Brock Palmer and Harrison Risdon selected for KIJHL Prospects Showcase

The KIJHL Prospects Showcase is coming up on January 13 in Kelowna. The game will feature two prospect teams, one representing the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference, the other the Kootenay Conference.

Two Kimberley Dynamiters have been selected to represent the Kootenay Conference in the showcase: Brock Palmer and Harrison Risdon.

"Honestly feels pretty good." Risdon said, "there are a lot of good 2000 and 2001 in the league this year that could have been picked over me."

"It's awesome." Palmer said. "It's great that the league is recognizing me."

Palmer currently leads all KIJHL rookies in scoring with 21 goals and 46 points in 30 games, stats that Palmer feels contributed to him being selected.

"Palmer was a no-brainer for this game as he is the top rookie scorer in the league," head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said, "and he has proven he is an elite offensive talent at this level."

This will be Risdon's second time attending the showcase. He attended last year with along with teammate Caige Sterzer.

"Even though Risdon is only 17 years old he is developing into a key defensive defensemen for us," Stuart said, "while also establishing himself as a physically intimidating presence."

Unlike last year, this years showcase includes five 18 year olds per roster. A change that was made at the 2017 KIJHL annual general meeting. Stuart was excited about the addition of 18 year olds, but he would still like to see more.

"The majority of the best prospects in our division and conference are 18 year olds" Stuart said, "who are here with the goal of developing for a year before moving onto Junior A."

Stuart then added, "by limiting the number of 18 year olds to five per conference, we are not helping some of our best players get the exposure that they deserve and are looking for by coming to our league."

And Stuart may have a case. Looking at last years showcase, including backup players for the game, 16 of the 48 players moved on to Junior A or the WHL. While 27 players remained in Junior B hockey, in the KIJHL or other leagues.

For Palmer and Risdon, they are both looking forward to the opportunity that the showcase brings.

"I’m just going to play my game," Risdon said, "and hope to be seen so I️ have the chance to play junior A next year."

"I am going to try as hard as I can," Palmer said, "I am just excited for that opportunity."

Both of them travel to Kelowna after next Tuesday's game. The KIJHL has blacked out next weekends games for the showcase.