The good news is that according to the COF the arena will open on time ! That means Rider fans will see their first home game in the Fernie Memorial on Saturday September 15th vs Creston.
And I'm told the plant should be in place in the next week or so as well.
Now for a little bad news (readers should be used to that kind of thing by now). The rink needs some structural work done to the roof before it snows ... like it’s going to cave in or something, the snow melts off when the heaters are turned on but what do I know.
Anyway the arena will close for about a month in late October or November so contractors can do the work.
That means the Riders will have to try and schedule a few games on another ice surface. The good news is wherever they end up playing the games the roads will still be good.
I can’t believe the structural problems just showed up out of thin air, they must have known months ago. And they have been allowed back in the rink for several months as well but nothing was done... also it didn’t help that one of the investigating teams waited two months to show up... thus agonizingly delaying this screamingly slow process.
Thursday, 2 August 2018
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Ghostrider Update July 30th
The Fernie Ghostriders Head Coach and General Manager Jeff Wagner has hired former Ghostrider Justin Peers as his Assistant Coach for the upcoming 2018/19 season. You can read Jeff’s full press release here
Justin, who is 22 years old will be a good fit for the Riders and the players should be able to relate to him as he’s just a couple of years removed from being one of the inmates himself, so he’ll know what they are going through.
Peers played three seasons with the Riders, had a scoring touch and was a very likeable guy with a great sense of humour... he even mugged for this tweet one summer when he was working at Fernie Home Building Centre.
How can you not like a guy like that.
Next up is the Ghostriders Main Camp on the weekend of August 17-19.
This report says the workers were not aware of the danger a small hole in the “Chiller” presented.
Betting the lawyers are salivating so much they’ll need floor drains in their offices.
More from Jeff Wagner
The Fernie Ghostriders are pleased to announced the KIJHL commitment of '00 Forward Kory Zinck. Kory spent the last 2seasons playing Midget AAA in Alberta, most recently with the Airdrie CFR Bisons where he scored 3 goals and added 7 assists in 35 games. Welcome to Fernie @koryzinck12!
I have never seen Zinck on the ice... but usually AAA players can play in the KIJHL.
Some of the other new players this season are
Defenseman Ryan Van Boven. Ryan played in 25 games for the Midget AA Gold and scored 5 goals and 4 assists.
Defensemen Josh Dalquist, Josh had 5 assists in 35 games for the Midget AAA Calgary Flames.
Forward/ Centre Kyle Ford. Kyle scored 12 goals and added 14 assists in 27 games for the Midget AA Stamps.
Defenceman Sawan Gill. Sawan played 24 games for the AA Midget Canucks last year scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists.
Also David Sanchez’s rights were acquired via the Nelson Leafs, he is a left winger.
Justin, who is 22 years old will be a good fit for the Riders and the players should be able to relate to him as he’s just a couple of years removed from being one of the inmates himself, so he’ll know what they are going through.
Peers played three seasons with the Riders, had a scoring touch and was a very likeable guy with a great sense of humour... he even mugged for this tweet one summer when he was working at Fernie Home Building Centre.
How can you not like a guy like that.
Next up is the Ghostriders Main Camp on the weekend of August 17-19.
Players who want to attend camp can get hold of
Head Coach and General Manager
Jeff Wagner
Cell Phone (Team) 1-250-423-0619
Cell Phone 1-403-512-9631
Email wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com
Cell Phone (Team) 1-250-423-0619
Cell Phone 1-403-512-9631
Email wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com
The Riders exhibition schedule
In Invermere Aug 27
In Golden Aug 28
In Kimberley Aug 30
In Creston Sept 1
Yes I know it’s all road games... remember the part about the arena not being open yet...
As September inches ominously closer... the arena saga continues...
The pad for the new ice plant or “Chiller” has been poured and is ready, if and when the new plant shows up.
At one time we were told it was going to be in place by August 1st...
At one time we were told it was going to be in place by August 1st...
On July 30th I asked Mayor Mary Giuliano via email if the arena would be open on time and her reply was.
