Nelson Leafs 'can’t wait to get going' as KIJHL season kicks off
By Emanuel Sequeira KIJHL Director of Communications
On the eve of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season, head coach-general manager Briar McNaney said the Nelson Leafs just can’t wait to get going.
McNaney said in a KIJHL Quick Shift team preview, the Leafs are going to ice a strong team and “the buzz has never been louder.”
Coach McNaney spoke with Emanuel Sequeira of the KIJHL as the Green and White prepares to open the season Friday on the road against the Castlegar Rebels.
KIJHL: What should fans be excited about when it comes to this team?
BM: On and off the ice, fans can expect a well-rounded, good group of human beings who care about the community. We brought back the guys who wanted to be here, be in the community and the schools with the children, and wanted to be a Leaf. That’s something that I know a lot of our fans care about. We have 25 who are very excited to be wearing green and white and representing our community.
KIJHL: What areas are you looking to improve from last season?
BM: We always want to win a championship every year and feel we’re in that title contention this year. I think the second half of our year, if you looked at all of our statistics, we were a top-five team and we want to be even better than that finish.
We’re looking at things in several ways – one being different schedules off the ice, our approach as a coaching staff and organization, from a scientific approach with hydrating our players, the nutrition, and sleep schedules. We’re taking a strong off-ice approach to how we’re going to be tackling this season and taking care of these players. On the ice, we’ve switched up a couple of systems, however, defensively only one out of every 11 goals came from our defensive zone coverage last year. Many of our goals against were on the penalty kill and off the rush.
KIJHL:You added Rylan Konescni, what do you like about him that he will bring?
BM: Rylan is a pretty driven kid and excited to be a Leaf. He’s a highly skilled forward, who competes and does many things that guys might miss. The kid has an attitude out there in all the right ways and I feel like he has something to prove being on his third team now. He’s fitting in seamlessly.
KIJHL: Are there any returning players that you are expecting to have big seasons? Talk about what you are hoping to see from them.
BM: Ty Nykyforuk probably led the league in posts hit. We’re expecting a big year out of him. He has improved his game defensively throughout the pre-season and has become really detail-focused, which is a coach’s dream. Last season he had 28 points in 44 games.
Kane Kennedy finished the last half of the season as a point-per-game player. We’re expecting him to continue that production. He was third on the team with 30 points in 41 games.
Xaiden Bignell is a strong two-way player, who is physical and does a little bit of everything. He is starting to find his groove and details. He had 27 points in 36 games last season.
Caden Still – We’re very excited about the energy that he brings. He’s had a really good summer and feel he is gonna be able to start to produce offensively. Last season he had nine points in 34 games.
Leighton Partington, our captain, showed up in the best shape of his junior career. He has excelled as a leader on and off the ice. He had 21 points in 33 games last season.
I could go on about all the returning players.
KIJHL: Are there first-year players who are ready to make an immediate impact?
BM: Yes we do. I prefer not to say names because it’s unfair to throw those expectations on the players. They know they need to come in, be themselves and be very offensive production-wise and good in this league. They are going to be good two-way players.
KIJHL: When it comes to your leadership group, what are the important characteristics that you want each player to possess?
BM: We’re looking for No.1, they have to be proud to be a Nelson Leaf. Two, they need to be outstanding citizens and be overachievers. Leighton embodies all of that. We’re very blessed to have a lot of choices of strong leadership this year.
Nelson, finishing the exhibition season with a 2-4 record, face the Rebels in the home opener Saturday at the NDCC Arena.
Game time is 7 p.m.
