With puck drop on the 2025-26 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season coming on Sept. 19, kijhl.ca is providing fans with a preview on all 21 teams. Next in the Quick Shift series are the Chase Heat.
The Heat finished fifth in the Doug Birks division last season with a record of 12-29-2-1, missing the playoffs. They head into this season with Nick Deschenes as their new head coach-general manager, and he’s excited and knows there is work ahead.
“We’re a bit of underdogs this year, but we’re going to embrace that and do our best to be competitive,” he said.
Returning Players: F- Malcolm Anderson (44-11-11-22), Jace Koskimaki (36-5-5-10), Nolan Struik (34-3-3-6), Thayer Banbury (36-0-4-4), D- Graham Willey (43-7-9-16), Shawn Minnabarriet (33-0-2-2), G-Stanislav Stefaniv (2 GP | 5.82 GAA | .879 SP).
Acquisitions: Jake Bishop (via trade from Merritt Centennials – 30-1-4-5), Torren Patten (via trade from the Centennials – Lloydminsters U18 – JPHL – 27-7-3-10).
Rookies: F – Jaxon Williams – Thompson Blazers U17AAA (34-6-9-15), Shiva Singh – Langley Hockey Academy U18 – CSSHL (29-14-15-29), Mario Reda – Okanagan Rockets U17AAA (33-13-21-34), D – Eric Gawley – NWCAA Stamps U18 AA (28-1-10-11), Garrett Risler – Camrose Vikings U18AA (31-11-25-36), G-Anton Palmquist – HC Edmonton U18 (16 GP | 9-4-0 | 2.66 GAA | .889)
Team Outlook: With a small returning group, there’s excitement about building forward. Deschenes sees it as a new opportunity to shape the team.
“These returning players have a big part to play in that,” said Deschenes.
Among them is Anderson.
“He’s like an old-school power-forward,” said Deschenes. “He is very straight lined, aggressive and uses his size and speed to his advantage, and can put the puck in the net.”
Deschenes added he’s the ideal player to build around and brings all the elements to the table. Another player added for experience is Bishop, who started his junior career with the Heat.
Deschenes believes that Stefaniv (5-9, 165-pounds), and Palmquist (6-6, 182-pounds) will be key to their success. Stefaniv spent the summer in Chase, working hard in the gym.
“He takes care of himself and is fanatical when it comes to details,” said Deschenes. “He wants to get better and is a great team guy. He has really done the right things this year to prove that he earned a second opportunity to be that guy this year.”
Deschenes said their motto this season is simple is fast with how they play.
“We’re going to need to play a simple game, and I think that will bring us success,” he said. “Grow it from there.”