“Were waiting on some information to make a final decision. It does look like this date (Sept 10th) is possible and certainly everyone is going for it.”
This report says the workers were not aware of the danger a small hole in the “Chiller” presented.
Betting the lawyers are salivating so much they’ll need floor drains in their offices.
More from Jeff Wagner
The Fernie Ghostriders are pleased to announced the KIJHL commitment of '00 Forward Kory Zinck. Kory spent the last 2seasons playing Midget AAA in Alberta, most recently with the Airdrie CFR Bisons where he scored 3 goals and added 7 assists in 35 games. Welcome to Fernie @koryzinck12!
I have never seen Zinck on the ice... but usually AAA players can play in the KIJHL.
Some of the other new players this season are
Defenseman Ryan Van Boven. Ryan played in 25 games for the Midget AA Gold and scored 5 goals and 4 assists.
Defensemen Josh Dalquist, Josh had 5 assists in 35 games for the Midget AAA Calgary Flames.
Forward/ Centre Kyle Ford. Kyle scored 12 goals and added 14 assists in 27 games for the Midget AA Stamps.
Defenceman Sawan Gill. Sawan played 24 games for the AA Midget Canucks last year scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists.
Also David Sanchez’s rights were acquired via the Nelson Leafs, he is a left winger.
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Ghostrider exhibition schedule
Because the Fernie arena is not open yet the Riders will have their Main Camp in Calgary on August 17- 19th.
Interested future players can contact
Interested future players can contact
Head Coach and General Manager
Jeff Wagner
Cell Phone (Team) 1-250-423-0619
Cell Phone 1-403-512-9631
Office Phone 1-250-423-4153 (not useable until the arena opens)
Fax 1-250-423-3214
Email wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com
Cell Phone (Team) 1-250-423-0619
Cell Phone 1-403-512-9631
Office Phone 1-250-423-4153 (not useable until the arena opens)
Fax 1-250-423-3214
Email wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com
Because of the arena situation all exhibition games will be on the road.
In Invermere Aug 27
In Golden Aug 28
In Kimberley Aug 30
In Creston Sept 1
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Fernie Arena July 24th
Dateline July 24th 2018 Arena Update
At the back of the arena the guys from Shoesmith Construction are busy getting a pad ready for the new plant. They are expecting to see the concrete pour on Friday.
Inside the arena it sounds like the water lines are done up front and the now the contractors are working on the dressing rooms then they will be doing the back rooms including the Ghostrider room.
We have total destruction of all the old plumbing, no matter what they may have told us earlier.
The City is being very evasive about everything. At an ice meeting several weeks ago they assured all the user groups that they would email out weekly progress reports... They have not sent even one.
Will the arena open on time (or even close to Sept 10th) is the big question... Will someone from the City tell us... don’t bet on it.
At the back of the arena the guys from Shoesmith Construction are busy getting a pad ready for the new plant. They are expecting to see the concrete pour on Friday.
Inside the arena it sounds like the water lines are done up front and the now the contractors are working on the dressing rooms then they will be doing the back rooms including the Ghostrider room.
We have total destruction of all the old plumbing, no matter what they may have told us earlier.
The City is being very evasive about everything. At an ice meeting several weeks ago they assured all the user groups that they would email out weekly progress reports... They have not sent even one.
Will the arena open on time (or even close to Sept 10th) is the big question... Will someone from the City tell us... don’t bet on it.
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Fernie Arena Update
As we inch closer to September
It’s June 20th and the longest day of the year is tomorrow... and no it’s not because I’ll have a hangover... The solstice is Thursday @ 4:07 AM
Everyone in town has been patiently awaiting an update from the City of Fernie on the arena renovations... So me being the impatient one, I did my own update for the Rider players and fans and all the other arena users.
Here it is.
Mike Mahon is one of the plumbers (and big hockey fan) working on the water system in the lobby area. Mike says the job is going well and the lobby area including washrooms should be finished within a couple of weeks.
