The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) has announced that Tristan Weill of the Kimberley Dynamiters is the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner for the 2023/2024 season.

Weill, 19, led the Dynamiters with 71 points in 36 games, ranking him second in the KIJHL, though his 1.97 points-per-game led the league. He scored 38 goals, 10 are game-winners, and 25 power-play points, while playing 16:42 a game.

The West Kelowna product was also a plus-26 and won 58% of faceoffs. Weill was named the Hudl Instat KIJHL Top Forward three times.

“Statistically he had a fantastic year,” said Dynamiters head coach-general manager Derek Stuart. “He was a dangerous threat and I know a lot of opponents strictly based their game plan against us to stop him.”

The success the 5-10, 175-pound forward enjoyed is a result of the off-season work he put in, coming into camp in shape. As Stuart puts it, “he works hard for a point producer.”

Weill became “elite” in taking faceoffs by working at it and got better with puck battles.

“He’s a strong kid, who isn’t afraid to battle and get the puck,” said Stuart, who also saw Weill mature a lot. “His speed causes so much trouble for opponents. You put that kind of work ethic, and strength, and skill with that speed, it’s pretty hard to stop.”

Hockey fans can see Weill in action again this season April 18 to 21 when the Dynamiters host the 2024 Mowatt Cup at the Kimberley Civic Centre.

The historic Mowatt Cup will be hoisted by B.C.’s Junior A Tier II provincial champion in Kimberley, during a four-team tournament in April.

There is a chance two East Kootenay (KIJHL) teams will compete in the four-team tourney as the Fernie Ghostriders are currently battling in the Teck Cup finals with Revelstoke Grizzlies. The winner advances to the Mowatt Cup.

Ousted from the KIJHL playoffs in the first round by the Columbia Valley Rockies, the Dynamiters qualify for the upcoming tourney as hosts.

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