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 Kelowna Chiefs.
The Chiefs finished last season fifth in the Bill Ohlhausen division with a record of 19-21-3-0 for 42 points. They missed the playoffs by eight points. This season they look to qualify with new head coach-general manager Rylan Ferster.
It’s not the first time Ferster has been hired late into an off-season – it’s happened twice before with the West Kelowna Warriors and Victoria Grizzlies, who he joined for a second stint in 2022-23.
“It’s drinking through a fire hose,” joked Ferster, when it comes to learning about his roster.
He won’t have to worry about who his No.1 goalie is. That’s Michael Makowsky. After making his first start with the Chiefs early in 2025, the Okotoks, Alta., native went 9-4 in 13 GP, posting a 3.24 goals against average and .912 save percentage. Makowsky represented the KIJHL in the BCHC Prospects Game last November when he was with the Sicamous Eagles.
“What I was told is he was pretty good for them down the stretch,” said Ferster of Makowsky.
When it comes to the backup goalie, Ferster likes someone who is calm.
“I don’t think you can play that position on emotion. You need to give us a chance to win,” said Ferster. “They need to have that belief. Almost like the Grant Fuhr era, he always gave the Oilers a chance to win.”
Returning Players: F-Aiden Morcom (39-22-29-51), Owen Ivanov (42-17-26-43), Owen Miller (41-18-19-37), Jonah Kaiser (36-6-14-20), Kaiden Sydenham (38-5-7-12), Spencer Fowle (33-2-1-3) D- Jake Kessler (44-5-17-22), Sam Dal Cin (37-3-11-14), Gairen Bona (33-4-12-16), G-Michael Makowsky (27-14-6-3, 2.92 GAA | .915 SP).
Acquisitions: F- Everett Boutcher (via trade from Sicamous Eagles – 34-8-16-24), Rylan Konescni (via trade from Nelson Leafs – 35-4-16-20), Matthew Balderston (via trade from 100 Mile House Wranglers – 37-14-11-25), D- Evan Murray (via trade from the Golden Rockets – 36-6-27-33), Hunter Fuoco (via trade from Eagles – 27-5-8-13).
Rookies: F- Phinneas Bermel – Okanagan Rockets U17AAA (30-11-21-32), Nicholas Correnti – Arizona Bobcats U18AA (16-13-15-28), Brenden Stirbu – Phoenix Jr. Coyotes U18AAA (40-17-23-40), Samuel Dubchak – Calgary Royals U18AAA (36-15-15-29), Carter Ponte – Okanagan Rockets U17AAA (36-16-36-52), Nash Walters – Okanagan HC U18 (9-0-6-6), D-Reid Bell – Calgary Royals U18AA (30-6-11-17), Seth Debruin – Okanagan Rockets U17AAA (32-2-6-8), G- Ryder Hunt – Grande Peace Storm U18AAA (27-8-15-2, 4.55 GAA | .879 SP.)
Team Outlook: Ferster credited Mark Readman, Director of Scouting, for bringing in the quality of players he has.
“He has done a fantastic job of identifying what the team needed,” said Ferster.
Through his connections, Ferster brought in Correnti and Stirbu. Correnti captained his team and plays a hard, complete game with skill. Stirbu brings size at 6-2, 195-pounds and has good skill and can shoot.
Ferster likes their forward depth and noted that Morcom and Ivanov have been really good during camp.
“They’re going to need to be leaders for us, Miller as well,” said Ferster. “Those are three guys we are going to lean on a lot obviously, as well as Konecsni.”
Konecsni was an early off-season addition as the Kelowna native was picked up from the Nelson Leafs on June 4. In 74 career KIJHL regular season games, the 5-9, 150-pound forward has 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points.
