BOBCAT CAUGHT PAGE 2
CMS BUILDING TAKING SHAPE PAGE 3
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? PAGE 6
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Health centre renamed to hospital By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
more praises of home. “Together, we can keep this valley, the beautiful Nicola Valley, the healthy community that we all know and love.” Merritt Mayor Susan Roline, Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali and OkanaganCoquihalla MP Dan Albas also spoke at the two-hour reception, where they presented five Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals. The medals honour the achievements of and contributions to communities by Canadians.
The facility formerly known as the Nicola Valley Health Centre now has a name that reflects its functions. After about a year of pondering, the Ministry of Health and Interior Health announced the decision to change the name to the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre on Friday. Merritt Mayor Susan Roline received unanimous support from city council on Jan. 10, 2012, for the recommended change. At the time, she said people assumed Merritt didn’t have a hospital and one of the dangers was the difficulty the former name caused when trying to attract workers. “I think it gives our residents and potential residents confidence that we do have a full-service, functioning hospital here,” she said after the announcement. “There aren’t too many things that you can’t get done here on a regular basis, so I think just having that word ‘hospital’ changes people’s view of it, which I think will help us greatly.” She said her and several others were motivated to call for the change after hearing continual complaints from employers who were having challenges attracting families because of the perception that Merritt didn’t have a hospital. “They didn’t want to come here because they thought that it was basically just an emergency centre,” she said. “This will hopefully dispel some of that [perception].” Merritt’s Economic Development Manager James Umpherson said the change is an improvement.
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Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon explained her role as a “stabilizing factor” in Canada’s democracy at a reception for her on Friday evening. About 150 people attended the event. Emily Wessel/Herald
Lieutenant-governor comes home By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
The province’s lieutenant-governor has big plans during her tenure as the Queen’s representative, she explained at a reception hosted by the City of Merritt in her honour on Friday. “First and foremost, I intend to visit every corner of this great province and to leave the place and myself better informed than when I arrived,” Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon said. “I want to connect rural and urban citizens so that they can learn
about the very different lifestyles they enjoy, and what are the frustrations and challenges faced by each of these two groups.” The division between urban and rural living was a recurring theme in Guichon’s 10-minute speech. Guichon, a prominent Nicola Valley rancher, made reference to the area’s ranchers, loggers and miners as people who produce the raw resources the province’s economy depends on. “We must make it possible for those who earn our first dollar to have the same quality of life as those of
M E R R I T T
us who provide the trade and services that we have all come to appreciate,” Guichon said. She also stated another goal during her tenure is to engage people in all parts of the province in discussions about the constitutional monarchy, which she called a “stabilizing factor in our democratic system.” In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is subject to a constitution rather than in total control of his or her own government, as in an absolute monarchy. “If not a constitutional monarchy, what then?” she
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asked. “What system could provide the stability that we’ve enjoyed in this country since its inception?” Guichon also touched on various other aspects of her new job as lieutenantgovernor, including acting as the royal host to dignitaries, maintaining the bond between the Crown and First Nations, and providing royal assent to provincial legislation, which she will focus on in February. Guichon opened her speech by saying it was great to be home and to greet friends and neighbours, and closed it with
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2 • TUESDAY, January 8, 2013
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Bobcat caught in Diamond Vale By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
An injured bobcat captured in a dramatic standoff in the alley behind Douglas Street on Thursday is now recovering at the B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops. City of Merritt Bylaw Services Officer Bob Davis first heard about the bobcat from a Diamond Vale man early last week after the man’s daughter spotted the cat around the old Coquihalla Middle School. But it wasn’t until two fruitless searches of the area and a day later that Davis got a chance to capture the cat. He received a call from RCMP saying they had the bobcat cornered in a back alley early Thursday afternoon. “I turn in the alleyway and sure enough, there’s the police cruiser
