BCHL Interior Conference Report:

This was in last weeks BC Hockey Newspaper:

BCHL Interior Conference Report

Thursday, November 5, 2010

By Ryan Pinder

The Interior Conference will be represented well at the five-nation, six-team World Junior A Challenge set in Penticton from Nov. 8 to 14. While the BCHL led the way from the five western CJHL Leagues with eight players selected, seven happen to be players from the Interior Conference.

It probably didn’t hurt that General Manager Rylan Ferster has spent the bulk of his last four seasons watching the Interior, but the list of selected players also serves as ammunition for those trying to build the case that the Interior is the superior BCHL Conference.

Penticton Vees

Each year, the Vees seem to have two or three players named to the World Junior A Challenge, but with the event hosted at the SOEC this year, it’s a touch more significant. Three players will suit up for Team Canada West bumping the Vees to 12 all-time paticipants in the five years the tournament has run. Returning to the international event for the second season are F - Brendan O’Donnell (‘92) and D -Joey LaLeggia (‘92), while F -Mark MacMillan (‘92) will dawn the Hockey Canada jersey for the first time.

Trail Smoke Eaters

Travis St. Denis (‘92) and Sam Mellor (‘92) have been selected to World Junior A Challenge as members of Team Canada West, which will test the depth of the Smokies forwards. The Smokies top line accounted for 68 per cent of the goals scored in the first third of the season, and with two thirds of that top line gone for six games, Trail needs more triggermen to emerge. Would a return of Kyle St. Denis (‘90) to the Kootenays bolster the Smokies line-up? The Vernon Vipers have been shopping his rights.

Vernon Vipers

Leading scorer F - Dylan Walchuk (‘92) will be the lone representative of the Vernon Vipers on Team Canada West. The 18-year-old has had a strong sophomore season in a much larger role with the Vipers. The Vernon is proving to be the toughest team in the Interior Conference to score goals on… Again. The Snakes allow just 2.4 goals against per game. Credit the Vipers three big wins over the Penticton Vees this season as the reason they’re in a battle for top spot in the Conference standings.

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

The Silverbacks have traded disgruntled defender Josh Monk (‘92) to Surrey for F - Michael Krgovich (‘90) - which will add another sniper to Tim Kehler’s arsenel. G - Kris Moore (‘91) is still out with a broken hand after the line brawl against Merritt. With Moore out, Tim Kehler sent F - Taylor Fauchoux (‘92) to Alberta for G - Chase Martin (‘92). While Martin’s numbers haven’t been spectacular, he has earned the lion’s share of the starts ahead of G -Kurt Williams (‘91). What happens in the crowded crease when Moore returns from injury is anybody’s guess.

Westside Warriors

Forward Grayson Downing (‘92) is one of seven returnees on Team Canada West. The 18-year-old is leading the Warriors offensively and is on pace for a 45 goal season. How will the Warriors adjust without their leading scorer for the four games he will miss? With numerous quality defenders, the Warriors would be wise to parlay some depth on the blue-line into another offensive forward. F - Kyle Singleton (‘90) is the third member of the Warriors committed to Merrimack, where bench boss Darren Yopyk was previously employed.

Merritt Centennials

Luke Pierce’s squad has turned the corner since moving last year’s leading scorer F - Dustin Johnson (‘90) going (3-2-0-2) since the deal.
Newly acquired netminder Lino Chimienti (‘91) has been a welcome addition to the team, and has posted strong numbers in his first half dozen games.
Rookie F - Regan Soquilla (‘93) - whose older brother was the captain of the Cents last season – is the surprise team leader in goals. The Centennials have played the fewest home games in the Conference.

Prince George Spruce Kings

The Spruce Kings have emerged from a busy 14 games in October with a brighter outlook.
After losing eight games in a row, Prince George closed out the month with three consecutive wins thanks in large part to the play of one of their new acquisitions – Zac Ashdown. The 19-year-old forward has recorded seven points in his first half dozen games with the Spruce Kings since arriving from Coquitlam. P.G. has also cut down their goals against in recent action thanks to the return of G – Alex Wright (‘90).

Quesnel Millionaires

19-year-old goaltender Kirby Halcrow wasn’t selected to Team Canada West, and for the Millionaires, that’s probably for the better. Quesnel’s listless offense is averaging just two goals a game, meaning Halcrow has to be great for the team to have a chance to win on most nights.
The Mills powerplay is nothing short of dreadful – operating at a mind boggling seven percent. Spencer Grabowski (‘93) is putting together a great 17-year-old season, but the Mills need more talent upfront if they want to clinch a playoff spot in the Interior Conference.