Injury-riddled Leafs return home to host Ghostriders
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Leafs training staff is being put to the test as the Murdoch Division leaders host the Fernie Ghostriders in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
The home game is the first since late October for the Green and White.
However, when the team takes to the ice, fans had better get a program as the Leafs lineup has been decimated with injuries, with no less than six roster players unavailable to dress against the Ghostriders.
“We are hoping that we can get some help from our affiliates but at this point we are not sure who is available,” said Leaf GM Lance Morey.
“(These injuries) does give our other players a chance to play more and make an impact,” Morey added.
Not able to play are:
- Caiden Kreitz — upper body, status undetermined
- Michael Lenoury — upper body, status week to week
- Kaleb Comishin — lower body, status week to week
- Dylan Rantucci — mono, status longterm
- Tyson Soobotin — upper body, status day to day
- Scott Lancaster — upper body, status 3-5 weeks
- Shawn Campbell – lower body injury, status unknown
To deal with the injuries and to bolster the roster, Leafs added goalie Hunter Young, undefeated on the recent road trip to Chase and 100 Mile House as well as defenceman Tulsen Fawcett.
Fawcett registered an assist on the trip.
The Leafs, unbeaten in two games, also added 6’3”, 190-pound forward Ryan Moon from Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BC Hockey League. In 14 games with the Junior A Club, Moon had three goals and four assists.
Nelson, 14-4-1-1, enters the weekend with a six-point lead over second place Beaver Valley Nitehawks. The Leafs travel to Spokane to face the third-place Braves Sunday to conclude the weekend.
Setting the Record Straight
Leafs GM Lance Morey wanted to confirm comments made in The Nelson Daily last week regarding the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
The Leaf GM was upset that former KIJHL coaches were poaching players from league.
Morey comments were not directed at the MHL but at the Aces and their coaches and not at the league as whole.”
“We are a development league and strive to promote our players to the next level but take exception to this being done under the table and not in a proper or respectful way,” he said.
Leafs sniper Piva off to Drayton Valley
Leafs leading scorer Ryan Piva has been released by Nelson to Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
In 17 games with Nelson, the Trail native had 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points.
Drayton Valley is seventh in the North Division of the AJHL with a 8-14-1 record.
