Leafs open training camp on KIJHL season August 31
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Hockey fans looking to check out the Nelson Leafs this Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season can pretty much pick any Friday or Saturday from September to February to see the Green and White in action.
Those two days of the week offer the best choice as Nelson plays no less than 20 of the team’s 26 home games on Friday and Saturday — 10 on each day.
“I really like our schedule,” Leaf head coach Frank Maida told The Nelson Daily earlier this month.
“We only play two games at home to start the season (in September) so it will be good to get out on the road and have the boys bond as a team.”
Unlike last season when Nelson played 11 of its first 19 games at home — more than a third of the season in the first seven weeks — and nine games during the final three weeks of the regular campaign, the Leafs have a more balanced schedule.
Nelson opens the season in mid-September with a two-game, home-and-home series against rival Castlegar Rebels.
Leaf fans get a chance to see the defending KIJHL champion Beaver Valley Nitehawks Saturday, September 29 at the NDCC Arena.
Nelson has two mid-week games on Wednesday along with the traditional New Year’s Eve contest, this season against Beaver Valley. The other home games are on Sunday.
The Leafs open training camp on the upcoming season Friday, August 31 at the NDCC Arena for three days.
Maida expects approximately 30 players in camp.
Exhibition season opens for Nelson Tuesday, September 4 at home against Beaver Valley.
The Leafs have scheduled four pre-season games, two each against Castlegar and Beaver Valley.
ICE CHIPS: KIJHL training camps should fit in just fine now that the BCHL has moved up their schedule. Last year camps of both leagues were held as the same time, forcing KIJHL coaches to wait longer for Tier II cuts to fill our Junior B rosters. BCHL camps are currently running with the Tier II season opening September 8th, a full week ahead of the KIJHL. Trail plays four exhibition games — August 28 and 29 in the Silver City against Prince George and August 31 and September 1 against Merritt.
