Two full teams of Powell River Kings took to the ice last week with the prime objective to whittle the number down to 20 players and two goalies in time for the home opener at 7 pm on Saturday, September 12, against Nanaimo Clippers at Hap Parker Arena.
This year’s focus, as always, is on giving the fans a winner but it is also a young group with a bright future.
Kings had five 20-year-olds at camp, including returnees Jeremy Leclerc, Rylan Ball, Nick Nonis, Nick Halagian and goalie Jeff Smith, nine 19-year-olds and 25 between ages 16 to 18.
Age is just one of many considerations for coaches but the longer they can keep a good character team together, the better.
“We ended up getting the kids we wanted to get,” said head coach and general manager Kent Lewis, “and we’ve got a good group. Character is always first and foremost here and it has given us the consistency over the years. This year we’ll have a lot of new faces again and we’ll have the time over the next few weeks to figure out the final pieces.”
Some of the key pieces are already in place with the return of a couple of popular defencemen.
One of them, Ball, is a local hockey product who is finally enjoying camp as a veteran and anxious to get the season underway. “Ever since the ice went in I’ve been antsy just to get the season started and get in the routine of practicing, playing and having a good time,” he said.
“It’s obviously nice playing at home, too,” said Ball, referring to his stints in Alberni Valley and Cowichan. “Up till now, in Junior, I haven’t really known where I’ll be playing.” He said it also helps being one of the older guys, “and I’ve played 30-plus games in the league which is good for my confidence.”
As one of the older players, he said, “I will need to be a leader as we’ve got a fairly young team this year. I need to be a guy they can look up to and set an example for the younger players.”
Fellow blue-liner Nonis had a commitment to New Hampshire this year but put it off for another season with the Kings.
He had a busy summer that included a prospects camp with the Anaheim Ducks. “It was a lot of fun but it was tough and there were a lot of really skilled guys there.”
Nonis came to camp about 20 pounds heavier. “I needed to get bigger and stronger and hopefully, with that, I’m faster and better on the ice.”
This year he, too, intends to help out with the younger players, but also said, “I want to build on what I learned last year and keep growing and getting better in all aspects of my game.”
Of the camp, he liked the recruits overall and said, “the team’s going to look a little different. I don’t think we’re going to have that bona fide first line that puts up all those points,” he said. Instead he predicts, “more of a hard-work ethic throughout the whole lineup.”
The defensive corp, anchored by three-year veteran Leclerc, looks pretty solid but there are a couple of openings up for grabs.
One of those trying to fill a spot was Alex Bouchard who flew out with his father Paul.
“It’s absolutely stunning here,” said Paul of Powell River.
The family’s connection with the Kings comes from an ex-King who now works for Paul in Winnipeg. “I hired a guy a few years ago who played for Powell River over 20 years ago, Brett Holmes,” he said, “and he introduced me to coach Lewis. [Holmes] said it was the best hockey experience of his life and that living here and the way people embraced the team was unbelievable.”
Paul also credited the reputation of BC Hockey League and his son’s pursuit of a college scholarship via that route for influencing their decision.
“After doing a lot of research on the coach, the team and the history of the BCHL, we just figured, fear is temporary and regret is forever, so let’s give it a shot.”
After a full day of camp and cuts to come, Paul said, “Kent told us at the Kamloops camp that they ran a small camp and they don’t sift through a ton of players.” He has seen his son stand out at other camps, but “here everyone is good so it will be tough. For me, it’s fun to watch my son play and hopefully he gets one of those spots.”
Unfortunately, Alex didn’t make the 25-man roster that went over to Cowichan Capitals and Alberni Valley Bulldogs for two scheduled exhibition games.
In Duncan, on Thursday, August 27, Kings were led by Jonny Evans and Carter Turnbull with two goals each in a 9-4 win over the Capitals. On Friday, Kings got goals from Chris Protopoulos and Austin Kamer but came up short as they were edged by the Bulldogs 3-2.
