By Kevin Parnell /
Merritt Centennials
Another tumultuous year for Merritt last season saw longtime coach Al Glendinning out after the season. When hired-coach Joey Bouchard left the Cents just weeks before training camp, brothers Dylan and Tyler Forsythe brought Alberta and Manitoba Junior A expereince to try and right the ship as the team’s head coach and general manager respectively. On the ice, the Cents should be better with plenty of players returning from its team last year and from plenty of future consideration deals down the stretch last year.
Penticton VeesThe Vees expect a healthy Denver Manderson to lead the way offensively while the explosive Garrett Milan has a year under his belt after putting up nearly a point per game in playing all 60 last year as a rookie. Twenty-year-old Eric Filiou was acquired in an off-season trade with Nanaimo where he was a point a game player in two seasons.
In goal, Sean Bonnor won 11 games as a rookie backup, posting a .908 save percentage.
Prince George Spruce Kings
A three-way deal in early August gave Prince George a top-flight offensive player in Brooks Robinson and a partner for returning Sam Muchalla. Robinson went to Alberta before being acquired by the Kings. Muchalla had a career year ended by injury and scored 53 points in 43 games. Coach Ed Dempsey and general manager Mike Hawes signed two-year contract extensions in the summer.
Quesnel MillionairesMost of the news surrounding the Quesnel Millionaires was off ice this summer. Glen Watson was hired as the new head coach after Tom Bohmer departed near the end of last season. A new ownership group purchased the club and is working on a new arena deal. On the ice, Trevor Hertz is the top returning offensive player while Taylor Holst was acquired in a late summer deal. Twenty-year-old Eliot Raibl will be counted on to anchor the defence.
Salmon Arm SilverbacksThe off-season saw the Silverbacks shuffle the coaching deck as Rylan Ferster handed over the coach’s role to assistant Matt Hughes to concentrate full time as the ’Backs general manager.
Hughes steps to the bench after 40 wins last season in Salmon Arm and will be looking to remain a contender in the Interior. Mark Zengerle posted a second-best 93 points in his rookie BCHL season and is back as a 20-year-old to lead the offence.
In goal, Tony Ierfino was very good last year when he posted a .915 save percentage in going 18-6 largely as a backup and will start the year as the man to beat.
Trail Smoke EatersA rookie-laden team last year, the Smoke Eaters will be better for just the experience gained in an up and down season. Forty-point-man Paul Mailey was named captain in the off-season while newcomer Colin Lidster will bring size to the equation. Devon Murtagh, acquired from Westside, and Paul Barclay will battle for minutes in goal.
Vernon VipersThe Vipers went all the way to win the RBC Royal Bank Cup last year and return a deep talent pool that features Connor and Kellen Jones in what will be the hard-working twins’ final BCHL season. The Vipers did lose netminder Andrew Hammond and top defenceman Kyle Bigos along with captain Chris Crowell but had 15 players eligible to return, according to bchl.bc.ca
“When you come back from a season like we had, all that stuff goes out the window,” head coach Mark Ferner told the Vernon Morning Star. “You can’t rest on your laurels – it’s a new year.”
The Vipers are the returning champs of what should be another competitive year as nine Interior teams fight for seven playoff spots.
Westside WarriorsThe Mark Howell era in Westside ended after three years with the former head coach moving on to the University of Calgary and with Merrimack assistant Darren Yopyk taking over. The Warriors will return 13 players including 20-year-old goalie Kevin Jebson and his 27 wins and .909 save percentage. Trevor Bailey is the highest returning scorer and the return of Cam Reid, drafted by Nashville in the NHL Draft in the summer, will bolster the club’s offense.
Williams Lake Timberwolves
Not much is known of the newest team in the BCHL Interior Conference.
After a one-year hiatus to find new owners, the Timberwolves return to the league’s northern loop under the helm of coach Dave Dupas who was hired from the B.C. Major Midget League. The T-Wolves are looking for community support and a respectable record back in the league after missing a season.
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