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Veteran laden Nitros expecting big things
The Kimberley Dynamiters are going after the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Teck Cup. It’s been two years since they won it.
“We are expecting big things. Our motto is every two years we make a serious, legit run at the Teck Cup,” said Dynamiters head coach-general manager Derek Stuart in their KIJHL Quick Shift team preview.
Stuart is going on that quest with a lineup featuring 19 veterans. He is fired up from how last season ended and their camp showed that the returning players have “unfinished business” to take care of. Stuart has been very impressed by what he has seen from the players.
KIJHL: What should fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
DS: We’re going to be an older, experienced team with speed, skill, and physicality. There will be fewer growing pains and we will be pretty strong to start the season. There is the expectation of getting better as the season goes along.
KIJHL: What areas are you looking to improve from last season?
DS: Our leadership overall. As a coaching staff, we expect the veterans from the 2023 team to carry things over. As coaches, we need to keep our fingers on top of that. It’s about making sure they understand the right way to play and conduct themselves.
KIJHL: You added Nolan Kelly in a trade, what do you like about him that he will bring?
DS: We have been after Nolan for some time now. He is very hard to play against and is a proven top-end point producer in our league. He makes us a better team. (Note: Kelly had 34 points in 36 games with North Okanagan last season).
KIJHL: Are there any returning players that you are expecting to have big seasons? Talk about what you are hoping to see from them.
DS: I think the obvious one is Tristan Weill (KIJHL MVP). He has already done it and has proven his worth within the league.
I’m looking for big seasons from Trey Stephenson, Jackson Murphy, Nicholas Hughes and Callan Valstar. We have all four of our top defencemen back as well as a bunch of forwards, including Riley Langille. We are going to expect a lot from them.
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who are able to make a seamless transition to have an immediate impact?
DS: Danik Reeves (2006 – Kootenay Hockey Academy U18– JPHL) From what we have seen so far, Reeves is someone who we think can contribute offensively. He is a small guy (5-6, 160 pounds), but he’s very strong, fast and extremely skilled. He is very good with the puck and creating opportunities for himself and his linemates.
Spencer Wilkinson (Bozeman Ice Dogs – NA3HL) He is a big, strong player who can skate and shoot.
The other ones I think are going to be equally as important and all have a role.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
DS: We just want our leadership group, whoever that ends up being, to show the younger guys and the new guys how things are done. We kind of got away from it a bit last year, the everyday things. How they act, lead on the ice and in the community when they are doing community work.
KIJHL
