Meet The 2014-2015
Fernie Ghostriders Get your favourite
Player
PLAYERS
Portraits and Bio
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Cell: 250-430-1427 Office: 250-223-2000 Fax: 250-423-2080 Toll Free: 1-877-423-2001 garry@fernierealestate.com
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THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
Welcome to the 2014-2015 season
W
elcome to another season of Ghostrider Hockey! This season promises to be a great one and more importantly we will be in our 11th season in the KIJHL. Since joining the KIJHL in 2004 we have had our successes and our tears, but something that never changes is the support for the Ghostriders.
A huge shout out to the fans and sponsors for your endless support – it means a lot to our team! I would like to welcome head coach and general manager Craig Mohr back to Fernie! We are very excited having him back as the bench boss. Craig has a great eye for talent, so I am sure we will see some exciting hockey this season. Assisting Craig with the team will be the following: Assistant Coaches: Shawn Potyuk, James Ouimet, Jeff Zmurchyk and Gerry Pang Team Training Group: Kayla Neufeld, Heather Lewis, Leahh Potyuk and Jill Snell Team Doctor: Dr. Mike Stuckey Equipment Personnel: Darren Pattison and Brader Rotvold Scouting Staff: Cody Reinbold, Brian Youngson, Darryl Gangon I would also like to welcome new board members Earl Price and Gail Nee. Great to have new board members! Also I would like to thank our returning board members – Lynda Moulton, Rose Mangone, Dan McSkimming, Darryl Hutchinson,
Mountains of toppings and an avalanche of taste
Yours in hockey; Barb Anderson President
The Fernie Ghostriders are proud supporters of many charities and community groups, and it’s likely that you’ll see them helping out around town at various times during the season. Their contributions include: • • •
•
• • • • • •
•
on Like Fac us ebo o
t Take-ou or Delivery
The Difference is Taste
Rocky Ferragotto, Dale Nicolson, Ruth Murdoch, Tom Murdoch and Jason Traska, The Ghostriders are very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers who put in hours and hours of their time. Assisting our board are the many volunteers who help game after game, ensuring the game activities go without any issues. Retiring from the board is longtime board member George Hurlbut. Thank you for the many years on the board, you will be missed! George will still continue managing the Fernie Ghostrider website and writing the blog at www.fernieghostriders.com along with new ventures of writing for the KIJHL. Come out and cheer on the Ghostriders! The full schedule can be found on www.kijhl.ca.
Community Champions
k
Feeding the Ghostrider Fans for over 15 years!
Volunteering at the Terry Fox Run (September 14) Drive One 4UR Community event with Fernie Ford (September 27) Fundraising for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy’s “Reach A Reader” campaign (October 9) “Friends for Friends” pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness, with the jerseys being auctioned off to donate to a local cancer charity (October) Commemorating Remembrance Day with poppies on uniforms (November) Teddy Bear Toss (December) Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign (December) Spaghetti Dinner (February) Weekly Monday night bingo at the Fernie Legion (all year round) Subway Power Play: for every goal scored by a KIJHL home team during a power play, Subway donates $10 to KidSport Plus various fundraisers at each home game, including 50/50, Shoot to Win, Puck Toss and more!
Giv’er, Riders! Have an awesome 2014/15 season!
672 2 Ave, Fernie 250-423-6615
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250-423-0007 592 - 8th Avenue, Fernie, BC
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Have a great season,
Ghostriders!
