The second British Columbia Hockey Conference Prospects Game takes place in Kamloops on Tuesday, November 28. This week’s KIJHL Notebook dives into the players who make up the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Prospects team.

The squad features up-and-coming talent from all East Kootenay KIJHL clubs.

In goal, Nick Kunyk of the Fernie Ghostriders gained a confidence boost with his selection. He was already feeling good about his play with eight wins, a 1.42 goals against average and a .945 save percentage.

“I have a really good team in front of me which helps with those stats,” said Kunyk. “I’m very quick and agile.”

Kunyk has only faced more than 30 shots a game twice this season and has allowed 12 goals on 217 shots.

On defence, Creston Valley Thunder Cats’ Max Chakrabarti is one of three players selected to the team for a second time.

“That was fun and an awesome experience. I’m very excited to go again,” said Chakrabarti, who ranks third among KIJHL blueliners with 14 points in 16 games. “I remember it being a very fast paced, physical and intense game.”

The brother of KIJHL MVP Luke Chakrabarti is very happy with his play and is close to his goal of being a point-a-game player.

“I’ve liked that I’m joining rushes, playing solid defensively, and trying to keep the plus-minus positive.”

Per Hudl Instat, Chakrabarti averages 23:05 of ice time per game and is plus-five.

Connor Grainger of the Kimberley Dynamiters is excited and happy for the opportunity to play in the game and said he’s had a good season.

While he hasn’t earned his first KIJHL point yet, he’s played strong defensively as a stay-at-home blueliner who carries the puck up when needed.

He averages 16:55 of playing time a game and has won 61 per cent of his puck battles per Hudl Instat.

Up front, Tysin Mulligan of the Columbia Valley Rockies is seventh among rookies with 21 points in 19 games and leads the Rockies in scoring. His 13 goals are tied for second. Mulligan said being part of the team is a “really good opportunity to showcase myself” with a group of top talent.

Part of a deep Rockies forward group, Mulligan has played a big part in them being one of the best teams in the league.

“It’s a really good start and I attribute it to the team I’m on. We have all had a really good start. I came into the season with a shoot-first mentality and it’s been paying off on the scoreboard,” he said. “I like to work hard, try to get into the areas a lot of guys won’t to recover the puck and lead to opportunities, whether defensively or offensively.”

Click here to read about all the players selected to the KIJHL Prospects team.

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