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KIJHL Notebook: BCHC player spotlights
The British Columbia Hockey Conference earlier this week announced the rosters for the KIJHL and PJHL teams that will compete in the first annual BCHC Prospects Game on Tuesday, November 22 at the Sardis Sports Complex in Chilliwack.
The team, featuring players born mainly in 2005 and 2006 with a maximum of six from 2004, will be coached by Dave Hnatiuk of the Grand Forks Border Bruins. He is joined by assistant coaches Mark Readman of the Princeton Posse and Ty Valin of the Fernie Ghostriders.
It was announced last month that the 2022 BCHC Prospects Game will see the top young players from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) and PJHL face off in front of Junior A coaches and scouts.
This week’s KIJHL Notebook highlights each of the players who have been selected for the KIJHL team. In speaking with them, they expressed excitement to be on the team, play in the game, and are honoured to be chosen. They are also looking forward to showcasing their skills to earn a shot to play Junior A hockey in the future.
Eddie Mountain Division
Keenan Ingram, 18, of the Columbia Valley Rockies is second among all KIJHL rookies in points with 19 in 12 games and is tied for the league lead in goals with 11. The Calgary, Alberta product has only been held off the scoresheet once this season and has three, two-goal games. He’s currently on a five-game points streak with seven points and has scored a goal in four straight games.
Ingram says he has been playing a good role for the team and producing and doing what he can to help. He credits his production to practice and strong chemistry with his linemates Anthony Domina and Lucas De La Salle.
“My backchecking has gotten stronger and my defensive game for sure has gotten better,” he said. “I like to think I’m a playmaker and a goal-scorer.”
Evan Tsadilas, 17, has four goals and seven points for his hometown Golden Rockets, which has him eighth on the team in that category. The six-foot, 186-pound forward has a game-winner, which he scored on Oct. 15. Tsadilas has three goals and five points in five games. Tsadilas said it’s pretty exciting to be chosen to the KIJHL Prospects team and he’s “pretty pumped to go” and sees it as a good opportunity. Tsadilas has enjoyed playing at home, as it was a dream when he was a kid. This season he has been focused on consistency.
“I have been working on always playing good and not having a bad shift. Just being someone who can go out there and give something bad up,” he said. “I can make plays and set plays up.”
Tsadilas didn’t feel he played well at the start of the season, but has picked it up the last couple of games. He views himself as an offensive player, but also cares about playing strong defensively. He’s improved with his consistency and overall play.
Taylor Haggerty, 18, is third on the Fernie Ghostriders with 13 points in 16 games. The Sherwood Park, Alberta product has three points on the power-play, two of them goals. Haggerty said he has played well so far.
“I’m using my offensive abilities well and working really hard, but I still have more in the tank,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve played my best hockey yet, which is exciting for me because I have been playing so well. I hope to keep that momentum moving forward.”
Haggerty likes to make plays and slow the game down in certain situations, looking for the right plays to set teammates up.
“I also like to play with speed, play with a little bit of grit and muck and grind, get in on the forecheck,” he said. “I’m a jack-of-all trades, I’ve got that offensive ability, but I can be tough to play against, which helps me even more.”
Max Chakrabarti, 17, leads the Creston Valley Thunder Cats defence in points with seven in 15 games and has two goals. He recently scored an overtime winner against the Revelstoke Grizzlies for his second goal of the season. Chakrabarti, whose brother Luke is also on the Thunder Cats, is happy with his own play adding its one of the stronger starts to seasons he has had.
“I’m an offensive defenceman, I rush the puck and make good breakout passes in my zone,” he said.
To start the season he was nervous as he adjusted to the league play and facing older opposition. After the first few games he began to settle in. He has improved his speed, and with help from Head Coach Brad Tobin, there has been a focus on quick feet and joining the rush. He has also adapted to the physical play of the league.
Click here to read about the rest of the league.
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