Podcast: Nitro Express

Story: Three Nitro Xpress move on to college

The Nitro's Xpress Hockey Academy had three players commit to playing college hockey for the upcoming season: Kim Simoneau, Laurel Davidson, and Bailey Park.

Both Simoneau and Davidson are off to the newly branded University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, and are starting their first ever women's hockey program. While Park has committed to play with Norwich University.

Simoneau is from Olds, Alberta, and played goaltender for the Xpress. "I want to enjoy the experience while it lasts," Simoneau said. "we are not going to be playing hockey forever. I just want to get the most out of it.

"I really hope to get another family out of this team."

Davidson is from Whitefish, Montana and was a forward for the Xpress. "I really am excited to play college hockey, because I didn't think I was going to be able to because I didn't want to go to the east coast, because that is really far away.

"It has a special excitement for me with being a part of girls hockey in Montana." Davidson said relating her efforts to grow hockey in the state. "It's important for young girls to see that they can play hockey and don't have to go to the east coast. To me, that really hits home, the development within the Montana hockey world."

Even though Davidson is returning to play in her home state, she says that Kimberley is actually closer to her hometown than the University of Providence.

Park is a local defender who made headlines a couple of years ago when she committed, while in grade 10, to play with Yale University. That commitment changed to Norwich this past season.

"It is scary." Park said about making the adjustment to college hockey, "I don't want to be a bad rookie on the team. But it is really exciting. I can't wait.

"I'm excited to get my degree, have a job, be a better hockey player, and all the other new experiences."

Park finished her interview with a message for all the little girls in Kimberley currently playing or considering playing hockey: "play hockey and don't quit. Hockey is a great sport to get you places. It is super fun, you make so many friendships, and you just become a better person. Do it and you won't regret it."

Full interviews will be available on the Nitro's Night in Kimberley Podcast.

Past Nitro: Braeden Ostepchuk

Braeden Ostepchuk played for the Kimberley Dynamiters during the 2011-12 season.

This season, Ostepchuk played for Norwich University (NCAA Div III). He had a 12-5-2 record in 20 games, while also posting a 2.04 GAA and .924 SV%. He was named to his conferences All-Conference second team, a ACHA Scholar All-American, and College Sports Information Directors of America (Co-SIDA) Academic All-American of the Year (read the full story here).

He also played one game Pensacola Ice Flyers in the Southern Professional Hockey League, and one game with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the East Coast Hockey League.

Past Nitro: Liam McBain

Liam McBain played as a backup goalie during the Kimberley Dynamiters 2014-15 season, the Nitro's KIJHL Championship season.

This year McBain played Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ACHA Div II). He played in 19 games, winning 10, while posting a 3.93 GAA and a .879 SV%.

Past Nitro: Matt Climie

Matt Climie played for the Kimberley in the 2000-01 season, when the team was a part of the AWHL.

This season Climie played for the HKm Zvolen. He played in 11 games posting a 2.59 GAA and .909 SV%.

He is slated to play next season with the HC Innsbruck (EBEL).

Past Nitro: Tyson Brouwer

Tyson Brouwer played for the Kimberley Dynamiters from 2013-2016, winning the KIJHL championship is 2015.

This season was Brouwer's 2nd year with the University of Jamestown (ACHA). He played in 30 games posting a 2.39 GAA, a 919 SV% and a 19-8-1 record. He was also named to the ACHA D1 All-Tournament team.

Podcast: Meet the New KIJHL President; Plus the past KI Pres & Cranbrook player going to BCHL

KIJHL President Ohlhausen retires, Martel to resume duties temporarily

The KIJHL experienced major changes at the AGM a week ago. President Bill Ohlhausen resigned from his position. Vice President for the Doug Birks Division, Larry Martel, filled the vacancy.

Also, treasurer John Surovy left his position, which Vice President for the Eddie Mountain Division, Kathy Merkel, will be filling.

Why all of this short-term plugging of the vacancies? It is because the league is looking at changing it's leadership structure to have a commissioner in place by October, says new president Martel.

"[Being the current league president] is a temporary position as we going through this reorganization." He said. "They needed someone in the leadership position to still continue with the day-to-day administration."

To outsiders, this change seems very rapid, but internally this new leadership structure has been in the works for about 24 months.

The league is trying to shift away from a volunteer leadership, as it is now, and follow in the footsteps of the BCHL and have a paid commissioner that reports to the board.

Martel said that BC Hockey wants to be a part of the process as the KIJHL is reorganized. A governance committee has been created to look over the restructuring.

Adding a paid commissioner to the league is going to have a financial impact on the league, teams, players, and fans.

According to Martel there is a discrepancy among the teams about the role of the position and it's pay, sharing that in a survey teams thought the position should be as low as $30,000 to as high as $150,000.

"We are going to have to come in somewhere and get consensus, so there is still work to do." Martel said.

To be able to pay the commissioner, league fees will be increased for the teams. Who then in turn will need to look at raising their player fees, marketing budgeting, or ticket prices.

"There is always fear of the unknown." Martel said, "But it's an exciting time for the league."

As for Ohlhausen he is looking forward to enjoying his retirement.

