We’re on part two of the biggest win/individual performance or moment to end 2024 in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League KIJHL Notebook, this week for Kootenay Conference teams.

Eddie Mountain Division

Kimberley Dynamiters

The Christmas Classic against the Fernie Ghostriders was a highlight for the Kimberley Dynamiters, said head coach-general manager Derek Stuart.

“Just the environment and intensity surrounded by that, as well as getting two convincing wins,” he said. “Also, probably the goalie goal by Josh Hager in November was a pretty cool moment for our players and fans to see.”

Columbia Valley Rockies

Balanced offensive production is what’s making Columbia Valley Rockies head coach-general manager Tayler Sincennes the happiest.

“We are close to the league lead in goals for as a team and we only have one guy in the top-20 in scoring – Carter Velker (33 points in 31 games),” said Sincennes. “We have two guys that are at a point-a-game and then our numbers don’t drop off significantly.”

They have six players averaging .80 points-per-game or higher and Sincennes said from their first line to the fourth and the blueline, the stats are respectable.

“Everybody chips in,” he said. “Any night that we’ve had big wins it’s nice to see that our production isn’t just coming from one or two guys, it’s coming from the entire group.”

Fernie Ghostriders

Fernie Ghostriders head coach-general manager Chad Scharff said that captain Taylor Haggerty and defenceman Eric Martin had good starts. Haggerty leads the Ghostriders with 41 points in 28 games, while Martin leads the blueline with 35 points in 28 games.

Those are also league leading numbers. Both are performing as expected. Martin plays an average of 26:14 a game and is a plus 16. Haggerty averages 20:05 of ice time a game and is a plus seven.

Scharff also noted that in November and December they had a stretch of 12 games in which they didn’t lose in regulation time.

“That’s a big win for our team,” he said. “Then we had a little hiccup here right now, but we’re looking forward to getting past Jan. 10th then going forward with the group we have.”

Creston Valley Thunder Cats

Victories over the Revelstoke Grizzlies on the road and Grand Forks Border Bruins were big moments for the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. They had their best team performance against the Border Bruins.

“I think both of those games we had really good team structure and I would say especially against Grand Forks, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” said Thunder Cats head coach-general manager Geordie Wudrick. “That building being a bit of a smaller ice surface, we know how hard they play, but I thought overall, that was probably our best team wins so far.”

Wudrick said it proved to them they can compete with and even beat some of the best teams in the league.

Golden Rockets

Golden Rockets head coach-general manager Jed Houseman has seen his team compete with and knock off some of the best teams in the league, such as the Dynamiters and Fernie Ghostriders.

“We beat Beaver Valley in overtime, which was a great moment for us,” said Houseman. “We’re playing with the top-end of the league and definitely competing is big for us.”

Houseman added having a rookie such as Kanye Huang “doing some damage” and getting the production has been good. Brayden Bissell leads the team with 23 points and Houseman said he’s very skilled.

“We have other rookies that are showing great leadership qualities,” he said.

Click here to read about the Neil Murdoch Division.

KIJHL photo

KIJHL

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