After a short main camp, a couple of exhibition tilts and a couple of weeks of practice, the Kings are nearing the start of the 2015/2016 campaign and a chance to do what no Kings team has been able to do before…win a BCHL Championship. This year’s team is deep up front, and experienced on the back end. 10 returning players plus 4 AP’s from last season, add in a goaltender from the 2013/2014 year and some Junior A experience in other parts of Canada and it’s a well rounded group that promises to showcase a mix of work ethic, grit and skill.
Here’s a short breakdown of each player that’s currently with the playing group:
Goaltenders
#1 – Jeff Smith (1995, Maple Ridge BC)
Last Year: UMass-Lowell (3-3, 3.02 GAA, .885 sv% and 1 SO)
The 2014 BCHL Goaltender of the Year returns from college after one season, to an environment and a league where he has a proven track record of success. Smith entered the 2013/2014 season as the backup to Jonah Imoo, but quickly proved his ability to be effective at this level. Last year, Smith had a strong start including a shutout early in the year.
#35 – Stefan Wornig (1997, Surrey BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (3-9-0, 4.02 GAA, .888 sv%)
An injury plagued rookie campaign where he missed 14 games with injury really hindered Wornig from getting on a roll and securing time in the Kings crease. When he was in the net, he used his large frame to cover a lot of the net and make life difficult for opposition shooters.
Defencemen
#6 – Colton Sandberg (1997, Delta BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (44 GP, 0-5-5)
Scored the biggest goal of the playoffs to eliminate the Victoria Grizzlies in game 6 which rounded out a year of development for the big defenceman. Spent much of the year on a 5-6 pairing, but earned more responsibility as the season went on. Has showed a bit more offensive punch in the off-season and training camp.
#15 – Rylan Ball (1995, Powell River BC)
Last Year: Westshore Wolves (18 GP, 9-15-24)
Found a home with the Westshore Wolves in the VIJHL towards the end of last season, scoring 1.3 points per game. Was a regular call up for the Kings and made the permanent move back home after Westshore had their season ended. Was effective down the stretch with the Kings and routinely one of the best defencemen on the ice in the playoffs.
#22 – Jack Long (1999, Powell River BC)
Last Year: North Island Silvertips (40 GP, 2-9-11)
Played every game with the Nanaimo-based Major Midget team last season, scoring twice and adding 9 assists. Got a taste of Junior hockey by playing 5 games for the Nanaimo Buccaneers. Was also part of the Kings Main Camp for the 2014/2015 campaign before heading to the BCMML.
#24 – Nick Nonis (1995, Hampton Falls NH)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (56 GP, 1-6-7)
Nonis spent part of the off-season with the Anaheim Ducks at their Prospect Development Camp honing his skills. He comes back for a 2nd season of Junior Hockey before moving to his home-state University of New Hampshire for college hockey. Nonis has looked leaner, quicker and more confident in his decision making so far.
#25 – Jeremy LeClerc (1995, Saskatoon SK)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (58 GP, 7-20-27)
His game flourished with more responsibility last season, routinely being matched up with opposition top lines and being asked to shut them down. The third year veteran brings 113 games of regular season experience plus his brand of physical, bruising hockey. Chimed in for 7 goals last season, over doubling his rookie total.
#27 – Andy Stevens (1998, Campbell River BC)
Last Year: Campbell River Storm (40 GP, 2-15-17)
Was a big part of a Campbell River team that won the Junior B triple crown last year with the VIJHL Championship, the Cyclone Taylor and Keystone Cups. The young d-man looked at home in 8 AP appearances during the regular season and some spot duty in between Storm games during the playoffs.
Forwards
#7 – Liam Lawson (1996, Vancouver BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (50 GP, 5-8-14)
A rookie campaign where Lawson floated up and down the lineup as injuries and form dictated it. Played an increasing role as the season wore on seeing some special teams time as well. Has looked bigger and faster in his 19 year old season thus far. Wore #16 last season.
#8 – Gavin Rauser (1997, Campbell River BC)
Last Year: Campbell River Storm (40 GP, 18-28-46)
Played 7 games as an affiliate (0-1-1) with the Kings last season, earned fans with his physical and relentless style of play. Helped Campbell River win the Junior B triple crown last season and contributing positively to the Kings down the stretch.