‘It almost seemed like he was happy to be captured and put some place warm.’ —RCMP CONST. JON PUTERBOUGH
and a bunch of people standing around,” Davis said. “Then I see this poor little kitty holding his right paw, and it’s obviously broken right at the wrist. He runs from underneath one car to underneath the police car. We had to get the little fellow running down the alley to run him down and throw a blanket over him.” Davis said the bobcat started quickly once it was scared out from
under the police car, but it soon slowed down because of its injury. Davis, RCMP Const. Jon Puterbough, and residents of nearby houses managed to wrap the small wildcat up in the blanket. “As soon as he was in that blanket he was calm,” said Puterbough. “It almost seemed like he was happy to be captured and put some place warm.” It is not known how the bobcat was injured or how long ago the injury occurred. “He was quite mobile and didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, but it would’ve killed him eventually because he couldn’t hunt properly,” Puterbough said. He added that the bobcat, no bigger than a house cat, appears to be quite young and is a good candidate for reintroduction to the wild once recovered from
Fred Feistmann, Investment Advisor RCMP suspect the bobcat captured on Thursday is young enough to be a good candidate for rehabilitation and reintroduction to the wild. Submitted
surgery. “I’m glad we were able to help him,” Puterbough said. Neither of Merritt’s two Conservation Officers were available to respond to the call because they were on a snowmobile patrol and were out of cellphone range at the time, said South Okanagan COS Sgt. Jim Beck. Beck said he was aware of the situation, but was unable to attend from Penticton. He also said the
snow loads at higher elevations tend to drive bobcats into valleys in search of food, where they seek small prey such as quails, rabbits and squirrels. “I’m glad they managed to [capture the bobcat] because they’re beautiful little creatures and they don’t really pose a threat to people,” Beck said. “If you do encounter one, though, give any wild animal its distance. If you encounter one that’s injured, it’s best to contact COS.”
Coroner confirms name of teen killed near Coquihalla Lakes By Robert Freeman BLACK PRESS
rfreeman@theprogress.com
The BC Coroner confirmed on Friday the name of the 16-year-old Chilliwack girl killed in a snow-
mobile accident Dec. 30 near the Coquihalla Lakes Lodge halfway between Hope and Merritt. Billie Brittany Bell lost control of her snowmobile after hitting
two bumps in the snow, crashed into a tree and was thrown 20 feet into another tree, sustaining massive head injuries. The 11:45 a.m. accident is still under investigation, Chilliwack
RCMP Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth said on Thursday. According to an investigation report, the teen was wearing a helmet and goggles at the time of the accident.
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The young girl was air lifted to hospital, but did not survive her injuries. “Her father was with her at the time of the accident,” Hollingsworth said.
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Fid Intnl Portfolio Ivy Cdn Fund Ivy Foreign Fund Bissett Cdn Equity RBC Balanced Fund RBC Cdn Div. Fund CI Signature Select Cdn
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THIS WEEK’S MARKETS .... Equity and fixed income markets are relatively quiet and commodities are modestly weaker as the holidays wrap up. Futures on the S&P 500 are lower by a single point. European markets are mostly lower amidst a bout of profit taking after a spectacular start to 2013. Markets in Asia were mixed with Japan finally taking a breather (-0.8%), while the Shanghai Composite recorded a +0.4% gain to start the week. The yield on the U.S. 10 year Treasury is unchanged (1.90%). WTI crude (-0.4%), copper (-0.7%), gold (flat), silver (-0.2%).
Canadian Common A&W Revenue Royalties 21.26 ATCO Ltd. 80.01 Arc Resources Ltd. 23.48 BCE Inc 43.13 Barrick Gold Corp 34.14 Ballard Power Sys 0.62 Bonavista Energy Corp 14.57 Bombardier 3.87 Bank of Montreal 61.63 Bank of Nova Scotia 57.59 Can. National Railway 90.57 Canadian Tire (NON VTG A) 67.88 Cameco Corporation 19.36 CIBC 81.16 Canadian Utilities Ltd. 71.75 Can. Real Est. Trust 42.54 Can. Nat. Res. Ltd. 30.15 Enbridge 43.16 EnCana Corporation 20.16 Finning 25.67 Husky Energy Inc. 29.69 Imperial Oil 43.05 Kinross Gold Corp 9.26 Loblaw Companies 41.56 Maple Leaf Foods 11.82 Molson Coors Can Inc. 42.50 Manulife Financial 14.02 Pembina Pipeline Corp. 28.68 Potash Corp of Sask 41.03 Pengrowth Energy Corp. 5.00 Power Financial Corp. 27.85 Precision Drilling Corp 8.87 Rogers Comm Inc. 45.16
Royal Bank 61.07 Research In Motion Ltd. 11.85 Sun Life Financial Inc 27.14 Shaw Comm Inc 22.86 Shopper’s Drug Mart 42.43 Suncor Energy Inc 33.58 Toromont Inds Ltd 22.31 Toronto Dominion Bank 82.80 Transcanada Corp 47.28 Telus Corp 65.19 Tim Hortons Inc 48.25
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Alcoa Inc. American Express Co. Mellon Corp Cisco Systems Inc. Deere & Co. Walt Disney Co. (The) Gap Inc. General Electric Co. Home Depot Inc. Johnson & Johnson Macy’s Inc. Microsoft Corp. Sprint Nextel Corp PÄzer Inc. Pepsico Inc. AT&T INC Staples Inc. United Tech Corp Walmart Stores Inc. Wendy’s Arby’s Gr.