That is a big step, at the time I talked to Mike some other contractors were getting the brine lines ready for the new plant. That is the second photo.
The City has also awarded the roofing contract and you can read that here at the end of the interview they say that the rink should be ready in September. (The roof not being done would not stop the rink from opening on time)
Below is Mike Mahon who is on the job working for Dale Johnson’s Plumbing and Heating. Check out some of the mangled water lines laying by the concession.
To the untrained eye the damage looks almost insurmountable, but when you have tradespeople who know what their doing they git er done.
It’s June 20th and the longest day of the year is tomorrow... and no it’s not because I’ll have a hangover... The solstice is Thursday @ 4:07 AM
Everyone in town has been patiently awaiting an update from the City of Fernie on the arena renovations... So me being the impatient one, I did my own update for the Rider players and fans and all the other arena users.
Here it is.
Mike Mahon is one of the plumbers (and big hockey fan) working on the water system in the lobby area. Mike says the job is going well and the lobby area including washrooms should be finished within a couple of weeks.
That is a big step, at the time I talked to Mike some other contractors were getting the brine lines ready for the new plant. That is the second photo.
The City has also awarded the roofing contract and you can read that here at the end of the interview they say that the rink should be ready in September. (The roof not being done would not stop the rink from opening on time)
Below is Mike Mahon who is on the job working for Dale Johnson’s Plumbing and Heating. Check out some of the mangled water lines laying by the concession.
To the untrained eye the damage looks almost insurmountable, but when you have tradespeople who know what their doing they git er done.
Thursday, 14 June 2018
President Bill Ohlhausen steps down...or retires
So the big news out of the KIJHL AGM last weekend was that longtime President Bill Ohlhausen has stepped down after 17 years and the league is now actively looking for a new President... or a Commissioner . The difference, a President for the most part does what the Governors want and a Commissioner has a longterm vision and leads the league in that direction.
We do know that Ohlhausen (sometimes unfairly) took a lot of heat from the owners, GM’s, coaches and referees over the years and because he was the President he was the guy who dealt with BC Hockey. Therefore he was right in the middle of the new face mask conspiracy (some think that word is appropriate) that ignited a firestorm throughout the league because it was never voted on by the Governors. (Remember the difference between a President and a Commissioner )
Every year there are, and always will be, all kinds of player and carding issues that fans never hear about and the President is always right in the middle of it. He is constantly putting out fires and even gets justifiably angry once in a while... at one time he even called what we do here trash, one of my finest moments. For the record, he isn’t the only one with those values ... nothing personal here I’m good with it.
Anyway I wouldn’t be expecting an old school hockey guy like Bill Ohlhausen to spill his guts and tell the public exactly why he stepped down. But if he did it would be an interesting read.
The league had a great thing going with Bill and his wife/secretary Mary who did a ton of paperwork for the league. That's another thing that the average fan knows nothing about, and they did both of those jobs for about thousand a month... it’s two full time jobs for christ’s sakes.
So the betting here is the new guy will have to set up an office (guess where the office is now?) and hire a secretary. That will cost way way more than 1000 a month...maybe as much as $5000 per team, certainly $3000.
In other news...
Sixteen year Secretary/Treasurer John Surovy has also retired, another job to fill.
So at the moment Vice President and former Nelson President Larry Martel (another big fan of this column, or not) has taken over until the KIJHL decides what exactly they want to do and Eddie Mountain VP Kathy Merkel (a tireless volunteer) is filling in for Surovy.
I wish Bill and Mary and John all the best in the future, that was a very trying job.
In other news...
Sixteen year Secretary/Treasurer John Surovy has also retired, another job to fill.
So at the moment Vice President and former Nelson President Larry Martel (another big fan of this column, or not) has taken over until the KIJHL decides what exactly they want to do and Eddie Mountain VP Kathy Merkel (a tireless volunteer) is filling in for Surovy.
I wish Bill and Mary and John all the best in the future, that was a very trying job.
