Friday 8 September 2017

2017-18 Eddie Mountain Division Predictions

As has become tradition for me at the start of each season, predictions for the final standings in the Eddie Mountain Division.

I don't always pick the Dynamiters to win, last year I picked the Fernie Ghostriders, which Coach Stuart used against me early in the season.

Noting that I picked Fernie to win, who finished third last season, let it be known that I have had a terrible record in past seasons, so I consider this more of a discussion than gospel.

Keep in mind that this is with rosters as they are right now, which may change substantially by the end of this month.

Here are my predictions for this coming season in the highly competitive Eddie Mountain Division:
  1. Kimberley Dynamiters - The Nitro's made it all the way to the conference finals last year, and many of the 11 returning players want to go all the way to the KIJHL finals this season (if not further). The Nitro's sport one of the best D-core's in the KIJHL - All of them are KI vets, and three are 20-year olds. The biggest Q for the Nitro's this season right now is goaltending, as they have two rookies in net, not to mention shortest goalies in the division.
  2. Fernie Ghostriders - The 'Riders have returning players and have added experience to their lineup. Mitch Titus will lead this team as a 20 year old. Brandon Youngson shone between the pipes during moments last season, and then they added the HUGE 6'4" Zak Larson in net who went to the KI finals last year with the Chase Heat. The 'Riders are rocking 11 rookies this season, but have filled some roster spots with past KI players.
  3. Columbia Valley Rockies - The Rockies have been trying to build around a core group of players, and have filled the other holes with KI vets and rookies. Jaret Bordt and Davin Burton will lead this team as the only 20-year olds. Players like Tyler Bordt, Mike Dyck, Chase Hawkins, Colby Sherlock, and Ryan Skytt will only improve compared to last season.
  4. Golden Rockets - Will this be the year that the recently re-branded Rockets get out of the basement? I believe it is. Even though squad only improved by one point, from the 2015-16 season to the 2016-17 season. Darion Nordick, recently named captain, is one of two 20-year olds, and has a great chance to make the most of his ice time. The other 20 year old Ayrton Chapman has not played a single game in the KI. Overall, the Rockets have a lot of unknowns in their roster (which is typical for Jr B), bur after two seasons of adversity, this is their year to have success and reach the playoffs.
  5. Creston Valley Thunder Cats - It's like Thunder Cats version 2.0; there are only six, that's right SIX returning players. It feels like a changing of the guard for the 2017 Cyclone Taylor Cup hosts as a bulk of their roster is players born in 1999. Even though this team just won silver at the CTC just five months ago, everything is new. Liam Plunkett and Ronnie Wilkie will carry a heavy burden of leading this young team.
And I am sure I have just angered - yet again - the entire Creston Valley.

But remember, the Cats like to hang this over my head:
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