9.26 59.61 27.29 20.48 88.67 52.19 32.10 21.20 63.18 71.55 37.94 26.74 5.92 25.96 69.46 35.23 11.76 84.98 69.06 4.76
Fred is an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities specializing in efÄcient money management strategies. Any questions or comments can be directed to him at 1-800-774-9631 or e-mail fred.feistmann@rbc.com
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TUESDAY, January 8, 2013 • 3
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Change could help attract workers: Umpherson From Page 1 “Rebranding the Health Centre to a hospital will improve the perception of the community,” he said. “It will enhance the quality of life and image of Merritt to attract business, families and labour.” The name change was also supported by the Thompson Regional Hospital District. The change reflects the desire of the ministry to reflect the purpose of the building in its name, something
Merritt Mayor Susan Roline is one of the key people responsible for lobbying the B.C. government to approve the hospital’s name change. Phillip Woolgar/Herald
that its former title didn’t outright state. “Nicola Valley Hospital and Health
Five Merrittonians honoured at event From Page 1 Albas presented medals to Al Clark, a long-time broadcaster in Merritt, and to Dr. Margaret Carlson, a long-time philanthropist, as well as Merritt’s first female doctor. Lali presented medals to Sharon McIvor, NVIT instructor, lawyer, and aboriginal activist; as well as Das Kandola, owner of City Furniture and member of several community organizations. Mayor Susan Roline presented a medal to Ken Moyes, a war veteran and the first real estate agent in Merritt. Moyes also volunteered in countless community groups throughout the years, and Roline said his work facilitated the growth of the commu-
nity through subdivisions, land sales, and housing solutions. Sixty-thousand medals were handed out across the country. The evening concluded with local entertainment, including Irish dancing, Indo-Canadian dancing, and aboriginal drumming. The drummers also presented Guichon with a cedar root basket, made by an 88-year-old Lytton elder, symbolizing sustainable production, and a handmade blanket, symbolizing people’s reliance on the land for livelihood. Many of the drummers were among the 80 or so people gathered outside the Civic Centre during the cepetion for an Idle No More rally. About 150 attended the reception.
Centre provides exceptional care to patients every day,” Health Minister Margaret
MacDiarmid said in a release. “We heard that the community felt the name should reflect
the nature of health care services available at the site and we listened. I am very pleased to announce that the new name is now official.” The hospital was originally called the Nicola Valley General Hospital when it was built in 1963. The name changed to the Nicola Valley Health Centre because of the various healthrelated programs consolidated in the building. The facility offers health care services such as eight acute inpatient beds; a 24/7
emergency room; rehabilitation and physiotherapy; public health support; mental health support; home and community care nursing; home support, and lab and X-ray. The hospital and health centre is designated as a Level 1 Community Hospital within Interior Health. Interior Health aims to update the signs and listings on websites and in phone books in the next several months. Of the 33 health facilities in the IHA region, 22 now have “hospital” in their names.