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
The KIJHL’s AGM is this weekend... and the usual drivel
The KIJHL will be holding their AGM this weekend May 9th in Kamloops where they will likely finalize some sort of a hybrid crossover schedule with 49 games (up from 47) and a “Showcase" featuring all teams just minutes after the Christmas break.
I think these changes will make it through the AGM... but I’ve seen stranger things happen over the last 14 years that I've been covering the Riders in the KIJHL.
If I had my way I’d add a few more changes.
1/ The “Media Time Outs” would be optional, if a team's local media doesn't need or want the buzz killing time out... then don’t have it, make it optional.
2/ And, because they are paid and are forever preaching discipline to their players, the coaches suspensions should be listed along with the player suspensions on the KIJHL’s “Transaction Page” Especially the abuse of officials ones. Cause it’s hard to recruit new young officials and screaming and threatening never seems to help keep them in the game. It’s been tried before...
3/ Get Hockey Canada to do their job and use their powers to either make full face shields mandatory for all Jr B across the country or none, not just in BC... funny how BC Hockey wouldn’t dare even suggest that to the Jr A BCHL... who would end up giving them the old "Three Stooges” slap in the face and poke in the eyes . Nuk Nuk Nuk
New Ghostrider head Coach and General Manager Jeff Wagner was at the Alberni Valley Jr A camp in Cranbrook a few weeks ago then sent this out last week.
COMMITMENT ALERT: The Fernie Ghostriders are pleased to announce the KIJHL commitment of Defenceman Sawan Gill. Sawan played 24 games for the CNHA Canucks last year scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists. Welcome to the organization @SGill71 !! #RiderPride
At the end of last season Grayson Neufeld was picked by the coaches as the top defenceman and most inspirational player. Last week Neufeld was offered a chance to play at Minot State.
This from the Minot team website
"We are excited to add Grayson to our back end this upcoming season." Said Head Coach Wade Regier. "He is a player who has always prided himself on playing well in the defensive end. If you look at his numbers the last three seasons, they have continued to climb. We feel his best is still in front of him and will push him to improve each season.”
The Osoyoos Coyotes have hired former Melville Millionaire assistant coach Mark Chase as their Head Coach read all about that here
I think these changes will make it through the AGM... but I’ve seen stranger things happen over the last 14 years that I've been covering the Riders in the KIJHL.
If I had my way I’d add a few more changes.
1/ The “Media Time Outs” would be optional, if a team's local media doesn't need or want the buzz killing time out... then don’t have it, make it optional.
2/ And, because they are paid and are forever preaching discipline to their players, the coaches suspensions should be listed along with the player suspensions on the KIJHL’s “Transaction Page” Especially the abuse of officials ones. Cause it’s hard to recruit new young officials and screaming and threatening never seems to help keep them in the game. It’s been tried before...
3/ Get Hockey Canada to do their job and use their powers to either make full face shields mandatory for all Jr B across the country or none, not just in BC... funny how BC Hockey wouldn’t dare even suggest that to the Jr A BCHL... who would end up giving them the old "Three Stooges” slap in the face and poke in the eyes . Nuk Nuk Nuk
New Ghostrider head Coach and General Manager Jeff Wagner was at the Alberni Valley Jr A camp in Cranbrook a few weeks ago then sent this out last week.
COMMITMENT ALERT: The Fernie Ghostriders are pleased to announce the KIJHL commitment of Defenceman Sawan Gill. Sawan played 24 games for the CNHA Canucks last year scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists. Welcome to the organization @SGill71 !! #RiderPride
At the end of last season Grayson Neufeld was picked by the coaches as the top defenceman and most inspirational player. Last week Neufeld was offered a chance to play at Minot State.
This from the Minot team website
"We are excited to add Grayson to our back end this upcoming season." Said Head Coach Wade Regier. "He is a player who has always prided himself on playing well in the defensive end. If you look at his numbers the last three seasons, they have continued to climb. We feel his best is still in front of him and will push him to improve each season.”
The Osoyoos Coyotes have hired former Melville Millionaire assistant coach Mark Chase as their Head Coach read all about that here
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