Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

IN THE KIJHL

Storm GM Kolle believes his club among favourites to win division ahead of home opener

Sep 18, 2025 | 5:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Storm general manager Matt Kolle pegs his club and the Quesnel River Rush among the favourites to win the Doug Birks Division.

“You’re always hopeful that the guys you talk to, the players you recruit, can some day become part of your program,” Kolle said. “As of the last two weeks, a lot of the guys have showed up on our doorstep and they’re ready to roll.”

Kolle, with a nod to work done by director of scouting and player personnel Carter Grice, said his Kootenay International Junior Hockey League club promises to be intimidating up front.

“The success of teams like the Florida Panthers, the Washington Capitals, the St. Louis Blues a few years back — big, strong, aggressive hockey teams — we feel like that’s the model that that we’re following at this time,” Kolle said.

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Removing bathroom doors at Barriere Secondary increases safety concerns

Apr 02, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 2, 2026

Apr 02, 2026

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Kamloops deserves the full story

Apr 01, 2026

Nicklas Wytrychowski is among recent recruits who fit that mould, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound forward from Airdrie, Alta.

“We’ve got a good batch of younger rookies this year who are going to really be impactful out there, just skilled guys that can play physical and they look like they already have a really complete game,” returning Storm forward David Ander said.

“I don’t want to speak too soon, but I also want to come in with a lot of confidence. I think we’ll have a great playoff run. It should be a really good year.”

The defence corps is less sizeable, expected to rely more on speed and skill.

“Last year, I think we were a bit on the slower side,” returning defenceman Logan Bates said. “We definitely picked up some faster skaters. We will be a physical group.”

Goaltending appears to be a position of strength.

Brenner Fyfe, the top goaltender in the Doug Birks Division last season, has returned for his 18-year-old season and the Storm acquired promising 17-year-old netminder Joshua Nuttall, who posted a .920 save percentage in 25 games last season for the Oceanside Generals in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.

Kamloops placed second in the Birks division last season and was ousted in Round 2 of the playoffs by the 100 Mile House Wranglers.

Kolle was asked for his opinion on the division landscape ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign.

After naming the Storm and River Rush among favourites, while noting he has questions about Quesnel’s depth, Kolle said the Wranglers are icing a sizeable, physical roster likely to compete for second or third place in the division.

Kolle said the Williams Lake Mustangs are young but talented and the Chase Heat have work to do.

“We have our home opener Friday (Sept. 19) night against Chase and then we’re in Chase on Saturday, so we’ll see if my words are true or if Chase is going to make me eat my words,” Kolle said.

While Chase attempts to force feed Kolle, the first 200 fans in attendance on Friday at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre will be chowing down on free hot dogs.

Game time is 7:00 p.m.