Conayt to offer trades programs in old middle school building By Phillip Woolgar THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Since the Conayt Friendship Society took hold of the old Coquihalla Middle School building in October, stakeholders with the group have been deciding what to do with the 40,000-square-foot facility. Now, the society is looking to use the building to teach certified trades programs, Conayt’s executive director George Girouard told City of Merritt council at a regular meeting last month. “We are moving forward with a lot of decisions,” he said, noting he is seeking the assistance of the provincial and federal governments. “A few in the industry are already on side with us.” He said the initiative would improve the community by offering training in fields in need of workers, and discussions have included Canadian National Railway and FortisBC. “This looks for a 90 to 95 per cent employment rate,” he said. “This will help bridge the gap to employment.”
‘We’re looking at changing the dynamics of the community for the positive.’ —CONAYT FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GEORGE GIROUARD
Developments in discussions about extraction of oil in northern B.C. have helped structure the society’s ideas, he added. “We have to take this active role.” Girouard said Merritt’s Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops could be involved. “We’re looking at changing the dynamics of the community for the positive,” he said. “This is taking leadership and making communities more effective.” The city’s chief administrative officer, Matt Noble, commended the society for the ideas and encouraged them to work more with the city. “It sounds like a great
opportunity for the community,” he said. “We are delighted that you have contacted professionals and the federal government and we encourage you to contact the [city’s] planning department.” A timeline for when the programs would be offered hasn’t been set out. CMS was closed in June after Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 was confronted by decreased provincial funding and fewer students. Funding protection dropped by 1.5 percentage points to 98.5 per cent. The school district faced a further challenge from the Ministry of Education’s decision to only cover costs of the equivalent of each course, rather than each student. The decision to close the school resulted in a change from a system where Merritt students attended elementary school from kindergarten to Grade 6, then CMS in Grades 6 to 8, and then high school from Grades 9 to 12. The new system is from kindergarten to Grade 7 and then from Grade 8 to 12.
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GOOD MORNING! Opinion ------------------------ 4 Sports ------------------------- 6 Classifieds ------------------- 7 TODAY’S HERALD FLYERS *Selected distribution
REMEMBER WHEN? From the Herald archives: January, 1983
Teachers win three per cent in arbitration An arbitration decision handed down last week gave Merritt school teachers a three per cent raise in salary for their 1983 contract. The Nicola Valley Teachers Association had asked for a nine per cent increase, while the Merritt School Board proposed to teachers that they accept a three per cent rollback in salary so that no layoffs would occur. School board chairman Elmer Reimer, who also heads the board’s negotiating committee, said the decision made by the arbitration board will mean the layoff of 22 teachers next September. Reimer said that on the basis of funding now expected from the ministry of education, the school district will not have the money to otherwise meet the arbitrated raise.
4 • TUESDAY, January 8, 2013
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HERALD OPINION Recalling the Ebola outbreak If you decided to barricade yourself in your house just before Christmas in order to avoid the dreaded Ebola outbreak in Kamloops, you can blame me for ruining your planned last-minute Christmasshopping plans. Blame me — and the Internet and social media and especially the frustration known as autocorrect. Having uploaded to Facebook a nice photo of my daughter in a bookstore, I typed in a little explanation, noting bookstores are a favourite place to visit, even in this age of electronic reading. “We have to keep these places alive, in spite of damn ebooks and such,” is what I typed on my phone’s keypad. Of course, autocorrect could not recognize “ebooks” and naturally replaced it with a word it could recognize, so my post became: “We have to keep these places alive, in spite of damn Ebola and such.” Chris Foulds is editor of Kamloops This Week. See Kamloopsthisweek.com for the full version.
