This season, Ethan Hofstrand isn’t just defending — he’s attacking. After an offseason focused on speed work, conditioning, and improving his stride, the 100 Mile House Wranglers blueliner has evolved into a true two-way presence in his fourth and final KIJHL season.
The Fort St. John native has three goals and seven points in 17 games and is +11 playing an average of 22:45 a game. His three goals equals his total from the 2023-24 season. In 124 career KIJHL games, Hofstrand has seven goals and 40 points.
Hofstrand and his coach Levi Stuart spoke to the KIJHL about his season for this week’s Notebook.
KIJHL: How has the season been going for you?
EH: It’s been pretty good. I’ve had a very good start compared to my past three seasons. It’s probably the most points I’ve put up.
KIJHL: What are some things you want to accomplish personally that also help the team?
EH: I want to be a good room guy, helping the boys out. I think it would go a long way in helping us try to win the championship.
KIJHL: What do you like about this group?
EH: We bring a lot of energy. We’re pretty close. We play a lot of video games together, chirp each other, it’s good. We always talk every day and hang out.
KIJHL: Are you related to Hudson Hofstrand?
EH: Yeah, he’s my cousin.
KIJHL: Had you two played together before?
EH: No. He’s played in California and then I got him to come try out here and he made the team.
KIJHL: What’s that experience been like being able to play with him?
EH: It’s pretty cool because over the past few years, I think we’ve only seen each other once every three years. We billet together too.
KIJHL: What kinds of things in practice or skill sessions have helped you that has translated into games?
EH: We start the week with battle drills. It’s always competitive. And we do video sessions with the coaches and learn about the other team to expose them.
KIJHL: In the time you’ve been coaching Ethan, what kind of growth or strides have you seen from him?
Levi Stuart: Tons. The biggest one is his literal stride. He’s really worked hard on lengthening it. He’s taken his cardio seriously and lost 15–20 pounds since I met him. He’s continued to work really hard to improve his foot speed and be in much better shape. That contributes to creating a little more offence and opening up more passing lanes for him.
KIJHL: Have you seen him become more of a two-way defenceman?
LS: Absolutely. Last year his role was definitely as a shut-down D-man and play every night against other teams’ top lines. And he’s still doing that, but the steps he’s taken and the poise he has – he knows the league so well that we’re able to use him on the power play. He’s being relied on more offensively.
KIJHL: He mentioned having interest in playing college hockey. Do you see him being able to play at that level?
LS: Absolutely. I’ve already had four or five schools reach out and it’s just going to come down to what he wants to do — what works best for him and his family. And he’s actually an incredible golfer – he might be a better golfer than a hockey player. He’s going to have scholarship opportunities for golf as well and it might be an option for him to go play both at college, which would be pretty cool.
Q: In practice, what do you encourage him to work on that translates to games?
A: Moving his feet is a big one — reminding him to skate and trust his skating. Before last year he was never really a guy who skated the puck. He was a chip-it-off-the-glass, chip-it-off-the-boards-and-out guy, which he’s still good at and we need at certain times. Moving his feet opens up space for him and passing lanes.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about him?
A: Ethan has been a great leader. Off the ice he really leads the ship, makes sure the boys are doing things the right way, getting together, and making sure everybody feels a part of the team.
Rockets’ Iron Shirt boosted by Giants call-up
Hayden Iron Shirt’s second WHL call up was a very positive experience. The former Lethbridge Hurricanes draft pick made his WHL debut with the Vancouver Giants on Nov. 7 and played well, earning a +1 rating.
Iron Shirt learned about taking care of his body and the small details in games.
“They said to work on my takeoff speed and get a little strength on my body. They see me as a full-time player next year,” says Iron Shirt, who has 14 points in 14 games for the Golden Rockets.
Iron Shirt had his playing rights picked up by the Giants shortly after Lethbridge released him. He played an exhibition game for Lethbridge, his hometown team, this season. The experience with the Giants gives 6-0, 140-pound forward confidence being back with Golden. Since his first game on Nov. 14, he has two goals and four points playing an average of 22:53 in three games.
Iron Shirt is enjoying his time with the Rockets, saying “everyone is welcoming.”
“I’m doing pretty well as a first-year, though I could do better in some games,” said Iron Shirt, who is a playmaker. “The organization is pretty good. It’s my first time in this league, it’s pretty good.”
Munro pacing KIJHL in goals
Creston Valley Thunder Cats forward Liam Munro was the first player in the league to hit 10 goals, doing so on Oct. 12. Now he’s the first 20-goal scorer. He reached the mark on Nov. 15 with a four-goal performance against Quesnel and was selected to the Team of the Week earlier this week. The offensive dynamo from Calgary is well on his way to surpassing his career high of 49 points last season in 42 games – this season he leads the KIJHL with 21 goals and 43 points in 18 games.
Storm’s Fyfe hits 10
Brenner Fyfe of the Kamloops Storm is the first goalie in the KIJHL to hit 10 wins and he’s reached it in 13 games. Last season the Lethbridge, Alta., native won 16 games – he played in 30. Brenner is currently on a four-game winning streak – the second time he has done that this season.
