Beleaguered Logan Lake Miners digging out of BCIHL pit

The five-team circuit — which includes the Miners, Vancouver Island University Mariners of Nanaimo, University of Victoria Vikes, Simon Fraser University Red Leafs of Burnaby and Okanagan Lakers — is populated mostly by former junior players who love the game and wish to continue playing competitively while pursuing an education.

Program culture might be more important than past success among factors considered by prospective recruits, but posting goose eggs in win columns over entire campaigns does not help general managers in the wooing process.

“Extremely difficult, for sure,” said Miners’ head coach and GM Grant Friesen, who joined the team ahead of its sophomore season. “My first year, our goal wasn’t necessarily about wins and losses. It was about creating an experience for our players, so it was something enjoyable for them to come and do and play at a competitive level, but enjoy the experience while they’re here.”

Of the 28 players on the Logan Lake roster, 25 are Thompson Rivers University students and three are enrolled at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt.

Among them is 22-year-old forward Jordan Lario, who following his tenure with the Golden Rockets in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League was contacted by Friesen with an offer to join the Miners, perhaps a tough sell considering they had never won a game at that point.

“He told me, ‘It’s a bad team, but he’s here now and he’s here to turn it around and make it a team,'” Lario said. “I liked everything he said.”

On Nov. 24, 2023, Lario hustled deep into the Vikes’ zone to prevent an icing call, the final effort required to secure Logan Lake’s first win in program history, the 4-3 victory coming in the 10th game of its second season.

“It was unbelievable, especially for the guys who were there who came back from the first year, where you’re 0-20 and struggling every night,” Friesen said. “To be able to get that first one was a really cool experience.”

Added Schaefer: “It was like a ton of bricks off of your back. Really cool to be part of Miners’ history.”

The club finished with a record of 2-18 in 2023-2024.

Friesen’s first full recruiting class (he was hired a few months before the 2023-2024 season, leaving him with a short runway) arrived in time for the 2024-2025 campaign, a group of 13 players that includes former Kamloops Storm forward Nathan Bohmer.

“Lots of guys look at online stats, but I think what they’re building here is a good program,” Bohmer said. “And we’ve got the steps to better the program over the next few years. I just wanted to be a part of that and I think it’s a good opportunity for me.”

The Miners have a much-improved minus-13 goal differential this season and potential to dig themselves out of the league basement, sitting one point back of the Red Leafs and three points behind the Lakers with games in hand on both teams.

“This year, it’s been a huge leap,” Lario said. “It’s at least three times better.”

Opposition is quick to remind the Miners of their past, which includes a minus-133 goal differential in the expansion season.

“Sometimes, it’s annoying,” Schaefer said with a laugh. “You get little chirps from the other team. We lean into it. It takes the pressure off. You don’t have anything to worry about. And this year, we’re making games one-goal games. Our room is so close, now, too. All the guys we’ve brought in have really built the team up.”

Logan Lake will be looking for its fourth win of the season this weekend on Vancouver Island, with games scheduled against the Vikes on Friday in Victoria and the Mariners on Saturday in Nanaimo.

The Miners are slated to host the Vikes on Jan. 31, a 7:00 p.m. start at the Logan Lake Recreation Centre.

“We’re averaging about 160 at [home] games,” Friesen said. “It helps when the team gets better. It’s more enjoyable to come watch a team you know is not going to lose every night.”

Morris, Man., Prince Albert, Sask., and Beaverlodge, Alta., are among the many Western Canada communities represented on the club’s roster, which also includes a handful of Kamloops-and-area skaters.

Each of them chose to join a beleaguered franchise that posted two wins and 38 losses in its first two regular seasons, determined to drag the Miners out of the BCIHL pit.

“I always try and remind myself we’re living the dream,” Schaefer said. “That was another thing when we were going through all those tough times. I’m playing college hockey. Not many people get to say they do that. It really helps to keep that in mind.”

by Marty Hastings

Beleaguered Logan Lake Miners digging out of BCIHL pit

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