Pilates in the snow just isn’t realistic PHILLIP WOOLGAR Merritt HERALD Sub, sub, sub freezing temperatures, slippery snow and ice, frost-bitten toes and fingers, and windshields caked in ice, all add up to a typical Canadian winter. It’s not exactly the best
Publisher Kelly Hall publisher@ kamloopsthisweek.com
situation for someone wanting to stay in, or get into, shape — and that’s exactly what many of you vowed to do when turning the calendar to the new year. But while communities throughout the nation contend with temperatures steadily below the -10 C mark (and in some places, much lower) the sun shines a little warmer in Merritt. So instead of curling up in a blanket by a heater, closing your blinds and trying to think warm thoughts,
remember another strategy that will keep you toasty: moving. Admittedly, this isn’t something that I’ve recently done a lot of, but I’m seeking inspiration from what the experts have to say. While much of the advise is useful, a lot of it requires unfaltering discipline that would put the Karate Kid to shame (the trained kid, and especially the one at the beginning of the movie who lacked all discipline). For example, have a cold
Editor Phillip Woolgar newsroom@ merrittherald.com
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MERRITT HERALD 2090 G
shower in the morning so that your body doesn’t lose energy after it cools down again. I don’t think so; hot showers are all that get me out of bed to begin with. Also, do Pilates in the snow first thing in the morning. Apparently this is a good idea because morning exercise keeps people alert throughout the day, and the snow provides resistance that can improve results. But let’s be real: Pilates in the snow, first thing in
the morning? Alas, some ideas appear to actually be useful. While I’ve noticed a lot of bulky and unused exercise equipment placed awkwardly in the corner of otherwise functional rooms, much of the modern exercise technology can keep the functionality and aesthetic appeal of living rooms and bedrooms in tact. Treadmills can be stored under beds, and Canadian Living Magazine says home equipment is often
Reporter Emily Wessel reporter@ merrittherald.com
RANITE AVE., PO BOX 9, MERRITT, B.C. PHONE (250) 378-4241
the best option. In his article, Dr. Joey Shulman also credits results-educing fitness DVDs, gym memberships and frequent walks. These options also require discipline, but not as much as cold showers and Pilates in the snow. Speaking from experience, the only way forge past the icy boulders wedged snug between me and getting into shape during the winter is to stay active with sports. The Nicola Valley
Advertising Sales Alisa Saunders sales@ merrittherald.com
offers activities such as indoor hockey, ice hockey and crosscountry skiing, all of which can at least tie people over until jogging season begins again in March. Each person will have an activity that works for them, and others have a perpetual lack of willpower, but if you manage to live a healthy lifestyle during a Canadian winter, then there’s not a lot standing in your way to achieving your long-term health goals.
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This Merritt Herald is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
TUESDAY, January 8, 2013 • 5
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
First Nations relations in ’12 promising, province says By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
The provincial government has made great strides in improving relations between itself, First Nations communities and industry in 2012, according to a press release from Dec. 28. “As 2012 comes to a close, I take great pride in the progress we have made ... strengthening relationships with First Nations, while creating a climate where resource industries can flourish,” Aboriginal Relations
and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong said in the release. The department reached over a dozen agreements with First Nations communities throughout the province over the year which mainly focus on resourcesharing and speeding up the approval and regulatory process for resource industries on treaty land. The agreements emphasize economic benefit for First Nations communities and stakes in resource development on indigenous territory. The renewal of the
strategic engagement agreement with the Nanwakolas group of First Nations is the latest of the 14 agreements included in the Jobs Plan. The Nanwakolas represents eight First Nations communities in northeastern Vancouver Island and along the coast. The agreement, which was signed in 2009, facilitates more efficient approvals and regulations for resource development, which the province expects to boost the area’s economy. “Through our partnerships and agree-
ments, Nanwakolas has been able to hire a dozen staff to work on the many permitting requests in that region, building capacity within the First Nations and producing certainty for industry,” Chong said in the release. The government has also made agreements with the Fort Nelson First Nation on consultation and land use for oil and gas development; Kaska Dena First Nations, which outlines government-to-government processes in resource development on
over 10 per cent of the province’s land; and the Nak’azdli Economic Community Development Agreement, which outlines revenue sharing with the Mount Milligan Mine. The mine resides in a sacred area. The announcement comes in the midst of heavy scrutiny on the federal government by First Nations because of Omnibus Bill C-45, which is being criticized for failing to consult with First Nations groups over legislation that affects treaty land.
