The 2017/18 Western Hockey League (WHL) season is going to be one of pure renewal for the Kootenay ICE.

New ownership and management bring crisp hustle and mojo to the franchise; new coaching staff led by James Patrick brims with experience and qualifications; and the on-ice product has promise and, based on pre-season work, a strong compete level.

President and general manager Matt Cockell yesterday (Sept. 18) continued a bid to bring leadership to his young club.

Utility forward Jake Elmer and a 2018 fifth round draft pick were shipped to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for 1997-born forward Alec Baer.

Baer, a native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, had one assist in three pre-season games with the Hurricanes in 2017.

The five-foot-10, 182-pound forward registered 15 goals and 39 points in 69 regular season games during the 2016-17 season, splitting time with the Vancouver Giants and the Hurricanes. Baer also added three goals and 11 points in 20 playoff games with the Hurricanes.

“Alec has played over 250 games in the Western Hockey League and was a good player for the Hurricanes in the playoffs last year,” said Cockell. “We would like to thank Jake Elmer for his contributions to the ICE.”

Baer has played four full seasons in the WHL. He has appeared in 264 regular season games collecting 55 goals and 69 assists for 124 points.

Elmer scored seven goals on his way to a 16-point season in 46 games last year with the ICE.

Baer and recent acquisition Colton Veloso, from the Portland Winterhawks, bring experience and some sandpaper to the line-up, as well as improve its top nine skill-set.

The ICE Sept. 17 released six players following its final pre-season game, a 5-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen.

The team released 1997-born goaltender Mario Petit, 2001-born goaltender Jesse Makaj, 1997-born defenceman Jordan Henderson, 2000-born defenceman Tyler Strath, 2001-born forward Blake Allan and 1999-born forward Evan Thomas.

The club heads into the season with its five top scorers returning, including: Centre Colton Kroeker (18 goals, 41 assists, 59 points in 70 games split between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and ICE); winger Vince Loschiavo (29 goals, 28 assists, 57 points in 68 games, all with the ICE); defenseman Cale Fleury (11, 27 – 38); winger Brett Davis (18-15-33 in 59 games split between Lethbridge and Kootenay); defenseman Dallas Hines (4-19-23).

The following is the list of 25 players on the ICE roster (as of Sept. 19):

GOAL:

Bailey Brkin, Kurtis Chapman

DEFENCE:

Martin Bodak, Cale Fleury, Dallas Hines, Sam Huston, Zachary Patrick, Ryan Pouliot, Bobby Russell, Loeden Schaufler

FORWARDS:

Alec Baer, Brett Davis, Cameron Hausinger, Michael King, Gilian Kohler, Peyton Krebs, Colton Kroeker, Eli Lieffers, Vince Loschiavo, Barrett Sheen, Tanner Sidaway, Sebastian Streu, Kaeden Taphorn, Keenan Taphorn, Colton Veloso.

e-KNOW

Article Share