We begin this KIJHL Notebook by congratulating 100 Mile House Wranglers defenceman Landen Janz on reaching 150 career regular season games played. The Lake Country product began his Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) career in 2021-22 playing with the North Okanagan Knights (44 GP). The 5-11, 170-pound defenceman has also played for the Sicamous Eagles (59 GP) before joining the Wranglers last season. Janz enjoyed a breakout offensive season with the Wranglers with eight goals and 31 points in 42 games.
JP Desabrais doesn’t spend much time looking at his stats.
The Red Earth Creek, Alta., product reached the 100-point milestone in his second game of the season with the Williams Lake Mustangs. He knew it was coming, but it wasn’t top of mind.
“If I’m being completely honest, I forgot I was going for 100 points and didn’t realize until the day after,” he says. “I was grateful to hit it—it’s cool to see I’ve been in the league three years now.”
Instead, Desabrais is focused on improving every part of his game. He credits his strong start to the off-season work he put in while staying in Williams Lake.
“I put a lot of effort into my cardio—I dropped 15 pounds, so I’m a little quicker. I really focused on my speed,” he says. “I did a lot of compete drills—2-on-2s, 3-on-3 battle drills—which helped my decision-making and in-tight play. As the season goes, I hope that part of my game and the mental side keep developing.”
At practice, Desabrais makes it a point to move his feet and get quality shots off.
“I love shooting the puck, and if I’m skating my best in practice during the week, it should translate to games.”
Lately Desabrais has played with Kaelen Swanson and newcomer Blake Collison.
“They’re both really good players,” he says.
Desabrais has set high personal goals—ones he prefers to keep to himself—but he’s confident in the group around him.
“I know what I see for myself, and I believe what we want as a team will come together,” he says. “It just takes time and effort.”
He leads by example, working hard daily to be his best on and off the ice. In games, he’s focused on winning his first shift.
“If I can set a good example for the younger guys, it’ll carry through the season and help the Mustangs’ future.”
With six goals and nine points in six games, Desabrais calls it a “decent start.”
“There’s always room to improve. I can be faster, a better team guy, and stronger defensively,” he says. “I like to think I’m a good 200-foot player, but it hasn’t been prominent lately—that’s an area I need to tighten up.”
Desabrais loves being a Mustang and appreciates the environment in Williams Lake.
“We have great support staff, good coaches, and honestly, this is just a great organization to be part of,” he says.
Thunder Cats’ Isbister racking up points with confidence
Keethan Isbister thought he was done with hockey.
After putting up 77 points in 40 Prairie Junior Hockey League games for the Prince Albert Timberjaks last season — earning Top Forward and Most Valuable Player honours — the Prince Albert native planned to head to school and start the next chapter of his life.
Then things changed.
He decided to join the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
“We presented Keethan with an opportunity to further his hockey career and experience living in B.C. for a year,” says Thunder Cats head coach and general manager Geordie Wudrick. “He was excited for a year of on-ice and off-ice development as a hockey player and young man.”
The 6-foot-2, 172-pound forward was among the players the Thunder Cats worked hard to recruit during the off-season.
So far, Isbister — the grandson of the late Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous players to reach the NHL — has enjoyed his time in the KIJHL.
“It’s high-paced and very underrated,” he says.
Confident in his skills, Isbister feels the Thunder Cats are trending in the right direction under Wudrick’s leadership.
He describes himself as an offensive centre who can create chances both for himself and his linemates. He has six goals and 12 points in six games heading into this weekend.
“I’m very patient with the puck. I’m an offensive threat if I get the puck in the zone,” he says. “I take it shift by shift, and usually good things come out of it.”
With each game and practice, his confidence continues to build — and he’s aiming to produce at a point-per-game pace or better.
“Keethan is playing very well,” says Wudrick. “He’s had great offensive success the past two years in Saskatchewan, and his game seems to be translating well at the KIJHL level. He has great patience with the puck, excellent vision to set up linemates, and a deadly release around the net. I’m excited to see what he can accomplish this year and in the future at the university or college level.”
Along with helping the Thunder Cats make a deep playoff run, Isbister hopes to earn a spot with a U SPORTS program down the road.
“I’m trying to get better on the defensive side — just making the right small plays and being in the right spots,” he says. “We have a great head coach and a good organization. It’s really advanced my game.”
Thunder Cats introduce new third jerseys
On Thursday, the Thunder Cats unveiled their new third jerseys on social media. Wudrick said the community and players love them.
Short-handed goals
Nine KIJHL teams have been able to capitalize short-handed this season – scoring 16 times. Those goals have been scored by 16 players. Leading the way are the Quesnel River Rush and Columbia Valley Rockies with three goals each. Kimberley, Grand Forks and Revelstoke are all tied with two short-handed goals. Last season teams combined to score 125 times short-handed.
Border Bruins get roster boost
The defending KIJHL champion Grand Forks Border Bruins announced on Thursday the returns of defenceman Ben Edwards from the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers, and forward Ryker Rougeau from the WHL’s Tri-City Americans.
Both were key pieces to their championship run. Edwards had seven points in 16 playoff games, while Rougeau had seven points in 17 games.
