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By KIJHL Communications
KIJHL

KIJHL Knights have blend of returning and incoming players

Nov 5, 2020 | 11:41 AM

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.

The North Okanagan 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.

The off-season goal of the Armstrong-based team was on putting together the right group to play as a team.

“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.

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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, Brian Brew and Owen Spannier,” says McAmmond, as Spannier was picked up in a trade from the Sicamous Eagles. “These boys will be a big part of our group leadership.”

McAmmond, a former NHL forward who played for nine teams from 1992 to 2010, would like his team to play a puck-moving game where the whole team is needed for success.

by KIJHL Communications
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