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DANCING THE YEAR AWAY About 40 people of all ages hit the dance floor at the New Year’s Eve party upstairs at the arena last Monday. The party was rounded out with pizza, pop, prizes, a balloon drop and a countdown — even though the free, family-friendly party was over by 7 p.m. Local DJ John Allison provided the tunes for partygoers. Emily Wessel/Herald
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The BC Services Card. Your CareCard, and more. CRIME OF THE WEEK
BREAK AND ENTER
At 0700 on December 20 2012 a report of a break and enter was reported at Norgaard’s ready mix. There have been numerous break and enters reported to the RCMP over the past month including residential, business and vehicles. Anyone with any information on this crime or any others is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP at 378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. This message brought to you by the Merritt Herald
1-800-222-8477 If you have any information on this vandalism, please contact Crime Stoppers you will remain anonymous and will never have to go to court.
One card. Many services. The new BC Services Card is part of government’s plan to modernize BC’s health care system. It replaces your CareCard, can be combined with your driver’s licence, and also acts as your photo ID. It’s more convenient and more secure, with enhanced features to protect your personal information. And getting yours is easy. Starting February 15, 2013, and for the next five years, you can simply enrol when renewing your driver’s licence. And even if you don’t drive, you can enrol at the nearest location where driver’s licences are issued. To learn more visit: BCServicesCard.ca
6 • TUESDAY, January 8, 2013
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HERALD SPORTS Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing sports@merrittherald.com
Where are they now? An update on where some of last year’s Centennials are......and what they’re doing Brandon Pfeil
By Ian Webster THE HERALD
sports@merrittherald.com
No fewer than 12 players who wore a Centennials’ jersey on a regular basis last season are no longer with the club. Some of the players graduated, some accepted scholarships to schools on both sides of the border, while some were traded to other teams. Here’s a catch-up on where those former Centennials are, and what they’re up to. Ross Mancuso The 20-yearold Mancuso, from Coppell, Texas, played just one season for the Centennials, amassing two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 60 regular season and playoff games. The rugged, stay-at-home defenceman had planned to end his junior hockey career this past March and head off to college in Minnesota. Instead, Mancuso found his way back to Canada, and is enrolled at TRU in Kamloops. When the schedule works, Mancuso is playing part-time for the Osoyoos Coyotes of the KIJHL – the same team that he had played for prior to catching on with the Centennials. In just 11 games since the beginning of October, the tall Texan has garnered one goal and three assists for four points. Evan Stack Last year’s team captain was one of the most popular players to ever wear a Centennials’ uniform. The Calgary native played two full seasons for Merritt following one year of Junior B with the Princeton Posse. Stack was noted for his tremendous work ethic and leadership qualities. Following a stellar second BCHL campaign that saw him score 36 goals and add 36 assists for 72 points in 69 regular season and playoff games, Stack earned a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. An early-season concussion has limited Stack’s playing time thus far for the Minutemen. He has played in just four games, and has yet to pick up any points.
Originally from West Vancouver, Pfeil spent two seasons playing for the Merritt Centennials. Last year, he racked up nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points in just 54 regular season games. The smooth skating defenceman is enjoying an excellent freshman season of Ivy League hockey at Brown University in Providence, R.I. He was recently named the ECAC Player of the Week in December for his four-point performance (one goal, three assists) in the Bears’ 7-2 win over American International College. The victory helped Brown finish third overall at the holiday UConn Hockey Classic. Next season, Pfeil will be joined at Brown by current Centennials’ goalie Tyler Steel. Chad Brears Originally from Cold Lake, Alberta, Brears is continuing his hockey career in the southern United States at the University of AlabamaHuntsville. He is playing alongside former BCHLers Jeff Vanderlught (Surrey), Anderson White (Chilliwack), and Graeme Strukoff (Victoria). In 21 games for the 3-17-1 Chargers, the speedy Brears has picked up one goal and one assist for two points. Recently, UAH lost 5-2 to perennial powerhouse Boston College. In two seasons with the Centennials, Brears played a total of 125 regular season and playoff games. In his breakout 2011-12 season, he scored 30 goals and added 34 assists for 64 points in 67 games. Bill Marshall The long, tall Marshall – who calls Smithers home – had a tremendous final season with the Centennials, playing huge minutes on the blueline. In 69 regular season and playoff games, the rushing D’man scored 14 goals and added 26 assists for 40 points. He also accrued 64 PIMs looking after his teammates when the need
arose. Marshall is playing scholarship hockey at Mount Royal University in Calgary. In their first CIS season, the Cougars are 4-14-0 in regular season play. In 18 games, Marshall has one goal and three assists for four points. Reece Willcox Born in Surrey, Willcox played two seasons with the Centennials, scoring 13 goals and adding 31 assists for 44 points in 118 games. The rangy defenceman also played for the goldmedal-winning Canada West U19 team at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge in Langley. On scholarship at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Willcox has played 15 games for the Big Red, recording two assists. Brayden Low A Richmond native, Low spent parts of two seasons with the Centennials before being moved to the Powell River Kings early in the 2012-13 BCHL season. In 56 regular season and playoff games with Merritt, Low tallied six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. A face-off specialist, Low has scored four goals and added five assists for nine points in 14 games with the Kings.
