(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KIJHL CENTENNIALS

New era of Merritt Centennials hockey underway in the Nicola Valley

Sep 13, 2024 | 7:00 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — The BCHL’s Merritt Centennials bowed out of the Fred Page playoffs in the first round last spring, losing to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in five games. In doing so, the franchise ended more than 50 years of history in the league as the community-run team announced it was folding due to mounting financial pressure. But from the ashes arose a new beginning for the small Nicola Valley community with a new private owner and the rebirth of Centennials hockey in the Kootenay International Junior A Hockey League (KIJHL).

Junior hockey is synonymous with city of Merritt. Proudly home to what was the longest continuously operating franchise in BCHL history, Centennials hockey has barely missed a beat, as the next era is underway as a KIJHL franchise.

“We are going to be young, and I think the guys understand that. But we are going to be competitive and what we have talked about in the room is that age is just a number and, at the end of the day, there are going to be some young mistakes. There are going to be some growing pains. We are already seeing them in the exhibition season. But as long as we are willing to learn and get better and improve as a group we’ll be just fine,” said Centennials Head Coach and GM Wes McLeod.

After decades as the smaller sibling to the more prestigious BCHL, the Kootenay International League appears to present a better option for Merritt, complete with instant rivalries with teams in Kamloops, Chase and Princeton.

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“I think that is part of the some of the excitement here in the community, as there are new rivalries and closer in proximity rivalries,” said McLeod. “I think we will see a strong on the road support as well for us this year. We are looking forward to those rivalries and they have already kind of started. We’ve played Kamloops twice this week and you could tell by the second game, it was already getting a little chippy.”

While the Cents have had a few local heroes in recent years such as Talon Zakall or Chase Cooke, the new start provides more Merritt kids, like Cooper Harrington, chances to again dream of representing their home town.

“I always wanted to, but there were a few years there where I was like, ‘I’m not sure if this is going to happen.’ Then they switched leagues and I’m like, ‘Maybe I can make it as a 16 (year-old). It’s really just a dream come true to be able to dress up and put on the Merritt Centennials jersey,” said Harrington.

As an expansion team, the Cents know they will be in tough, bringing over a few KI vets, both of whom grew up in Kamloops to help lead a youth-laden roster this season.

“Anything can happen in this league. Anybody can beat everybody, I feel like,” said Jobie Siemens. “It’s a pretty good league, lots of skill. If we kind of just play our way, stick to the game plan and then I think anything can happen.”

“Find that adjustment, really. It’s a lot faster and you need to find what works for you. Last year, I didn’t play a lot, but I found what works for me and now I’ve come here and Wes (McLeod) seems pretty happy about my play style. (I need to) just keep working,” added Jacob Bishop.

While the team itself is brand new, 50 years of history are not lost on those given the chance to don the Centennials logo on their chest.

“With that comes responsibility on us to represent this community, to represent the history. We talked about that in the dressing room,” said McLeod. “When we had the parade last weekend, the boys were amazed by how many people came out and cheered on the boys as they walked down the street. And we talked about what that means in terms of the responsibility on our shoulders to give back to the community.”

The season will begin next week for Merritt on the road, with the team’s home opener set for Friday, September 27, versus the Kamloops Storm.