"I feel it is time after being president for 16 years of the KIJHL, it is time for someone else to step in."

Ohlhausen and his wife contributed a significant amount of time to the league. They will be missed, but now they can both enjoy their retirement.

MATCH STICKS: The full interviews with Ohlhausen and Martel will be on this weeks episode of the Nitro's Night in Kimberley Podcast.

Podcast: New Nitro, KIJHL AGM - Plus some lacrosse

Kimberley Dynamiters sign another local player

The Kimberley Dynamiters signed another local player late last week, forward Ryan Bennett ('02).

"It is huge for me. Being a 15-year old right now and playing next year in the KIJHL as a 16 year old, it is a really big step for me," Bennett said. "I am really looking forward to playing with the older guys, especially in my hometown."

Bennett grew up in Cranbrook and played the 2017-18 season with the Kootenay Ice Midget AAA team in Trail. In 33 games he scored seven goals and seven assists. He was an affiliate player with the Castlegar Rebels as well, dressing in five games.

"It was a big jump going from major midget to Junior B." Bennett said about his affiliate games. "I had a lot of fun doing it, it definitely helped me improve."

Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart pounced on signing Bennett when he had the chance.

"Once the season was over, you are allowed to talk to affiliates, and I talked to Ryan right away. Let him know that we were interested. We were happy to sign him last week."

"He will bring a great compete level." Stuart said of Bennett. "He wants to get better, he wants to play in Junior A, he wants to go on to the NCAA.

"If he plays like he can, he can contribute offensively as well. He has great hands, good speed, and good offensive skills. He is very good defensively as well."

Bennett is excited to be playing hockey at home for this coming season.

"I'm really excited to play in front of my friends and family. It will be a great experience. I'll be able to live at home, which is huge!"

Bennett joins Braiden Koran, Jackson Bohan, and Erik Delaire, as the fourth local player signed by the Dynamiters since the start of June.

"It is great for the fans." Stuart said of the four signings. "It's great for Kimberley and Cranbrook minor hockey that they can produce players that grow up and are eventually playing a high level of junior hockey."

He then added, "all four of them, I don't see staying with the Dynamiters too long, they should all be in Junior A, if they develop properly."

The first opportunity to see the four players in a Nitro's jersey is at the Dynamiters Main Camp from August 24-26.

The Nitro's Night in Kimberley Podcast: S1E2 - New Local Players, Aboriginal Team BC, Former Nitro in Lacrosse

The Kimberley Dynamiters sign three local players

The Kimberley Dynamiters have added to their roster for the 2018-19 season by signing local talent. The Nitro's announced on June 1st that they had signed Jackson Bohan, Erik Delaire, and Braiden Koran.

"We are very excited to sign three highly sought after Midget AAA players." Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Having Jackson, Braiden and Erik as affiliates last season gave the coaches the opportunity to evaluate them as players and get to know them personally.

"All three are excellent hockey players, but more importantly they're good kids with team first attitudes"

Bohan is a 5'10" defender from Cranbrook, BC, who played the 2017-18 season with the Kootenay Ice Midget AAA. In 33 games he scored five goals and four assists. He was also an affiliate player with the Dynamiters and played in five games.

"I'm really excited to be with a great organization." Bohan said. "Really excited to have a good year and develop a lot more."

Bohan is also excited to be able to play from home, "I get live at home, and go to school at home. It feels like a home town team. It means quite a bit to be able to play in front of a hometown crowd."

"Jackson skates well and is very good with the puck." Stuart said. "He will be a big help breaking out of our zone and has the potential to develop into an offensive defenceman"

Delaire is a 6'1" forward from Cranbrook, BC. Last year he was a teammate with Bohan, playing with the Kootenay Ice Midget AAA. In 38 games Delaire scored nine goals and 17 assists. He affiliated with the Dynamiters as well, playing two regular season games and four playoff games. He was even named a star of the game is first affiliate game.

"It's a very big honour to be a part of a team, that as a kid I would watch the Dynamiters with my grandparents; to be a part of the organization as a player is huge for myself and my family."

"It's something, that my parents and I always wanted. At times I have had to move away for hockey. To be home and graduate with my friends and be with my family and the support of the community of Kimberley and Cranbrook, it is something I will cherish."

"Erik has a very high hockey IQ." Stuart said. "He works hard and does a lot of things very well. He can play both centre and right wing and is capable of playing in all situations"

Koran is a 5'10" forward from Kimberley, BC. He originally made the Nitro's roster at the start of the 2017-18 season, and then finished the season as an affiliate player. He played eight games in the regular season, scoring one goal, and then dressed for three playoff games.

"It's awesome. It's a big step, but I feel I am ready for it."

Koran feels some of the pressure to fill in the shoes of the local players from seasons prior, hopefully I can be successful there and show the town what they have grown up."

"Playing physical, using his size and strength will create chances for Braiden to use his skill and shoot the puck." Stuart said of Koran. "The release and power of his shot are elite for junior hockey."

For Stuart, he expects the players to step in immediately. "They have already proven they can play at this level and they already know what it takes to win a Championship. All three will be expected to contribute right away."