Brandon Bruce A native of Cranbrook, Bruce played a little more than one season for the Centennials before being traded to the nationally number 1-ranked Brooks Bandits of the AJHL in November for Sam Johnson. In 87 games for Merritt, the feisty centreman recorded 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points. In 10 games with the Bandits (38-1-0-1), Bruce has four goals and one assist for five points. Lino Chimienti The Centennials’ very popular French Connection played the better part of two seasons between the pipes in Merritt. The Laval, Que. native started a total of 78 regular season and playoff games in net for the Centennials. In 2009-10, his GAA was 3.11, and his save per cent 0.894. In his second year, Chimienti improved those stats to 2.86 GAA with a 0.907 save per cent. In his first season at Hobart College in upstate New York, Chimienti is playing behind a pair of goaltenders in their senior year; he has yet to get a start. The Statesmen are an impressive 11-1-2
in league and exhibition play. Dustin Lebrun After being moved to the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League at the trade deadline last January (to make room for Carter Shinkaruk), the 20-year-old Lebrun was traded this past summer to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL. The forward from Coquitlam has flourished with the ’Cats. He is leading the team in scoring with 10 goals and 19 assists in 40 games played. During his season-and-a-half as a Centennial, fan-favourite Lebrun tallied 17 goals and added 11 assists in 83 regular season and playoff games. Jakob Reichert After two seasons with the Centennials, Reichert was traded to his hometown Langley Rivermen in the summer of 2012. In 104 regular season and playoff games with Merritt, the bruising Reichert amassed 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points along with 165 PIMs. In 32 games this season with the Rivermen, Reichert has scored three goals and added 14 assists for 17 pts. Photos courtesy of V22 Photography
Carter Shinkaruk After three seasons with the Powell River Kings, Shinkaruk was a trade deadline acquisition by the Centennials in January, 2012. The veteran forward played a big role in helping Merritt make it to the Interior Division finals in last season’s BCHL playoffs. In 31 games as a Centennial, the Langley native recorded six goals and six assists for 12 points in total. Shinkaruk is playing NCAA Division III hockey this season at Elmira College in Elmira, New York. In 13 games for the Soaring Eagles, Shinkaruk has five goals and one assist for six points. One of his teammates is former Centennial and Burnaby Express Dylan Herold.
KANE AND ABLE Nicola Nordic Ski Club members Paul and Tanya Mihura enjoy some cross-country skiing on the Kane Valley trails during the Christmas holidays. The NNSC will be hosting their annual Chili Sunday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on January 13 at Parking Lot #3 on the Kane Valley Road. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call John Anderson (250-936-8363). Ian Webster/Herald
TUESDAY, January 8, 2013 • 7
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Room & Board Rooms to rent and/or room & board. $400/mon. for room. Room & board negotiable. Seniors preferred. Contact Doug or Donna at 250-378-5688 or douggdixon@yahoo.ca. No alcohol or drugs.
Suites, Lower Avail. Feb. 1, two bdrm suite, w/d, n/p, n/s, ref. req. $715 util incl. 378-6349 leave mess.
Suites, Upper 3 bdrm suite for rent. Close to downtown. N/s, N/d, no pets,ref. req., fenced yard. $750/month. 250-378-9560
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Theresa Arnold Merritt Herald 2090 Granite Ave. Merritt , BC V1K 1B8 Phone: (250) 378-4241 Fax: (250) 378-6818 Email: publisher@merrittherald.com
8 • TUESDAY, January 8, 2013
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