The KIJHL Notebook: Okanagan Conference

  Seventy.  That’s how many rookies earned their first Junior A points in the opening weekend of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season. Connor Hovelkamp (2006) of the Nelson Leafs leads the group with five points and is tied with Williams Lake Mustang Asher Lucas (2008) with three goals. Of the 70 rookies that […]

Young Guns: Asher Lucas

  Asher Lucas of the Williams Lake Mustangs is the first Young Guns selection of the 2024-25 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season. The Williams Lake product collected three goals, including a winner, in two games. Mustangs head coach-general manager Tyrel Lucas said the work done by the 16-year-old over the summer is helping. “I […]

Quick Shift: Williams Lake Mustangs

  It’s been 14 years since Williams Lake hockey fans have been able to cheer for a Junior A team. The wait is nearly over. The Mustangs will make their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League debut on Friday when they take on the Quesnel River Rush in exhibition action. Their first regular season game will […]

KIJHL excited to participate in WCDM

Hockey Canada has announced that its board of directors has approved a Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project for the 2024-25 season, following an extensive proposal submitted in collaboration from its four Western Members, their respective Junior A hockey leagues and the Western Hockey League (WHL). The WCDM pilot project focuses on strengthening the […]

KIJHL approves move to Williams Lake

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League announced today that the Summerland Steam franchise has been sold and relocated to Williams Lake, where they will now be known as the Mustangs. The sale and move was approved unanimously by the KIJHL’s Board of Governors and will take effect immediately. With the addition of the Mustangs, the […]

The KIJHL Notebook: Team goal leaders

  Who doesn’t like goals? This week’s KIJHL Notebook highlights each team’s top snipers. Before getting into that, on Tuesday night, the Creston Valley Thunder Cats gave the goal judge plenty of work in a 14-3 victory over the Spokane Braves. Austin McLean was credited with the eventual winning goal as he scored to give […]

Top Shelf – The KIJHL podcast for Feb. 9

Welcome to Top Shelf – The KIJHL podcast. This Week on Top Shelf, Emanuel Sequeira talks with the Hudl Instat Defenceman of the Week Ayden Baldo of the Nelson Leafs and Summerland Steam goaltender, Jasper Tait. Leading off the episode, Emanuel talks with Kimberley Dynamiter Carson Cleland about being a captain on a team with […]

The KIJHL Notebook – Goalie tandems

  Spokane Braves goalie Andrew Tworkowski has played the most minutes of any KIJHL goalie at 1,766 and has faced the most rubber – 1,482 shots. The next closest to Tworkowski is Osoyoos Coyote Hunter Arntsen who has faced 1,699 shots. What’s even more impressive about Tworkowski’s play is his save percentage – .911, while […]

The KIJHL Notebook: Team play

This week’s KIJHL Notebook focuses on the recent performance of teams, coaches talking about standout players and the impact that some trade deadline pick ups have had on their respective teams.   Eddie Mountain Division The Fernie Ghostriders have won seven of their last 10 games since the Christmas break and have been led offensively […]

The KIJHL Notebook: January leaders

  It’s the final stretch drive as the KIJHL 2023-24 regular season wraps up in a month. This week’s KIJHL Notebook focuses on the top point producers and goalies for each team in January.  Eddie Mountain Division Not only has Taylor Haggerty led the Fernie Ghostriders with five goals and five assists in six games, […]