Branden Toye from Kamloops celebrates one of two goals during his first BCHL game against Surrey on Sunday, April 4 (Image Credit: Garrett James Photography))

By Chad Klassen

BCHL SEASON

Quintet of former Kamloops Storm players thriving together in Powell River

Apr 8, 2021 | 5:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — From practicing in November with the Kamloops Storm in anticipation of the start of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season to earning a spot in the BCHL, a handful of former players have made the jump to the Junior A level and are proving they belong.

“Yeah, I’m hoping that I can maybe leave an impact and hopefully play in this league full-time next year,” said forward Branden Toye, who is from Kamloops.

Toye, who played with the Storm for the first two games of the cancelled KIJHL season after playing with the Thompson Blazers, is fitting right in with the Powell River Kings. He’s scored three goals in two games.

“The first couple practices, it was a little hard to adjust,” he said. “Even the first game, the first period was hard, but after I talked with some of the more older guys that we have on our team, it became a lot easier.”

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Toye is one of five former Storm players with Powell River during the shortened BCHL season. There is goaltender Jakob Drapeau, who played over two season in Kamloops, defenseman Brody Johnson, and forwards Lex Friesen and Owen Barrow. The players say having each other in the Powell River locker room has made the transition easier.

“Yeah, it definitely has,” said Barrow, who played in two games for the Storm after two seasons with the Yale Hockey Academy. “I’ve played with Toye since I’ve been in Peewee, and Brody Johnson I’ve known for the last couple years. It’s been nice.”

The opportunities were made available after players from the BCHL and WHL decided to play south in the U.S. Hockey League, the first junior league to start play. BCHL teams needed talent and came calling to the Storm.

The players attribute their success to the Storm — GM Matt Kolle and head coach Steve Gainey — who have put together a program that’s geared towards sending players to the next level.

Drapeau, who made 24 saves in a 5-4 loss to Surrey on Wednesday night in his first BCHL start, says participating in the Junior/Pro ice sessions in Kamloops over the last six months helped him immensely.

“The pro ices that we did, a lot of Blazer guys were out there and a lot of the [WHL] guys,” he said. “Their shots are quite a bit faster than the guys in this league, so that helped a lot to improve my skills.”

There are so many former Storm players down with Powell River in the Burnaby hub, it’s a wonder the team hasn’t considered a name change.

“Should the Powell River Kings change their name to the Powell River Storm?” CFJC Today asked.

Toye replied, “I don’t know. The Kings is a pretty gross name right now.”