Farewell: Nitros Fan Blogger, Signing Off

Everything has a time and a season.

After covering the Dynamiters, and at times the KIJHL, for six seasons, it is time for this blogger to take a step back from the keyboard and social media.

Blogging about the Dynamiters since the start of the 2013-14 season has been nothing but a delight and a joy. There have been highs, and there have been lows, and there have been many learning experiences.

It has been an absolute pleasure to watch the Nitros make the KIJHL Finals four times, see Jared Marchi's number be retired, watch Jerry Bancks coach his last game, watch an alumni game, cover the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Creston, see the walkway be constructed all the way around the arena, and watch Derek Stuart continue the Nitros winning tradition, and so on.

It has been a delight to get to know the players, report on their current experiences with the team, and then follow up with them as they pursue university, college, or career pursuits.

It has been overwhelming the positive support and appreciation from fans, but in particular, the parents and family of players who have sent their young men to a different community, city, and province to play a sport they love. I have enjoyed being that bridge of connection and information.

However, during those six years, my life has changed. My children are growing and have developed their own lives. My own professional and personal pursuits have changed and grown.

As I noticed frequently this past season, my children, family, and work schedule came at odds with the Nitros schedule. It resulted in a feeling of shortcoming, but also a realization of the time that has gone by, and that everything has a time and a season.

So, it is at this time I say thank you to the Dynamiters organization, and the KIJHL, for their support and encouragement. But it is now time for me to bid adieu.

This is Josh Lockhart, I'll see you (less frequently) at the Nitros games, signing off.

Story: Kimberley Dynamiters 2019 AGM

The Kimberley Dynamiters organization recently held their Annual General Meeting to nominate and elect new board members and committee chairs.

Prior to the nominations was the presidents and treasurer report.

Team President James Leroux was thrilled with the teams performance on and off the ice. He was pleased with head coach and general managers Derek Stuart's ability to continually build a competitive team, highlighting that this was supposed to be a "rebuilding" year.

Leroux is also anticipating another successful season for the Dynamiters in 2019-2020.

The Dynamiters Treasurer, Troy Pollock, reported an unaudited profit of $6,344.05 for the team this past season. It's a considerable improvement to last years loss of $15,846.19 (the loss was attributed to the cost of rebuilding the dressing room).

Pollock credits the success of the booster booth, concession, and an increase in season ticket holders for the teams financial success this season.

At the start of the nominations, it was announced that two board members: Al Rice, and Tasha Johnston, were not going to be returning next season.

During the nomination and elections, there was the addition of two new board members: Kim Leroux, and Tom Neale.

After the nomination and election period, the following is the Nitros board of directors:
President: James Leroux
Vice President: Mark Anderson, Glen Johnston
Past President: Vacant
Secretary: Karrie Hall
Treasurer: Troy Pollock
Directors at Large: Robyn Wardle, Jodi L'Heureux, Nancy Sebolsky, Kim Leroux, Tom Neale, Chad Koran, and Amber Anderson.

The following were elected as chairs of their committee:
Billet Coordinator: Jodi L'Heureux
Booster Booth: Amber Anderson
Ticket Booth: Mark Anderson
Game Night Event Coordinator: Robyn Wardle
Beer Booth: Nancy Sebolsky
Equipment: Chard Koran
Webcast: Troy Bobak
Social Media: Jodi L'Heureux and Melanie Holloway
Team Community Involvement: Derek Stuart
Fundraising: Jodi L'Heureux
50/50 Coordinators: Mark Anderson and Tom Neale
Season Ticket: Jodi L'Heurex and Kim Leroux
Security Coordinator: Kim Leroux

It was then emphasized to those in attendance that the team is always in need of volunteers in various capacities.

That concluded the Kimberley Dynamiters 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Story: Spencer Kennedy commits to Laronge Ice Wolves

A Dynamiter is moving on to the next level of junior hockey.

The Kimberley Dynamiters announced earlier this week that Spencer Kennedy committed to the Laronge Ice Wolves (SJHL) for the 2019-20 season.

"I'm pretty excited to get this opportunity," Kennedy said. "I hope I can make the most of it."

"Spencer had a great season with us and developed into a top player in our league." Nitros head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "We are very happy for him to be moving on to Junior A."

The Lethbridge, AB native is excited to be book-ending his home province as he moves from playing hockey in BC this past season to Saskatchewan next season.

"It's pretty cool that you get to experience different lifestyles. It will be different living in the trees of Kimberley to living in the farms in Saskatchewan. I'm excited for the new experience."