16 Manitou Rd, Fernie, BC 250-423-9288
THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
C3
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
‘Coach Craig’ returns to Fernie T
he year is 2004 and the Fernie Ghostriders have just joined the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Craig Mohr is appointed head coach and general manager to begin the club’s junior “B” journey, creating a template for the decade ahead. Ten years later, ‘Coach Craig’ has returned to Fernie to take back the reins as the boss on the ice. He speaks proudly of his early achievements with the club, including setting a tradition of placing at the top the Eddie Mountain division. “We were an expansion team, and the goal was to make the playoffs the first year then focus on winning the division the next year. So we [won the division] the second year and they continued doing that until last year.” During his initial two-year tenure with the club, Mohr was also influential in the creation of what he refers to as the “Calgary pipeline” for player recruitment, due to his familiarity with various hockey clubs in Alberta. The close proximity of Fernie to Calgary is just one reason that the Ghostriders are an attractive option for players from across the border. “Geographically, it’s easy for those kids to come here,” says Mohr. “And who’s kidding who, it’s fun to play in front of a lot of people who are loud and boisterous!” The reputation of the Fernie Ghostriders franchise certainly showed during their pre-season camps, where the performance of the Elk Valley’s 16-year-old players particularly impressed Mohr. “There’s a lot of talent here... the future looks good for
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us to have a strong local contingent in years to come.” “We’re going to have lots of [young locals] as affiliate players during this season.” Joining Mohr in the coaching team in 2014-15 is longtime assistant coach Shawn Potyok, as well as James Ouimet, Jeff Zmurchyk and goaltender consultant Gerry Pang. Athletic therapists Heather Lewis and Kyla Neufeld, trainer Leahh Potyok and chiropractor Jill Snell are also on hand to provide treatment to the team, fulfilling an integral role in maintaining the health of the players. These individuals are just a few of the volunteers who work behind the scenes to make the club possible. “They don’t get enough credit... the assistant coaches, the trainers, the board, the billet families; they’re the unsung heroes,” says Mohr. “They’re the real Ghostriders. They’re volunteering their time, because they love the game.” With a win on the road to kick off the season in Invermere, the goal of finishing at the top the division is off to a great start. Mohr credits the support of all the volunteers and fans in Fernie for keeping the club motivated and keeping the players striving to bring home titles at the end of the season. “We’re going to be high-action, high-tempo. We’re going to work hard… I think that’s what some people can remember from my teams 10 years ago.” “I won’t be satisfied unless we win the division… that’s what we have to demand. I think that’s what the town demands. I like the fact that we’re in a market that wants to be successful, and the players like it as well.”
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C4 THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
Meet the 2014/2015
FERNIE GHOSTRIDERS 7 Joel Burgess
Position: Forward Hometown: Jaffray, BC Height: 5’11” Weight: 187 lbs Birth Year: 1994
1 Jeff Orser
Position: Goalie Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’0” Weight: 200 lbs Birth Year: 1995
8 Colby Burns
Position: Defence Hometown: Hillcrest, AB Height: 5’10” Weight: 160 lbs Birth Year: 1995
20 Zak Kuchler
Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 lbs Birth Year: 1996
9 Kale Johnston
Position: Forward Hometown: Powell River, BC Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1995
21 Justin Peers
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 175 lbs Birth Year: 1996
10 Derek Georgopoulos Position: Forward Hometown: Cranbrook, BC Height: 5’10” Weight: 160 lbs Birth Year: 1994
22 Aaron Neufeld
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’10” Weight: 160 lbs Birth Year: 1994
2 Tyler Rebelato
Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’10” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1995
12 Aidan Geiger
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’0” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1995
23 Matt Pronchuk
Position: Defence Hometown: High River, AB Height: 5’11” Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1996
3 Dylan Robertson
Position: Centre Hometown: Sparwood, BC Height: 6’3” Weight: 200 lbs Birth Year: 1994
14 Randy Teeple
Position: Defence Hometown: Fernie, BC Height: 5’11” Weight: 214 lbs Birth Year: 1995
24 Dustin Watt
Position: Defence Hometown: Kamloops, BC Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 lbs Birth Year: 1995
4 Sam Plaquin
Position: Centre Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’1” Weight: 195 lbs Birth Year: 1994
5 Travis Thomsen
Position: Defence Hometown: Galloway, BC Height: 5’9” Weight: 190 lbs Birth Year: 1995
17 David Kelly
Position: Centre Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’3” Weight: 175 lbs Birth Year: 1996
18 Spencer Bender
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’0” Weight: 175 lbs Birth Year: 1995
25 Cole Keebler
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1995
City Hall 501-3rd Ave., Box 190 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.fernie.ca
Helping the Fernie Ghostriders gain traction in the 2014/2015 KIJHL hockey season
Best of Luck in the 2014/15 Season!
26 Tayler Sincennes
Position: Forward Hometown: Red Deer, AB Height: 6’0” Weight: 172 lbs Birth Year: 1996
27 Cavin Tilsley
Position: Forward Hometown: Delta, BC Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1998
28 Joshua McCulloch
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 190 lbs Birth Year: 1996
30 Brandon Butler
Position: Goalie Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’8” Weight: 163 lbs Birth Year: 1996
FERNIE AUTO PARTS #2 Manitou Road • 250-423-4627
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C6 THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
HE
FT RS O
SO
ON D SP
Ghostrider
E I N FER RIDERS T S O GH
U PRO
League:
FACTS
Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
Division:
Eddie Mountain (with Columbia Valley Rockies, Creston Thunder Cats, Golden Rockets and Kimberley Dynamiters)
Colours:
Black, Red, Silver and White
President:
Barb Anderson
Head Coach & GM: Craig Mohr
Wishing the Ghostriders a Great 2014/2015 Season!
