Get your favorite
PLAYER’S autographs!
Player
Portraits and Bio
Meet The 2015-2016
Fernie Ghostriders It’s Hockey Season! Wishing the Ghostrider’s all the best for the 2015/16 season.
C2
THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
Welcome to the 2015-2016 season
W
elcome to the 2015-2016 season! We are a proud member of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) which has proven to be one of the best leagues in Western Canada. This season is guaranteed to be exciting as we had a strong showing at our main camp and exhibition games. I would like to thank the board members for their continued commitment. Also, to the fans, community members, sponsors and volunteers. Without your continued support, it would be a struggle to run the team. The team was second overall in the league last season and first in the Eddie Mountain Division. Looking to an even better record this season as Coach Mohr has been working hard this past summer. Good luck to Coach Mohr and the team staff, Jeff Zmurchyk, Pascal Morency, Jerry Pang, Kayla Neufeld, Heather Lewis, Jill Snell and Dr. Stuckey. Thank you for your continued support and enjoy the season!
T
he 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: • Volunteering at the Terry Fox Run (September 13) •
Drive One 4UR Community event with Fernie Ford (October 3)
•
Fundraising for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy’s “Reach A Reader” campaign (October 9)
•
• Yours in hockey; Barb Anderson, President Fernie Ghostriders Jr Hockey Club
Community Champions
“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)
•
Food Bank Donation (December)
•
Salvation Army Christmas Kettle campaign (December)
•
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, T-Shirt Cannon, Puck Toss and more!
Proud supporters of the
Player of the Week It’s not whether you win or lose... it’s how you play the game.
Proudly supporting the Ghostriders throughout their 2015/16 season.
McDonald’s Highway 3 - Fernie
Sparwood, B.C. 250-425-2713
THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
C3
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
Hello Ghostrider Fans!!
H
ello Ghostriders Fans!! Welcome to another year of Riders Hockey. It is my privilege to be your Head Coach/GM again this year and I am very excited and motivated to continue the winning tradition of our Team.
N
ew assistant coach Pascal Morency, who just finished up 12 years as a pro in several different leagues is much more than a hockey guy and is not only here to help the players on the ice, but off the ice as well . The very personable Morency, who is a Certified Professional Life Coach through the World Coaching Institute, will be a rather large bonus to the players and to Coach Mohr this year as well. Morency has played for a lot of coaches over the years and Rider Coach Craig Mohr is right up there with the best of them.... he says “the team, and the town is lucky to have him”. Morency who also coaches at the Fernie Academy with Spokane Chief’s Director of Player Development Chris Moulton adds that some of the coaches he had over the years were barely aware of some of the concepts Mohr teaches the players in practice. The Rider players are lucky to have Pascal along for the Ride this year. So your wondering how does a guy from Montreal end up here in Fernie.
Big thank you to Barb Anderson and the rest of the board members who give up numerous hours of their time to make this organization the best in the KIJHL. Not only are we dedicated to helping our players be winners on the ice, even more important is helping them become winners off the ice and in the community. It takes a full team effort to be the best and I could not accomplish this without my amazing staff of coaches and trainers. Go Riders Go!!! Craig Mohr Head Coach/GM
Have
Rider’s get new assistant coach
Pascal Morency, Assistant Coach
Pascal had visited here before so was familiar with the area and town but more importantly his girlfriend Melanie Jolicoeur was recruited by The Castle Movement, 441 1st avenue, where she will be teaching dance classes. Jolicoeur owned a successful Dance School for 10 years and performed and taught dance internationally until she got injured. Dancers can follow Melanie on Twitter @JolicoeurMel and players can follow Pascal on Twitter @morency_p
a FANTASTIC
SEASON
Perfect for before and after the game. 1641 7th Avenue • Fernie 250-423-6522 OPEN 7 DAYS • 9 am to 11 pm
Giv’er, Riders!
’
Have an Awesome 2015/2016 Season!
