Team game key to Knights

Bryan Brew of Armstrong scored seven goals in 43 games last season for the Knights. AE Images photos

Leading up to the start of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s 2020-21 season, which starts Nov. 13, 2020, the league is publishing team previews.

These stories will highlight areas of focus for the respective organizations as well as players. We last featured the Nelson Leafs and now shift to the Bill Ohlhausen Division to highlight the North Okanagan Knights.

The Knights finished 18th in the KIJHL’s regular season standings with 13 wins. They qualified for the Teck Cup playoffs, losing in five games to the Kelowna Chiefs. Their off-season focus was on putting together the right group to play as a team.

Below, Owen Spannier was acquired from the Sicamous Eagles. Dunsmoor Creative photo

“The focus has been finding players that will be able to increase our overall group based on skill and ones who we feel fit our model as an association,” says Knights head coach Dean McAmmond, who began an extended camp with practices in October for the majority of their group.

To keep the players motivated, McAmmond created internal competition to make practice enjoyable.

Incoming rookies:

Matthew Johnson, 16 – a minor midget player from the Thompson Blazers.

Devin Jameson, 16 – Thompson Blazers U18AAA

“Both players are local boys and have potential to keep climbing the junior ladder,” says McAmmond.

The Knights also signed goalies Cole Wilson and Jake Dubinsky.

Returning players:

“We have some good character depth coming back to our group – Nic Teale, Cade Enns (pictured at left),  Bryan Brew and Owen Spannier,” says McAmmond, as Spannier was picked up in a trade. “These boys will be a big part of our group leadership.”

McAmmond would like his team to play a puck-moving game where the whole team is needed for success.