The Princeton Posse have a new voice behind the bench in Torrin White, but nothing has changed in terms of expectations. It’s about winning and in their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Quick Shift team preview, White says part of their success will be helping the players “learn how to manage those expectations and perform at a high level. They are a smart and mature enough group that that is going to come.”
KIJHL: What should fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
TW: It’s a team that wants to win and it’s very easy to see that. At the same time, it’s a group that has a lot of pressure, they are putting pressure on themselves, and we will have to manage that.
KIJHL: What areas are you looking to improve from last season?
TW: It’s tough to compare to last season, especially with how well the team did. For us, it’s the competition level during the regular season that is going to be a lot higher with the new division alignment, which I think is a good thing.
KIJHL: You added Brayden Sumner and Paul Vanden Elzen in a trade, what do you like about him that he will bring?
TW: I coached Brayden for a couple years at the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy in Medicine Hat and he brings a ton of energy, does things the right way every day. He will be a big part of our team with the way he conducts himself and what he brings on the ice with energy, speed, skill. He is a teammate that the guys respect a lot and a great guy to have around the dressing room. His experience of playing in the SJHL with Notre Dame and their Junior B team – the Regina Capitals – due to an injury at Christmas time, is good to have.
Vanden Elzen (2006 – Lethbridge Hurricanes U18AAA) He is a mobile defenceman, who plays a simple, hard game. He brings grit, which we may have been missing, but he is going to be a great player for us. He is a great, high character person that gets along well with his peers.
KIJHL: Are there any returning players that you are expecting to have big seasons? Talk about what you are hoping to see from them.
TW: Grady Sterling-Ponech and Tyson Horiachka. The No.1 thing that jumps out with both are their leadership qualities. How they have the respect and trust of the room is really important.
Sterling-Ponech can play big minutes offensively and defensively. I think his role will increase. He had nine points in 11 games after returning from the SJHL’s Weyburn Red Wings.
Horiachka is one of the best two-way forwards in the league. I expect him to take some huge steps offensively and be a big contributor, especially with some of the players he is going to be playing with. He was third on the team in points in 45 in 41 games.
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who are ready to make an immediate impact?
TW: Will Bell (2006 – SAHA U18 Prep) He had a great pre-season and has fit in nice. He has a lot of speed and skill, but also plays really hard and is someone that really makes a name for himself.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
TW: The biggest thing for those leadership qualities is to have a presence, whether it’s in the dressing room or on the ice, the bus, and in the community. If you have that presence and the respect and trust of your teammates, then whether it’s what you say or do, other players are going to get on board.
