BCHL Interior Conference Report:

This is posted on the BC Hockey Now website:

BCHL Interior Conference report

By Ryan Pinder /

With the Jan. 10 trade deadline approaching quickly, it appears it will be a tough season for teams to swing deals.
With the BCHL playoff format now including 14 of 17 teams (rather than 12 of 16 last year), there appears to be a lack of ‘sellers’ in the marketplace. Quesnel, Prince George, Merritt and Trail appear to be battling for three playoff tickets in the Interior while Burnaby and Cowichan are neck-in-neck for the final spot on the coast.
Compounding matters is the fact that the one team that is in sell mode, doesn’t have much to offer, as Williams Lake has 19 rookies on their roster. Teams looking to add before Jan. 10 face a tough task, and many Interior clubs find themselves in that position.

VERNON VIPERS

Having already swung their big deal for D Curtis Gedig (‘91) in November the Vipers look set for the post-season. Despite winning an RBC Cup last Spring, Vernon has the fewest rookies in the Interior Conference with just six. F Kellen Jones (‘90) is out with a broken jaw, but should be back by mid-January. With one open roster spot, many are speculating that F David Robinson (‘90) (who has left the Chilliwack Bruins) may return to the Vipers as a final move.

PENTICTON VEES

With 21 of 23 roster spots full for the Vees, and a cast of just 12 forwards, many are waiting for a move from head coach and GM Fred Harbinson. The Vees have room for a 20-year-old, but are stacked on imports. The Vees might be the safest bet for a club that will make a move before Jan. 10. A big physical forward would fit the bill in the Peach City where there are designs on a big post-season.

WESTSIDE WARRIORS

There are just four 20-year-olds on the Warriors roster, which features half-a-dozen players under 18. Another veteran forward would make this club a pain in the sides of the Vees and Vipers who are flying atop the Interior. Unfortunately, Westside is at the league maximum of 23 players. Youth for experience could be a move that is made by Darren Yopyk and new GM/Prez/Gov Mark Cheyne, if they are serious about winning this season.

SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS

Here’s another team looking to add players. Even after giving ‘AP’ forward Brandon Mistal (‘92) a full time card, the ‘Backs are still sitting with two open roster spots following the D Jagger Dirk (‘93) defection. With just six D-men, one would have to think another defender would be a priority. The Silverbacks have wiggle room for one more import and one more 20-year-old. With ten rookies on the roster, a vet would bring stability to the purple people.

QUESNEL MILLIONAIRES

New Head Coach and GM Glen Watson got his holiday shopping done early, adding a trio of forwards in November. The reward for such a responsible deed was a jumping over Prince George and into fifth in the Interior (behind the big four). Luke Siemens (‘92) has out-dueled Kirby Halcrow (‘91) in net and now appears to be the ‘go-to’ goaltender in Quesnel. The Mills have eleven first-year players, a full roster, and the league maximum of six 20-year-olds.

PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS

Maxed on 20-year-olds and roster spots, the Spruce Kings would love to upgrade their roster, but will find it tough to do. The back end has been bolstered with the additions of Brendan Nadolny (‘90) and Brad Bourke (‘89), and depth up front would be nice, but goaltending has been the Achilles’ heel of the club. Fifteen of 23 remaining games are on the road, if they can’t start stopping pucks, it will be a tough start to 2010.

MERRITT CENTENNIALS

With a win in Trail on Dec. 12, the Centennials chalked up their first road win of the season. 2009 has seen Merritt run through four coaching staffs, yet the Cents are surprisingly competitive heading into 2010. Merritt has room for two more players no matter the age, and are carrying eight defenders. Expect the unexpected in Merritt, but something to cut down on the nearly six goals against per game would be a godsend.

TRAIL SMOKE EATERS

One night, the Smokies are holding top teams to tight games, the next they lose to cellar dwellers. It’s tough to figure out this Kootenay club. Four rookie defenders don’t help, but the Smokies need a goalie that can stop nine of ten shots. Trail has an open roster spot, just two 20-year-olds, and room for imports. Another veteran defender would help, but a legitimate number one goalie hasn’t yet arrived in Trail. Missing the playoffs would be a disaster.

WILLIAMS LAKE TIMBERWOLVES

The one team in a position to sell prior to the deadline in the Interior Conference is thin on assets. Carrying three goalies (two of which are 20), and just two skaters who aren’t rookies, it’s tough to work deals with much off this roster if you are looking to improve a playoff-bound team. Good news? Supply is low and demand is high, and the T-wolves may still be able to take advantage of the current market.