Podcast: Bloggers Blurb & Exh Game Review vs Fernie Ghostriders

Kimberley Dynamiters lose exhibition game 4-3

The Kimberley Dynamiters played their first exhibition game Thursday night against the Fernie Ghostriders. For the 'Rdiers, it was their third exhibition game.

"The structure is slowly getting there." Jeff Wagner, Fernie's head coach and general manager said. "We are changing the way we play this year. Fernie has usually been a meat and potato, big and tough.

"This year we are looking at gain some speed, that way when we come to places like Kimberley we are not getting skated around."

The 'Riders still do not have access to their arena, so they are currently living out of their suitcases, trying to make the best of the situation.

Bryce McDonald opened the scoring for the game, giving the Dynamiters a 1-0 lead.

"It felt good, scoring right off the bat, it helps get the monkey off the back from the off-season." McDonald said, "I just hope to keep it rolling into the season."

From that point on, the Ghostriders took control of the scoreboard.

"There was some tentativeness," Carson Loftsgard, Nitro's associate coach said, "but that comes with the unfamiliarity of playing with each other. Most of them have never played together."

The second period was bogged down by penalties, as the players and officials try to adjust to the new rules that came with the newly minted cages.

As the third period drew to a close, Brandon Pelletier, was able to draw the Nitro's in closer. Then as the period ended, Derian Bamber scored. But it was not enough, as the Nitro's would lose 4-3.

"When we were 5-on-5, we did well. We had 40 shots on net. We played really well when we had the puck."

Adam Andersen and Matt Merkle shared crease duties in the exhibition game loss, together they faced 25 shots.

While winning would have been nice, the primary purpose of the exhibition game is to evaluate players.

"The game gave as an opportunity to look at a lot of individuals and evaluate where they are at at this point." Loftsgard said. "By that measurement stick, the game was a success."

For Loftsgard he was most impressed with was having more than 600 fans show up for a mid-week exhibition game. He also appreciated the moment of silence for Brad Tipper.

"Those moments, it is a real sense of community."

The Nitro's have one more exhibition game on Saturday against the Columbia Valley Rockies in Invermere.

"We are just looking to evaluate the players, to give them opportunity to play within the system work we have done. Can you learn and play within a system and show us that you can grown within a system."

For McDonald, he wants to see less penalties, "We just gotta stay out of the box, worry about just the game. And execute the game plan well, instead of running around trying to kill everyone, sort of speak."

Lead photo by Jonathan Righton

Podcast: More on Nitro's Camp & Get to know North Okanagan Knights co-GM

Story: Kimberley Dynamiters sign three after camp, prepare for exhibition games

The Kimberley Dynamiters signed three players after their main camp finished, as they continue to plug the roster holes left open after last seasons championship banner year.

Neil Kingston, Brandon Pelletier, and Keegan McDowell were all named to the team.

Kingston ('00) calls Calgary, Alberta home. In 26 games with the NWCAA Stamps Midget AA the 5'8" forward scored 14 goals and 16 assists. He added two goals and two assists in seven playoff games.

Pelletier ('00) is from St. Albert, Alberta. The 5'10" forward played with the St. Albert Blues Midget AA team last season. He earned 24 goals and 13 assists in 31 games, while adding six points in four playoff games.

McDowell ('00) just finished trying out for the West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL). He is from Lethbridge, Alberta; and played for the Lethbridge Hurricanes Midget AAA last season. He registered eight goals and assists in 31 games, but then produced five goals and six assists in 12 playoff games.

Nitro's head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said that the team will continue to tweak their roster during their two exhibition games.

"We are going to look for our leaders and veterans to lead the way, looking for guys who are competing and doing whatever they can to earn a spot on this team.

"Hopefully they make our decisions tough"

On Thursday, the Nitro's host the Fernie Ghostriders in their first exhibition game. The 'Riders have already played two exhibition games. Tying both of them 2-2 against the Columbia Valley Rockies and the Golden Rockets.

Then on Saturday the Nitro's play the Rockies in Invermere. The Rockies have tied the 'Riders, and lost 3-1 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies in their exhibition play.

Lead photo by Charlie Lockhart

Story: The Kimberley Dynamiters Camp was a success

The Kimberley Dynamiters held their main camp this past weekend. While the turnout was lower than anticipated, the Nitro's saw the quality talent that they hoped for at their camp.

"It was competitive," Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "There wasn't anyone out of place, despite the low numbers. I was pleased with the intensity and the work ethic."

Stuart said that Junior A and Junior B teams from across western Canada held their camps this past weekend.

Stuart hopes that next year the season will start later, so that the Junior B camps can start after the Junior A camps, comparable to how the AHL starts after the NHL.

"For us to start our camps at the same time as Junior A, and then actually start our season before they do, makes absolutely no sense; to all the coaches I have spoken." He said.

There were several returning players at camp: Adam Andersen, Derian Bamber, Brandt Bertoia, Lucas Chilton, Chase Gedny, Bryce McDonald, Brock Palmer, and Luke Recchi.

"I was impressed." Stuart said of the veterans. "Some of them were in good physical condition, some were in excellent physical condition.

"I was impressed with them carrying from where we left off from last year. They are champions. They know how to act and practice. They displayed that this weekend."

Bertoia is entering his last season of junior hockey and is really appreciating his teammates, "I love theses guys. We are all tight. We are just good buddies. A good group of guys."

