NOAH PAULSEN. (Image Credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea)

By Marty Hastings

IN THE KIJHL

Storm reflect on failed championship bid; look ahead to future, potential jump to Junior A Tier 1

Mar 26, 2026 | 6:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — A wagon pulled by charging Mustangs trampled the Kamloops Storm in Round 2 of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoffs. 

The Storm gathered for exit meetings on Thursday [March 26] and spoke to CFJC Today about their demise. 

“I don’t think any of us realized right away until the tears started to come down and the speeches were made at the end that this was it,” Storm forward Noah Paulsen said. “Yeah, it was just disappointing.” 

Williams Lake, which won four of five games against Kamloops in the regular season, swept the Storm 4-0 in the Doug Birks Division final. 

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The Storm – who had an outstanding regular season and finished nine points ahead of the Mustangs – backed themselves among favourites to win the league title and made deadline acquisitions to bolster their odds. 

They entered Round 2 planning to capitalize on a potentially fatigued Mustangs’ roster that endured a seven-game slugfest in Round 1. Kamloops was well-rested after sweeping Chase. 

“I think we did accomplish that,” Storm general manager Matt Kolle said. “We were physical. Their lineup was getting fairly depleted throughout the series, but good coaching, great goaltending and they swept us four straight.” 

Storm head coach Andrew Fisher said his team was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities in key moments. 

“If you look at each game individually, there’s probably a point where maybe we’re down by one or we’re tied and we get a great opportunity and don’t put it home and within a minute or two it comes back the other way and ends up in our net,” Fisher said. “Full marks to Williams Lake. They competed hard, their goaltender played great, their power-play was deadly.” 

Fisher said he will learn from the defeat and hopes to return next season. 

“I definitely could have made some adjustments, especially within our penalty kill, a little earlier,” Fisher said. “Great young men. Pleasure to work with.” 

Added Kolle: “Andrew and the coaching staff have done a good job. I’m happy with what they’ve done, so I think we’ll have positive talks, for sure.” 

Fisher said the Storm were ahead of schedule this season and expect to return stronger in 2026-2027, with 18 of 25 players eligible to return – 14 of whom will be 19. 

The club, which toils in the Junior A Tier 2 KIJHL, is expecting to make the jump to a Tier 1 Junior A circuit next season. 

“There’s a lot up in the air, still to be figured out,” Fisher said. “But it seems like there could be a possibility of bolstering the level of play by adding top players from other levels.” 

Kamloops forward Nolan MacPherson and his fellow 20-year-old graduates will not be around to help in the Storm’s quest to avenge this season’s early exit. 

“Yeah, it’s a bit heartbreaking,” MacPherson said. “We had a really special group this year and we thought we could have made it all the way, but we really just ran into a hot team. They played us really well. Give credit to them.”