to us from SAIT in Calgary. He’s a sports fanatic, making him a perfect choice for Sports Director.
Kyle originally comes from Winnipeg, Manitoba and you can hear him in the afternoon’s from Monday to Friday.

He’s a part of the Kootenay Ice home broadcasts, does play-by-play for the Fernie Ghostriders and period reports for the Kimberley Dynamiters.He joined the team in the Broadcast Center Newsroom on October 1, 2007.