Revelstoke Grizzlies goalie Austin Seibel is coming off posting two straight shutout performances, which earned him KIJHL Team of the Week honours. In his last 13 games, the Coldstream, B.C. native has 11 wins with three shutouts for a 2.29 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.
Seibel, who recently reached a milestone of playing in 100 career Junior A hockey games, spoke to the KIJHL about his season.
KIJHL: How do you feel you’ve been playing lately?
Seibel: I’ve been playing great. I’ve been having a lot of success here in Revelstoke and I’m happy with how the team’s playing. It’s going really well.
KIJHL: What is it like playing behind the group that you are?
Seibel: It’s great. All my junior career, I’ve kind of been on middle-of-the-pack teams so it’s awesome to experience being on a dominant team. I have a lot of trust in the guys and they have a lot of trust in me.
KIJHL: Coming to Revelstoke, what did you want to accomplish and how does that play into your future?
Seibel: I just wanted to have a successful season and I knew coming to Revelstoke I’d have a good chance at winning a championship. We’ve set ourselves up well to hopefully do that. It’s about winning and playing good hockey, and hopefully that helps set me up to play at the college or university level in the future.
KIJHL: How have you grown in your position this season?
Seibel: When I compare it to my first year in the league, I’m a lot more confident and know who I am – know what I’m capable of. Being consistent every day and knowing what I bring is important and my goal is to give my team a chance to win every night. (Note: after starting the season 0-4, Seibel has 19 wins, two losses and an overtime loss with a 2.12 GAA and a .935 SP.)
KIJHL: You recently played your 100th career junior game. Is that something you’ve reflected on?
Seibel: It’s pretty cool to reach that. Not a lot of goalies get to play that many games. It’s special to have that experience and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. (Note: Seibel has won 55 career games – 35 are in the KIJHL in 55 games).
KIJHL: What do you do well that gives your team a chance to win every night?
Seibel: It’s staying calm and cool. If we get scored on or something doesn’t go our way I try not to let it tear us down. Guys will chirp and stuff, but I’d rather focus on winning and not let distractions get to me. I try to bring that calm demeanor and lead by example.
Jiri Novak – Grizzlies head coach
KIJHL: How do you feel he is playing as the team gets ready for the playoffs?
Novak: He’s been steady and gives us a chance to win every night, managing his game well, and staying composed as things ramp up.
KIJHL: In terms of his ability, what has the staff focused on to help him continue developing?
Novak: We’ve focused on consistency, positioning, and reads. The staff has worked with him on details and preparation, and he’s bought into it.
Shiva Singh of the Chase Heat is currently on a six-game goal scoring streak with seven goals. He’s 10th among KIJHL rookies in points-per-game averaging 1.06 with 38 points in 36 games. His 17 goals ranks him 10th among all first-year players and the Surrey native has been involved in 33 per cent of the Heat’s 115 goals.
KIJHL: How do you feel you’ve been playing of late?
Singh: I’ve been doing well producing, and taking care of my own zone. My linemates (Kaden Skrenek and Malcolm Anderson) and I have been working well together recently, so it’s helping me put the puck in the net.
KIJHL: Why do the three of you work well together?
Singh: We all battle in the corners and find the open guy – working hard, and we have good chemistry. It seems like everything is clicking now as we’re finding each other really well. (Heat head coach-GM Nick Deschenes said they are all contributing to each other’s success.)
KIJHL: Since the beginning of the season, where do you think you’ve improved most?
Singh: In my own zone. I’ve been getting pucks out and bouncing around between centre and winger, so I’m adapting to different positions to play a 200-foot game. My shot has gotten more accurate too — and just producing. I’ve also learned a lot about being more of a team guy.
KIJHL: How has the coaching staff helped with your growth?
Singh: Nick does a lot of video, so there’s a lot of feedback, which is really good. They help me see what I need to get better at and they’re always encouraging us to improve.
KIJHL: In terms of his ability, what has the staff focused on to help him continue developing?
Deschenes: He’s a dynamic player with the puck. The focus for him is to be better without the puck and use his teammates.
Braves retiring Derek Ryan’s jersey Saturday
The Spokane Braves are officially retiring Derek Ryan’s number 10 tomorrow. Ryan will be on hand during the pregame ceremony to be recognized as the first person in franchise history to have their number retired.
“We are proud to honor Derek with the retirement of his jersey,” said team president Bob Tobiason. “Derek is the kind of player that young kids should look up to. He always had a goal in mind and played hard to meet those goals. He has always remembered where he came from and has always been a supporter of the Braves.”
Ryan is listed on the Braves’ website as part of their staff as a pro hockey consultant.
He played for the Braves from 2002-2004 before moving up to the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. After completing his junior eligibility, Ryan used his WHL scholarship to attend and play for the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Upon his graduation, Ryan took his game overseas for four seasons in Europe, including stops in Hungary, Austria, and Sweden.
In the summer of 2015, the NHL came calling as the Carolina Hurricanes signed Ryan to a two-way contract. Towards the end of his first pro season, Ryan would make his NHL debut with the Hurricanes at age 29. Ryan went on to play over 600 games in the NHL with the Hurricanes, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.
Rockies alum Asmundson to join University of Regina
University of Regina men’s hockey head coach Trevor Keeper announced the commitment of Noah Asmundson to the Cougars for the 2026-27 season.
Asmundson, a centre from White City, Sask., currently plays for the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL and has recorded 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 41 games this season. Asmundson split the 2023-24 campaign between the Humboldt Broncos and the Niverville Nighthawks before averaging nearly a point-per-game (35 points in 39 games) as a 19-year-old last year with the Rockies.
Asmundson also has a family connection to the program as his father, Travis Asmundson, played for the Cougars during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
“Noah is a big power forward who’s having a breakout season with Estevan,” Keeper said. “He combines size, scoring touch, and team-first character and we’re excited to get him on campus and see him continue to develop at the Canada West level.”