WHY BANK WHEN YOU CAN CREDIT UNION? EKCCU.COM
CRANBROOK • ELKFORD • FERNIE • SPARWOOD
C4 THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
Meet the 2015/2016
FERNIE GHOSTRIDERS
Position: Defence Hometown: Galloway, BC Height: 5’9” Weight: 185 lbs Birth Year: 1995
15 TYLER CARRON
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1997
JEFF ORSER
Position: Goalie Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’11” Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1995
7
6
5 TRAVIS THOMSEN
1
KYLE HAUGO
Position: Defence Hometown: Elkford, BC Height: 6’1” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1998
17 MITCHELL TITUS
Position: Forward Hometown: Fruitvale, BC Height: 5’7” Weight: 150 lbs Birth Year: 1997
25 COLE KEEBLER
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1995
DAN BURGESS
Position: Defence Hometown: Jaffray, BC Height: 6’3” Weight: 215 lbs Birth Year: 1996
18 SPENCER BENDER
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’ Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1995
26 TAYLER SINCENNES
Position: Forward Hometown: Red Deer, AB Height: 6’0” Weight: 185 lbs Birth Year: 1996
8 RYAN TESLUK
Position: Defence Hometown: Cranbrook, BC Height: 6’ Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1998
20 TREVOR BROAD
Position: Defence Hometown: Sparwood,BC Height: 6’ Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1998
27 MACK DIFFERENZ
Position: Forward Hometown: Red Deer, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1997
2 BEN SHUSHKOUSKY Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’ Weight: 175 lbs Birth Year: 1997
9 JACEN RICHARDS
Position: Forward Hometown: Sparwood, BC Height: 6’1” Weight: 175 lbs Birth Year: 1998
21 JUSTIN PEERS
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 185 lbs Birth Year: 1996
28 LANE SIM
Position: Forward Hometown: Red Deer, AB Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1997
10 EVAN REID
Position: Forward, Defence Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1996
22 AIDAN WILSON
Position: Forward Hometown: High River, AB Height: 5’8” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1997
30 BRANDON BUTLER
Position: Goalie Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1996
3 KEVIN PIERCE
Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’2” Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1998
13 RYAN KENNEDY
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 170 lbs Birth Year: 1997
23 DALTON BOUVIER
Position: Forward Hometown: Sparwood, BC Height: 6’2” Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1998
31 SAWYER WARD
Position: Goalie Hometown: Fernie, BC Height: 6’1” Weight: 215 lbs Birth Year: 1997
4 KEAGAN KINGWELL
Position: Defence Hometown: Red Deer, AB Height: 5’9” Weight: 165 lbs Birth Year: 1997
14 ZACH BEFUS
Position: Forward Hometown: Calgary, AB Height: 6’1” Weight: 180 lbs Birth Year: 1996
24 DUSTIN WATT
Position: Defence Hometown: Kamloops, BC Height: 5’10” Weight: 200 lbs Birth Year: 1995
C5
C6 THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
MEET THE GHOSTRIDERS
Cole Keebler is the new Ghostrider’s captain
V
eteran Ghostrider forward Cole Keebler will see a new addition to his jersey this year, as the ‘C’ will be sewen to it. The 19-year-old player has been with the Ghostriders for three years, and is excited to take on the position of captain for his last year in the league. “It’s really exciting to be named captain. When I got the call from [Head Coach Craig] Mohr it brightened up my whole summer. It really put a stamp on coming back and leading the team. It’s a pretty big honour to be captain here,” Keebler said. Originally from Calgary, Keebler and Mohr knew each other before the Ghostriders. “I coached Cole when he was 14 in Calgary, so I know him pretty well,” said Mohr. “I like Cole’s demeanour. Kind of like Dylan Robertson last year, he’s very mature, he’s got a good demeanour in the room of, he doesn’t freak out, he’s an extremely hard worker. I think being here three years and learning from the guys who were captains before him is going to be very beneficial.” Keebler showed the initiative of a leader
