Northwest Hockey talent to watch for in 2018-19

The hockey season has chipped some ice in locations across British Columbia and beyond over the first few weeks of September, as teams in small and large communities play temporary home for some of the talented players that once took to the ice across the Northwest.

For many their hockey days continue in the rinks of Canada's Junior hockey system with players from the Northwest filling out some roster spots in a number of new cities.

For Prince Rupert hockey fans there are two names to track through the 2018-19 junior season.

Reid Lindsay a defenceman takes to the blue line for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL this season.

In The Vancouver Island Hockey League, Lyndon Drummond who also is on defence takes to the ice for the Kerry Park Islanders.

One tier below Junior, Drew Fudger continues his on ice journey with the Major Midget Cariboo Cougars.

And while some Junior careers are just beginning, the five years of Junior play with the Osoyoos Coyotes came to an end last spring for Prince Rupert's Judd Repole. The popular captain of the Coyotes was celebrated earlier this year, with his jersey retired by the team as his playing days in the KIJHL came to an conclusion.

For hockey fans around the rest of the Northwest, there is no shortage  of players to watch the stats sheets for this season.

The largest volume of players from this region can be found in the Kootenay Junior League once again, followed by those playing in  the BCHL and VIJHL.

At the top tier of Junior hockey, there are two players with Northwest roots, Kitimat's Justin Almeida currently playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors and Houston's Josh Maser who is on the roster of the Prince George Cougars.

The list of Northwest players and links to all of the team stats pages can be found below:

Players from Prince Rupert


British Columbia Junior Hockey League

Victoria Grizzlies
Reid Lindsay, Defence

Grizzlies Stats Page


Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League

Kerry Park Islanders
Lyndon Drummond, Defence

Islanders Stats Page


Major Midget League

Cariboo Cougars
Brett Fudger, Forward

Cougars Stats Page


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Players From Terrace


Kootenay Junior League

Grand Forks Border Bruins
Giani Cormano, F  (Stats Page)


Osoyoos Coyotes
Nick Nordstron, D (Stats Page)
Brandon Onstein, RW (Stats Page)
Carter Shannon, RW (Stats Page)
Sam Reinbolt, C (Stats Page)


British Columbia Junior Hockey League

Cowichan Valley Capitals
Timber Lewis, D (Stats Page)

West Kelowna Warriors
Mason Richey, F (Stats Page)


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Players from Kitimat


Kootenay Junior League

Creston Valley ThunderCats
Jake McCulley, F (Stats Page)

Kamloops Storm
Adam Ferrera, D (Stats Page)

Sicamous Eagles
Jordan Sheasgreen, F (Stats Page)


Western Hockey League

Moose Jaw Warriors
Justin Almeida, F (Stats Page)

Playing at the top tier of Junior hockey in the south end of Saskatchewan, Kitimat's Justin Almeida is tagged as an elite player in the WHL this year as he settles in for season number two with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Acquired from the Prince George Cougars last year, the playmaking centre, who this past summer was drafted in the fifth round of the NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Returned to junior this year, Almeida is frequently in the discussion as a potential top five scoring leader in the WHL this season.


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Players from Smithers


Kootenay Junior League

100 Mile House Wranglers
Ethan Tucker, F (Stats Page)

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Players from Houston


Western Hockey League

Prince George Cougars
Josh Maser, LW (Stats Page)

Playing a little closer to his home than in previous years Maser will no doubt find more than a few familiar faces in the stands from Houston as the WHL season moves along.

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Players from Fraser Lake


Kootenay Junior League

100 Mile House Wranglers
Tristan Williams, F (Stats Page)


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Players from Hazelton


British Columbia Junior League

Merritt Centennials
Frazer Dodd,  F  (Stats Page)

Kootenay Junior League

Fernie Ghost Riders
Zak Larson, G (Stats Page)

100 Mile House Wranglers
Joel Patsey, D (Stats Page)
Liam Dodd, D (Stats Page)



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Players from Fort St James


Kootenay Junior League

Osoyoos Coyotes
Slade Desharnais, F (Stats Page)

North Okanagan Knights
Jett Saharchuk, C (Stats Page)


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Players from Vanderhoof

Kootenay Junior League

Beaver Valley NiteHawks

Simon Nemethy, F (Stats Page)

100 Mile House Wranglers 

Tate Page, D (Stats Page)

Kolby Page, F (Stats Page)

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The anchor page for this feature can be found on our Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Association archive page, the link to our PRMHA page is available here, as well as from our right hand column archives.

We will update the page regularly, should there be any need for additions or changes to be made during the course of the season.

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.