S-G IDER
R GO -
Conference: Kootenay
Ghostriders timeline •
1991: Fernie Ghostriders created as a charter member of the junior ‘A’ Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League.
•
1999: Ghostriders move to the America West Hockey League
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2000: Ghostriders win 2000 Gold Cup National Championship
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2003: Ghostriders receive bronze medal in US Junior National Gold Cup
•
2003/04: Ghostriders play in the North American Hockey League
•
Ghostriders 2004: Junior Hockey League
•
2006: Ghostriders win division; place third overall in the KIJHL
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2007: Ghostriders win division then become overall KIJHL Champions
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2008: Ghostriders win KIJHL championship for the second year in a row; bronze in Cyclone Taylor Cup
•
2009: Ghostriders reach semifinals of KIJHL
•
2011: Fernie hosts Cyclone Taylor Cup; Ghostriders win silver medal
•
2013: Barb Anderson appointed club president
•
2014: Craig Mohr appointed Dylan Robertson named as captain
move
AWHL
to
championship;
junior
head
‘B’
coach
Kootenay
and
appeared
in
International
general
manager;
O
Where are they now?
T
he Fernie Ghostriders joined the junior “B” KIJHL in 2004 and since then many former players have found places to play after their time with the Riders was over. Below is a list of some of those players:
Connor McLaughlin played two years in Fernie, finishing up as the team’s MVP in his second season before moving on to the Selkirk Saints in Castlegar. McLaughlin and the Saints won the BCIHL Championship for the last two years in a row.
Jason Greenwell was the Ghostriders’ number-one goalie for three seasons and was in net for the Riders second KIJHL Championship in 2008. Greenwell, a former MVP, went on to Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington after his time in Fernie, where he has played and studied for the last three seasons. Forward and Captain Josh McKissock played here two years ago and went to Simon Fraser University in the BCIHL last year.
Chris Solecki played net for the Riders for two years then last season he played in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University.
Trevor Hertz won a KIJHL Championship with the Riders and was named as the Ghostriders’ Rookie of the Year in 2006. He went on to play four years of junior A before attending Utica College.
Defenceman Jeff Rayman played in Fernie two years ago then took a big jump up to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL last season, where he will play again this year. Jeff was named as the most improved player in 2013.
1492 HIGHWAY 3, FERNIE, BC * 250-423-9211 www.fernieford.ca * sales@fernieford.ca
Jace Coyle won a championship with the Riders in 2006 then went to the WHL where he played out his junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Coyle, who was named as the best defenceman in 2006, signed with the Dallas Stars in 2010 but didn’t make the NHL team and played with the Lake Erie Monsters in the AHL last year.
THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
C7
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
Hard work pays off for Sparwood local
Back and better than ever, Dylan Robertson takes on a new role as captain
P
owering across the ice in pursuit of the puck, teams in Calgary, the leadership of veteran players can Dylan Robertson cuts an imposing figure for his help to ease the nerves of rookies who are adapting opponents. The crowd roars as he delivers one of to their new roles. As a Sparwood local, Robertson is his trademark checks, and the Ghostriders are set to score accustomed to helping his new teammates settle in to the yet another goal. Elk Valley. He has been known to lead the other players It’s all in a day’s work for this guy. Now in his fifth on trips to Silver Springs Lakes, where he gives them year with the Ghostriders, 20-year-old pointers on jumping off the cliffs. Robertson has been named captain for “I’m probably better at doing flips “I wanted to come the 2014-15 season in what new head than I am at hockey,” he quips. into the season being coach Craig Mohr says was an easy Robertson is also a keen fisherman heavier and I wanted decision. and has enjoyed a particularly active “[Choosing Robertson] was one of the to be dominant out summer on the waterways, including first things I did,” explains Mohr. there this year; I want participating in the filming of a video “After talking to former coaches of about fishing in the Kootenays. He is still to try to tally his, looking at the tenure he had put in considering a variety of options for his some points” and then having a conversion with him, post junior hockey path, from pursuing it wasn’t a hard call to make.” further education to backpacking in Dylan Robertson Indeed, the 6-foot-3 centre looks set to Asia. Captain of the Fernie Ghostriders return bigger and better than ever, after Back at the arena, Robertson speaks gaining 25 pounds since April. His hard easily about his appreciation for the work during the off-season will show in Fernie Ghostriders and the opportunities that he has been his performance on the ice, but the new captain has some offered since joining as an affiliate player in 2009. additional goals for his final season in junior hockey. “They’re a great organisation to play for… they treat “I wanted to come into the season being heavier and I you like you’re in a higher level than junior ‘B’. That’s wanted to be dominant out there this year; I want to try why everyone wants to be here,” he reflects. “I think to tally some points,” Robertson says. “But a huge thing [Mohr] is going to make my last year really fun and I’m for me right now is focusing on making the younger guys glad to be his captain.” feel comfortable.” “I think it’ll be a really good year for fans to come out With a great amount of talent coming in from AAA to a game.”