Cole Keebler, Ghostrider Team Captain before he learned that he was captain by introducing himself to new Ghostriders
Ghostrider
League:
FACTS
Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
Conference: Kootenay 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
throughout the summer. “I did all of that just to show [Mohr] that I can be a leader and show him that I did want to have that captain honour.” Keebler says that even though the season has just begun, he feels like the team is creating synergy, and will play well together. “Already, in pre season, we have chemistry throughout the team where everybody is warming up to each other so it looks like its going to be another tightknit team which only leads to success on the ice if we are all on the same page. With the pieces we have right now, we will be able to mesh together and bring some wins.” This is Keebler’s last year in the league, as he will be too old to play in the Junior B division next year, so he plans to make the most of the year and the opportunity to lead the team. “This will be my third year here, but I haven’t had many games, the first year was cut short. But this is my 20-yearold year so this will be my last one. It is huge and I knew coming into it I had the
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
• 2000:
Ghostriders win 2000 AWHL championship; appeared in Gold Cup National Championship
• 2003:
Ghostriders receive bronze medal in US Junior National Gold Cup
• 2003/04: Ghostriders play in the North American Hockey League • 2004:
Ghostriders move to junior ‘B’ Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
• 2006:
Ghostriders win division; place third overall in the KIJHL
• 2007:
Ghostriders win division then become overall KIJHL Champions
• 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 head coach and general manager; Dylan Robertson named as captain
• 2015:
Cole Keebler named as captain New Assistant Coach, Pascal Morency
SCORE!
Go Riders...have a Great 2015-2016 Season
FERNIE AUTO PARTS #2 Manitou Road • 250-423-4627
opportunity to be captain, so throughout the summer I talked to Mohr a bunch saying that I wanted to be captain and that I have the chops to lead this team.” Mohr agreed, citing that Keebler seized the opportunity to learn from previous captains. “I think he got a benefit last year in terms that we had an incredible leadership group and I think when you’re around that, you can build off of it,” said Mohr. “Again, we are going to have a great leadership group.” One constant that has remained throughout Keebler’s Ghostrider career is the community support that surrounds the Ghostriders. “I know ever since I started playing with the Ghostriders, the town support is unbelievable and I think we appreciate everything they do for us. We try to volunteer as much as we can to show our support back. We just want to bring entertainment to them as well,” said the new captain. “Hopefully we can do that again this year and hopefully bring back a championship.”
from Mark and staff at
Good Luck Fernie Ghostriders Tuesday through Saturday
Proudly serving the Elk Valley for 89 Years
290 5th St, Fernie, BC 250-423-4212
WEEKLY SANDWICH SPECIAL *Single or * Combo
THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
C7
2015 Ford F-350
(may not be exactly as shown)
for the
Upcoming Ghostrider Season sponsored by Fernie Ford Looking for a vehicle that can handle city traffic during the week and traverse all terrains on the weekend? Say no more. Come to Fernie Ford to meet your home town team of vehicle specialists.
