The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League 2021-22 season begins Oct. 1. Leading into the season we are providing previews on each of the teams.
Next up are the Osoyoos Coyotes in the Bill Ohlhausen Division. Coyotes coach Carter Rigby heads into his first full season after guiding the club to a win in three games prior to cancellation of the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19.
Key Returnees:
F- Levi Carter, Jack Henderson, Crae Dawson, Ethan O’Rourke; D- Evan Dean.
As a rookie, Carter led the Coyotes with five goals and six points in three games. Those totals also had him fourth overall in KIJHL scoring. He also played 12 games with the Penticton Vees, collecting four assists. O’Rourke was third in scoring with four assists in three games, while Dawson had three points in as many games and Henderson had two goals. Dawson played 11 games with the Vees, collecting two points. Dean is listed at six-foot-two, 195 pounds and saw action in three games.
Rookies to Watch:
F- Ethan McKinley; D- Johnny Jenkinson, Levi Brewer.
F- McKinley, 19, played last season with the North Edmonton Red Wings in the Capital Junior Hockey League and had three assists in four games.
D- Jenkinson, 19, was a teammate of McKinley’s with the CapJHL’s Red Wings and had two points in four games.
D- Brewer, 18, played for the West Central Rage in the PJHL, seeing action in four games. Rigby says he and Jenkinson are great additions to the defence.
Season Outlook:
“We will be icing a younger squad, but there is a lot of skill up front,” says Rigby. “We will have great goaltending and a D-core that can skate and make plays with the puck. We want to be a fast-paced team that moves the puck up ice. We are going to be a tough team that has each other’s back – a team-first mentality. That is how you form those strong bonds and I don’t want them to back down from anything.”
Coach’s Quote:
“The younger players are sometimes easier to coach and you get more out of them,” says Rigby. “They’re here for the right reasons, and I want to be known for helping move kids onto the next level. I’m very excited to get back to a normal hockey season. The past two years have been tough on these kids and hopefully we’re all set and ready for normal hockey. We have put a lot of effort into our program these past two years and we’re excited to see where we stand.”
Players Advancing:
Seth Kriese – Okanagan Lakers- B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League
Jordan Berschiminsky – Dakota College at Bottineau – American Collegiate Hockey Association II