In 37 games this season with the Nitros, Kennedy scored 15 goals and 32 assists, adding 128 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, the 18 year old scored seven goals and three assists in 17 games while amassing 92 penalty minutes.

Reflecting on the season, Kennedy credits the teams work ethic for his success.

"With the team we had, everyone was pushing each other in practice to be better."

He also credited the playoff push, saying that the scouts tipping point for recruiting him happened during the KIJHL Finals against the Revelstoke Grizzlies.

As he leaves the organization, he was appreciative of the team, organization, and the community of Kimberley.

"It was one of the greatest years of hockey I have ever had."

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton

Podcast: Season Finale; Year in Review; Farewell to Skytt & Bamber

A Reflection of the Kimberley Dynamiters 2018/19 Season with HC/GM Derek Stuart

The Kimberley Dynamiters did an admirable job during the 2018-19 season as they defended their 2018 KIJHL title.

At the start of the season, there was a lot of questions. The camp was filled with new faces, as at the time of camp, there was only eight returning players: Derian Bamber, Brandt Bertoia, Lucas Chilton, Chase Gedny, Bryce McDonald, Brock Palmer, and Luke Recchi.

"We had a lot of question marks early in the year," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said reflecting on the season.

At the start of the season, assistant coach Jeff Keiver, said that fans could expect new faces, and "a younger team that is fast, likely with higher scoring games."

That's just what happened. The Nitros games had an average nine goals in them, this declined to six goals a game on average by the post season.

In September, the Nitros lost two out of eight games, then for the remainder of the regular season they only lost three more games in 41 games.

Stuart praised the team for gelling together quickly.

As the Dynamiters started to have success, they kept adding key players to bolster the lineup.

First was the surprise, but welcome return of Cam Russell.

"It was a huge boost. He's a really great all around player in every aspect of the game." Stuart said. "It gave us the McDowell, Russell, down the middle, one-two punch.

"It was pretty significant, and was definitely the first turning point."

Next the Dynamiters acquired depth down the middle, acquiring the Castlegar Rebels assistant captain, Brady Daniels. Daniels was apart of the Rebels amazing winstreak the previous season, and said when he was acquired that he could feel something special with the Nitros and their ability to string wins together.

Then the Nitros tangoed with their division opponent the Columbia Valley Rockies to acquire the Rockies captain Ryan Skytt. Then they added even more leadership by acquiring the captain of the Castlegar Rebels, defender Kole Halvorson.

"The guys we had were playing so good, we were in first place, top five in the league. The players forced us to make this a championship team.

"That's more than a coach could ever want, is for a team to force his hand like that."

In the mix of those trades the Nitros went on a massive 12-game winning streak, that came to a screeching halt at the hands of the Fernie Ghostriders.

The Nitros also lost one of their 20 year old players to injury. Bryce McDonald broke his leg and he made an incredible effort to score on a fast break.

Despite the heart-ache of losing a teammate, the Nitros found the motivation to string together another winning streak that would last several rounds into the playoffs.

"We really gelled," Stuart said, "after January 10th, and everyone knows they are here for sure, it is a huge relief, and they can just go have fun and play hockey.

"The guys had a lot of fun out there in practice and in a lot of the games.

"When you get guys that like playing with eachother and for eachother than it is really is to have fun if they are working hard and having success."

In the first round, the Dynamiters downed divisional opponent the Golden Rockets in four game. They would then sweep the Fernie Ghostriders to take the Eddie Mountain Division.

After winning the Eddie Mountain Division, Stuart said, "we are just expecting to win every game that we play."

It would take until Game Four of the Kootenay Conference Finals against the Beaver Valley Nitehawks for the Nitros to lose a game, winning an astounding 25 games in a row.

Sadly after that loss, the Nitros would only win two of their next six games.

One win would be good enough to become the Kootenay Conference Champions, and enter the KIJHL Finals for the fourth time in five years.

"To get there was a great testament to the guys and how hard they work.

"They worked extremely hard, and got themselves to the finals."

In the Finals, injuries would start to pile up, and the Nitros would only be able to muster one win as they faced an incredibly hot goalie. A goalie, for the record, that would lead the Revelstoke Grizzlies not just to being the KIJHL Champions, but also the Cyclone Taylor Cup.

Now that the season is done, the players have returned home.

It's too early to tell who is returning for next season, Stuart said, so for now he will be going to junior identification camps in Calgary and Edmonton.