Where Quality and Service Meet Without Compromise Free Shuttle Service
New extended hours to serve you better. Monday - Thursday till 7 pm Friday till 6 pm And Saturday till 5 pm
Associated with Legacy Auto Group
250-423-9211
www.fernieford.ca
Three locations to service your car, truck or fleet vehicle. Fernie Ford, Fernie Ford/Legacy Fleet Services – Sparwood, Fernie Ford/Legacy Fleet Services – Elkford
C8
THE FREE PRESS, September 24, 2015
RADIO
broadcast live on
Fernie 2015 - 2016 Regular Season Schedule SA 26-Sep 7:30P MST 100 Mile House Wranglers VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 2-Oct 7:30P MST Fernie VS. Columbia Valley Rockies Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena SA 3-Oct 7:30P MST Revelstoke Grizzlies VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 9-Oct 7:30P MST Grand Forks Border Bruins VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 10-Oct 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Golden Rockets Golden Arena SU 11-Oct 7:30P MST Golden Rockets VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 16-Oct 7:30P MST Creston Valley Thunder Cats VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 17-Oct 7:30P PST Fernie VS. Creston Valley Thunder Cats Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena FR 23-Oct 7:30P MST Chase Heat VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SU 25-Oct 1:00P MST Fernie VS. Columbia Valley Rockies Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena FR 30-Oct 7:00P PST Fernie VS. Kamloops Storm Kamloops - McArthur Park Arena SA 31-Oct 7:00P PST Fernie VS. 100 Mile House Wranglers 100 Mile House - South Cariboo Rec Center
SU 1-Nov 2:00P PST Fernie VS. Chase Heat Chase - Art Holding Memorial Arena FR 6-Nov 7:30P MST Kimberley Dynamiters VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 7-Nov 7:30P MST Fernie VS. Columbia Valley Rockies Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena TU 10-Nov 7:30P MST Golden Rockets VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 13-Nov 7:30P MST Columbia Valley Rockies VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 14-Nov 7:30P MST Kamloops Storm VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 20-Nov 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Kimberley Dynamiters Kimberley Civic Centre SA 21-Nov 7:30P MST Sicamous Eagles VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 27-Nov 7:00P PST Fernie VS. Sicamous Eagles Sicamous & District Recreation Centre SA 28-Nov 7:00P PST Fernie VS. Revelstoke Grizzlies Revelstoke Forum FR 4-Dec 7:30P MST Fernie VS. Columbia Valley Rockies Invermere - Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena SA 5-Dec 7:30P MST Castlegar Rebels VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
Wishing the Ghostriders every success in the 2015-2016 season!
FR 11-Dec 7:30P MST Spokane Braves VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 12-Dec 7:30P MST Golden Rockets VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena TH 17-Dec 7:30P MST Creston Valley Thunder Cats VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 19-Dec 7:30P MST Beaver Valley Nitehawks VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena MO 28-Dec 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Kimberley Dynamiters Kimberley Civic Centre TU 29-Dec 7:30P MST Kimberley Dynamiters VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena TH 31-Dec 7:30P PST Fernie VS. Creston Valley Thunder Cats Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena SA 2-Jan 7:30P MST Creston Valley Thunder Cats VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 8-Jan 7:30P MST Columbia Valley Rockies VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 9-Jan 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Golden Rockets Golden Arena FR 15-Jan 7:30P MST Nelson Leafs VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 16-Jan 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Golden Rockets Golden Arena
FR 22-Jan 7:00P PST Fernie VS. Spokane Braves Spokane - Eagles Ice-A-Rena SA 23-Jan 7:00P PST Fernie VS. Grand Forks Border Bruins Grand Forks Arena FR 29-Jan 7:30P MST Columbia Valley Rockies VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 30-Jan 7:30P PST Fernie VS. Creston Valley Thunder Cats Creston - Johnny Bucyk Arena FR 5-Feb 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Kimberley Dynamiters Kimberley Civic Centre SA 6-Feb 7:30P MST Creston Valley Thunder Cats VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena MO 8-Feb 2:00P MST Kimberley Dynamiters VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 12-Feb 7:30P MST Columbia Valley Rockies VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena SA 13-Feb 7:00P MST Fernie VS. Kimberley Dynamiters Kimberley Civic Centre SU 14-Feb 7:30P MST Golden Rockets VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena FR 19-Feb 7:30P PST Fernie VS. Beaver Valley Nitehawks Fruitvale - Beaver Valley Arena SA 20-Feb 7:30P MST Kimberley Dynamiters VS. Fernie Fernie Memorial Arena
City Hall 501-3rd Ave., Box 190 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 www.fernie.ca
All the Best in the 2015/16 Season Welcome to all the new Ghostrider team members
A proud sponsor of the Fernie Ghostriders
THE FREE PRESS