Phone (250) 425-7858 Fax (250) 425-7860 Toll Free 1-800-557-3464 612 Sparwood Drive www.rosenau.org
Proudly supporting the Ghostriders throughout their 2014/15 season.
Best of luck to the Ghostriders for the 2014/15 season! Sparwood, B.C. 250-425-2713
C8
THE FREE PRESS, September 25, 2014
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Fernie 2014 - 2015 Regular Season Schedule FR 05-Sep 7:30P Kimberley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 10-Oct 7:30P Grand Forks VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 14-Nov 7:30P Fernie VS. Golden Golden Arena
FR 19-Dec 7:30P Creston VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SA 17-Jan 7:30P Nelson VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SA 06-Sep 7:00P Fernie VS. Kimberley Kimberley Civic Centre
SA 11-Oct 7:30P Kelowna VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SA 15-Nov 7:30P Spokane VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SA 20-Dec 7:00P Fernie VS. Kimberley Kimberley Civic Centre
FR 23-Jan 7:30P Golden VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SU 07-Sep 4:00P Golden VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 17-Oct 7:30P Col Valley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SU 28-Dec 6:00P Fernie VS. Kimberley Kimberley Civic Centre
SA 24-Jan 7:30P Fernie VS. Golden Golden Arena
SA 13-Sep 7:30P Fernie VS.Col Valley Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena
SA 18-Oct 7:30P Fernie VS. Golden Golden Arena
FR 21-Nov 7:30P Fernie VS. Beaver Valley Fruitvale - Beaver Valley Arena
MO 29-Dec 7:30P Kimberley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 30-Jan 7:00P Fernie VS. Nelson Nelson Community Complex
FR 19-Sep 7:00P Fernie VS. Kelowna Kelowna - Rutland Arena SA 20-Sep 7:00P Fernie VS. North Okanagan Armstrong - Nor-Val Centre SU 21-Sep 2:00P Fernie VS. Summerland Summerland Arena FR 26-Sep 7:30P Fernie VS. Col Valley Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena SA 27-Sep 7:30P Golden VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 03-Oct 7:30P Fernie VS. Golden Golden Arena SA 04-Oct 7:30P Summerland VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
GAME ON!
SA 22-Nov 7:30P Kimberley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 24-Oct 7:30P Castlegar VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 25-Oct 7:30P North Okanagan VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 31-Oct 7:30P Golden VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 01-Nov 7:30P Osoyoos VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 07-Nov 7:30P Kimberley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 08-Nov 7:30P Fernie VS. Creston Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena
FR 28-Nov 7:00P Fernie VS. Kimberley Kimberley Civic Centre
WE 31-Dec 7:30P Fernie VS. Creston Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena
SA 29-Nov 7:30P Creston VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 02-Jan 7:30P Creston VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SU 01-Feb 2:00P Fernie VS. Spokane Spokane - Eagles Ice-A-Rena
FR 05-Dec 7:35P Fernie VS. Osoyoos Osoyoos Sun Bowl
SA 03-Jan 7:30P Golden VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 06-Feb 7:00P Fernie VS. Kimberley Kimberley Civic Centre
SA 06-Dec 7:00P Fernie VS. Princeton Princeton & District Arena
FR 09-Jan 7:30P Kimberley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SU 07-Dec 4:00P Fernie VS. Grand Forks Grand Forks Arena
SA 10-Jan 7:30P Creston VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
TU 10-Feb 7:30P Fernie VS. Creston Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena
SA 13-Dec 7:30P Beaver Valley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
TU 13-Jan 7:30P Fernie VS. Col Valley Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena
SU 14-Dec 7:30P Col Valley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
SU 09-Nov 7:30P Princeton VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
FR 16-Jan 7:30P Fernie VS. Creston Creston - Johnny Bucyk arena
SA 31-Jan 7:00P Fernie VS. Castlegar Castlegar Complex
FR 13-Feb 7:30P Col Valley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 14-Feb 7:30P Fernie VS. Col Valley Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena SU 15-Feb 7:30P Col Valley VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
s
All the best wishes for a great 2014/15 season! From Wayne and Sandra Varty
New owners of Tim Hortons, Fernie (250) 423-4222 1791 9th Ave Fernie
Store hours Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Looking forward to the
2014 –15 hockey season.