Lastly, Stuart expressed gratitude for Nitro Nation, and the amazing fan support.

"On behalf of the team and fans, I'd like to thank the fans for another phenomenal year of support and loyalty.

"It's amazing everytime they come out. It's very loud in there, the boys love it, and it is one my biggest recruiting tools."

The Dynamiters will be holding their annual general meeting. It is a great opportunity for fans to see how they can be involved with the team.

MATCH STICKS: The Revelstoke Grizzlies won gold at the Cyclone Taylor Cup with a 5-1 win over the the Victoria Cougars (VIJHL).

Story: The Kimberley Dynamiters return home trailing the Revelstoke Grizzlies in the KIJHL Finals 3-1

Heading into Revelstoke the KIJHL Finals series was tied at one game each. Leaving Revelstoke, the Kimberley Dynamiters trail the Revelstoke Grizzlies 3-1 in the best of seven series.

Penalties early in the second stung the Nitros and they were not able to recover. Grizzlies Ethan Schaeffer scored on the power play. Shortly afterward the Grizzlies added two more goals by Ryan Pereverzoff and Ullar Wiatzka.

"We shot ourselves in the foot in the period by not sticking to our defensive zone system." Dynamiters head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Two of their first three goals were scored from spots where we are supposed to have a guy.

"They are an opportunistic team, and made us pay for those mistakes. After that, it was an even game."

Stuart was even more frustrated with the three cross-checking penalties in a row called against his team.

"Two of the three were blatant dives by their players. I was warned before the series started from a coach in their conference that they dive a lot and we need to do a better job adjusting to it because they have the referee's completely fooled."

The second period was scoreless. The Dynamiters were playing without Brock Palmer and Captain Chase Gedny, and it seemed their presence was missed on the power play.

Stuart felt otherwise, "not having Palmer and Gedny in the lineup isn't an excuse." He then pointed out the opposition, "Revelstoke had their best forward and best defenceman out tonight, and their other top players were better than ours. Simple as that."

Then in the third, Nathan Bailer, who played 11 games for Kimberley to start the season before being traded to Revelstoke, scored back-to-back goals.

All of a sudden it was 5-0, and a repeat of Game Three.

The Grizzlies now have a strangle hold on the series, up three games to one, after back-to-back 5-0 victories in Revelstoke.

The series now returns to Kimberley for a decisive Game Five on Thursday at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

Stuart kept his answer simple for what the team needs to do in Game Five, "We need to score a goal."

That being said, the Nitros are looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.

"We will definitely feed off the great fans that we have and hopefully play Nitros hockey like we have many times before at home."

Puck drop is 7pm.

Story: Kimberley Dynamiters shutout in Game Three of KIJHL Finals

It's fair to say that Game Three of the KIJHL Finals for the Kimberley Dynamiters against the Revelstoke Grizzlies did not go according to plan.

By the end of the first period, the Nitros were trailing the Grizzlies 2-0. Goals were by Grizzlies Brenden Vulcano and Raymond Speerbrecker.

"We had a good start until Palmer got hurt." Nitros head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Then they scored on the power play on a terrible call on Cam Russell and that put us in a hole after 20 minutes."

In the second, the Nitros restricted the Grizzlies to one goal, scored by Matt Cadden. The Nitros, however, did outshoot the Grizz 17-5 in the middle period.

In the third, the Nitros edged out the Grizz in shots, 12-9; But the Grizzlies had two goals scored by Ryan Pereverzoff and former Nitro Nathan Bailer.

The Grizzlies won the game 5-0, and took a 2-1 series lead.

"After the first period we played great," Stuart said reflecting on the game. "Outshot them 29-14, and had way more scoring chances despite them having six power plays and us only having two."

Brett Anderson and Adam Andersen shared crease duties. This is the second game in a row where goalies were swapped. In Game Two the Grizzlies changed their goalies midway through the game.

This is also the first time the Nitros have been shutout all season.

"We had more than enough scoring chances to win." Stuart said confidently. "McGarva played great but we need to bear down on our chances."

Game Four is tonight. A win for the Nitros and the series becomes a best of three. A loss, and the Dynamiters will be facing elimination at home on Thursday.

For Stuart, he knows his team can and must play a 60-minute game, "We can’t have 14 minute lull like we did after Palmer got hurt.

"If we play the entire game like we did the last two periods I think we’ll get the result we want."

Faceoff is at 8PM tonight.