#9 – Carter Turnbull (1998, Nanaimo BC)
Last Year: Nanaimo Buccaneers (44 GP, 31-40-71)
Attended Kings camp and played in exhibitions last year, but ultimately affiliated with the Cowichan Valley Capitals, playing in 4 games scoring once. Was 2nd in team scoring with the Buccaneers last season. A small but physical forward who uses his speed to burn defencemen down low.
#10 – Curtis McCarrick (1996, Port Hardy BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (53GP, 9-12-21)
A third year King with over 100 regular season games of experience. Found a home on the team’s 3rd line last season with combinations of Austin Kamer, Mitchell Hawes and Adam Tracey (among others), and played in some special teams situations throughout the year at times as well.
#11 – Hunter Findlater (1997, Powell River BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (49 GP, 3-4-7)
Scored all 3 of his goals away from his home town Hap Parker Arena, including a big 3rd period tally in Port Alberni. Biggest asset is his speed, something which he must use more of to be a key part of the team.
#12 – Austin Kamer (1996, Allendale MI)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (40 GP, 3-8-11)
Missed 18 games with an upper body injury last season and returned to the lineup at the start of February. Routinely was the first player used after a powerplay and was included in regularly penalty kill pairings. His shot has been drastically improved through camp and looks threatening around the net.
#13 – Jonny Evans (1997, Delta BC)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (39 GP, 7-10-17)
Saw regular time on a 2nd powerplay unit and became an effective mover of the puck. Tough to knock off the puck despite his smaller stature. Spent the off-season playing ball hockey for Team BC at the Canadian Nationals and will represent Team Canada next June at the Worlds in England.
#16 – Chris Protopoulos (1996, Verdun QC)
Last Year: Dawson College Blues (35GP, 26-15-41)
Coming off two years of hockey with the Blues in his home province where he was a regular offensive threat. A small forward with speed and skill. Moves the puck well.
#17 – Kyle Betts (1997, Flesherton ON)
Last Year: Waterloo Siskins (49 GP, 17-28-45)
Another graduate of the Greater Ontario Junior B Hockey League, the same pipeline that players like Luke Nogard, Cohen Adair, Jon Jutzi and several others have come to the Kings from. 5th in team scoring last season and has already earned a commitment to Cornell University for either 2016 or 2017.
#18 – Jeremey Leipsic (1997, Winnipeg MB)
Last Year: Winnipeg Wild Midget AAA (44GP, 20-64-84)
Led the Manitoba Midget AAA league in scoring, and was 34 points clear for top spot in Wild scoring. Only stands 5’8 but is quick and obviously offensively skilled. Kurt Keats has been used as a somewhat comparable player.
#20 – Mitchell Hawes (1996, Cedar Springs MI)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (31 GP, 3-10-13)
Joined the Kings in early December from the Comox Valley Glacier Kings of the VIJHL. Scored his first goal in his 3rd game (in Trail) and found a home on the Kings 3rd line where we was a regular penalty killer.
#21 – Tristan Mullin (1996, Cartwright MB)
Last Year: Swan Valley Stampeders (58 GP, 24-28-52)
A 3rd year Junior A player with a season in Dauphin to start. Had a breakout season leading the Stampeders in scoring and listing 20th across the entire MJHL. Attended the 2014 RBC in Vernon with the Kings but did not play as a 17 year old.
#23 – Nick Halagian (1995, St. Catherine’s ON)
Last Year: Powell River Kings (22 GP 6-10-16)
Joined the Kings during the Christmas break and immediately made an impact with his high energy play. Aggressive on the forecheck and an in-your-face player, he frustrated opponents last season while chipping in well offensively.
That’s the playing group as it stands now. If you do the math, it comes to 21 players and the coaches have made it known through camp and beyond that no spot is safe. The team is allowed to have 22 carded at any one time, but it often takes a few weeks into the season to find that final 22, with AP’s and other players sticking with the playing group until the right mix is found.
For me, this team is very deep and experienced. Of the goaltenders and 6 defencemen, only one (Jack Long) hasn’t put on a Kings jersey in regular season action. Up front, there is a good mix of veterans looking to take the next step up the ladder, and rookies with a proven track record of success and winning.
It’s bound to be an impressive year, and it all starts Saturday.
