The Kamloops Storm begin their Junior B season Friday night at home against Chase. No fans will be allowed at McArthur Island (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

SEASON OPENER

‘We’re pretty lucky’: Storm players realize how fortunate they are to start season while other leagues delayed

Nov 13, 2020 | 10:17 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Storm are set to embark on one of the most unique seasons in KIJHL history, and the players and coaches know full-well how fortunate they are to be playing so early — the first major sports league in Kamloops to start competitive play.

“Seems like it is pretty unique right now for us to be going,” said second-year Storm head coach Steve Gainey. “People are asking around the city, ‘Are you guys playing or what?’ We are , so we’re excited.”

First-year Storm forward Devin Benson added, “It’s definitely a relief. Watching the other leagues having some struggles getting some things together. It’s nice to know that we’ll be starting here.”

“I think a lot of guys in the room know that we’re pretty lucky to still be playing right now and get to start as early as we are,” said Storm forward Harrison Ewert. “There are other leagues that still haven’t started and don’t know if they are going to start, so I think we’re pretty lucky.”

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

14h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

20h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

The Storm start the season Friday in a three-team cohort, including the North Okanagan Knights and Chase Heat, who they host at McArthur Island. There are no fans allowed in the building, but the team is prepared for the change.

“No fans in the building, so we’re going to have to generate our own energy,” said Gainey.

Ewert added, “We’re just got to be louder on the bench because there are no fans. We’ve got to get ourselves hyped up without the fans there, so I think it’ll be good. We know people are watching online.”

The game will be available online on Hockey TV. With GM Matt Kolle providing a lot of ice times for the players, who’ve been skating with a group of local WHL guys like Logan Stankoven, the team feels like it’s more prepared than most for the season.

“Matt’s done a great job there. There’s no questions our guys are getting a really high-end opportunity to spend time with really good players,” noted Gainey. “You learn by osmosis just by watching and picking up the little tricks that guys are doing, so we’ve had a really unusual start to the season. We think it’ll put us in a good spot.”

As for the squad on the ice, there is excitement about the strides this young group has made, hoping to improve on three straight fourth-place finishes. The team feels it’s at a deeper line-up and more speed and skill.

“We have a good team all around. We really do. We’re in a good place in that sense. We’ve got to play the season now. On paper, it looks nice, but overall we’ve got to go do the job, go win those games, the tight games down the stretch, and all the details that go into winning a championship. We’re real happy with our group in a lot of areas right now.”