But added, "I need to take on more of a leadership role this year. It's a young team, they are going to look up to us."

Recchi had specific off-season workouts, and his efforts showed through camp, for the most part he was just glad to be back.

"It's been great to be back in town and back on the ice. It is awesome to be back with the guys and to meet the new guys."

There were also two former Nitro's Jared Marchi and Coy Prevost that skated and helped out with the camp

"We welcome our alumni back to skate or help out whenever they can." Stuart said. "It's a sign and proof that you can move on from here."

The Dynamiters have named their exhibition roster and have two games this week. Thursday at 7pm at the Civic Centre against the Fernie Ghostriders. On Saturday they travel to Invermere to play the Rockies at 7:30pm.

Lead photo by Charlie Lockhart

Podcast: At the Kimberley Dynamiters Camp

Podcast: The Dynamiters Camp is coming up!

Story: The Kimberley Dynamiters main camp is this weekend

The camp will go on! Despite the City of Kimberley being under an evacuation alert, the Kimberley Dynamiters will continue with their main camp this coming weekend, August 24-August 26.

Keeping with the mantra that the City has had, they Dynamiters are open for business.

"We are trying to go day by day." Head coach and general manager Derek Stuart said. "Apart from all the smoke, carry on as normal."

With the success that the Nitro's had last season, competing in the Cyclone Taylor Cup until mid-April, has led to a shorter off season, impacting recruitment.

Stuart says that enrollment for camp has been low, citing that there are over 15 other Junior B teams having camps this weekend in BC and Alberta.

Despite the low recruitment, there is expected to be about eight returning players: Derian Bamber, Brandt Bertoia, Lucas Chilton, Chase Gedny, Bryce McDonald, Brock Palmer, Luke Recchi, and Adam Anderson. Plus the off-season acquisition Mitch Fargey.

The camp is open to the public. Stuart said that fans can "definitely expect to see some speed and some skill. We have four point or more veterans returning. I'm hoping that the compete level is at an intensity that shows the guys are trying to make the hockey club."

This will also be a great opportunity for fans to see the four local players signed this off-season: Braiden Koran, Ryan Bennett, Jackson Bohan, and Erik Delaire.

"They still need to approach this as a camp to keep the spot that they have been given." Stuart added.

The evacuation alert, unfortunately, has impacted the camps registration. Stuart said that two players cancelled shortly after the alert was given; but couldn't confirm that was the exact reason for the cancellation.

It has been reported that Kimberley is not in imminent danger, but Stuart says that the team is ready if the status changes from alert to order.

"Most players coming in here are coming with a friend or parent that will have a vehicle and can get out of here. The veterans that are with billets, we will make sure they get out, if need be."

Information about the camp schedule will be available on Wednesday by the Nitro's.

Lead photo by Sheldon Ellingson

Past Nitro: Isaac Schacher

Isaac Schacher played for the Kimberley Dynamiters from 2011-2013.

This past season he played for the University of Regina. In 27 games he posted seven assists.

Past Nitro: Colton Vannucci

Colton Vannucci played for one season with the Kimberley Dynamiters, 2011-12.

He played this past season with York University. He scored 10 goals and 10 assists in 28 games. He then added four goals and five assists in nine playoff games.

Past Nitro: Bryce Nielsen

Bryce Nielsen finished his junior career with the Kimberley Dynamiters in 2014.

He played this past season with New England College (NCAA Div III). He scored 11 goals and 12 assists over 26 games. He was named to his conferences All-Conference third team.

Past Nitro: Tyler Garcia

Tyler Garcia split two seasons with the Kimberley Dynamiters from 2013-2015. Finishing his KIJHL career with the Nelson Leafs.

This past season he played with the North Shore Knights in the Federal Hockey League. In six games with them, he scored three goals and three assists.

Past Nitro: Jordan Roy

Jordan Roy played one season with the Kimberley Dynamiters, winning the 2015 KIJHL Championship.

He started the season with the Red Deer Rebels, then went to the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL), before finishing the season with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. In total played 21 games scoring three goals and five assists. He then added one goal and three assists in nine playoff games with the Oil Barons.

Past Nitro: Coy Prevost

Coy Prevost played one full season with the Kimberley Dynamiters, 2014-15, winning the KIJHL Championship.

This past season, Prevost started the season as the captain for the Canmore Eagles, scoring 17 goals and 22 assists in 38 games, before being traded to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. He then scored six goals and six assists in 18 games, then added a goal and five assists in 10 playoff games.

He is committed to play with the University of Windsor this upcoming season.

Past Nitro: Tyler Kinnon

Tyler Kinnon played two seasons with the Kimberley Dynamiters, 2013-2015, finishing his KI career as champion.

After taking a season off, Kinnon played for the University of Wyoming (ACHA II) this past season. In 22 games he scored one goal and seven assists.

Past Nitro: Jonas Gordon

Jonas Gordon played one season with the Kimberley Dynamiters, 2014-15; winning the KIJHL Championship.

This past season Gordon played with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (ACHA). In 28 games he scored six goals and 10 assists.

Past Nitro: Trevor Van Steinburg

Trevor Van Steinburg played with the Kimberley Dynamiters for two seasons from 2014-2016. He was part of the 2015 KIJHL Championship team.

This past season he played with the Canmore Eagles. He was an assistant captain to start he season and ended the year as the captain. He scored 10 goals and 8 assists in 50 games, then going pointless in three playoff games.