Kamloops Storm touting improved hockey quality ahead of B.C. Hockey Conference opener

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Kamloops is one of 14 teams making the jump to the Junior A Tier 1 BCHC from the now-defunct Junior A Tier 2 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. 

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“As a whole, the league will be stronger,” Storm forward Luca D’Amore said. “When you kind of shrink it down a little bit, a lot of the higher-end talent kind of mixes its way in. I think it’s going to be a year where there are not any bad teams.” 

Some of the Storm’s top players from last season decided to move on, their departures contributing to a busy off-season for the scouting department. 

“I hope they find that Kamloops was a great place to play, Kamloops treated them well and they had a lot of success here,” Storm owner and general manager Matt Kolle said. “Everybody needs to chase their goals, their dreams. They see another opportunity, they’re chasing it and good for them.” 

Added Fisher: “I like the job we were able to do over the summer to kind of bring in some guys from some other teams. I think they fit in real well and I’m happy with the way things are right now.” 

With a slew of players who stand 6-foot-3 or taller, the Storm appear to have identity. 

“If anything, we’re a big, strong team,” Kolle said. “That’s where our bread and butter is going to be, just leaning on teams, grinding on teams and just outmuscling them over 60 minutes.” 

Kolle said there are about 10 returnees on the roster and about seven players from Kamloops, including D’Amore, who has taken over the captaincy. 

“Easy call,” Kolle said. “Great on the ice, great off the ice, community minded and a very talented hockey player. He kind of checks all the boxes for us this year.” 

The Storm – who had an outstanding 2025-2026 regular season backed themselves among favourites to win the league title and made deadline acquisitions to bolster their odds.  

After sweeping Chase, Kamloops entered Round 2 planning to capitalize on a potentially fatigued Williams Lake Mustangs’ roster that endured a seven-game slugfest in Round 1.  

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. 

The Mustangs and Storm will compete in the BCHC Interior Division, along with Revelstoke, Quesnel and Merritt. 

“It’s going to be tight,” Kolle said. “It’s going to be a battle. Knowing the guys on all these teams, whether it be the ownership, the coaches and the competitiveness, I expect this division to be a dogfight.” 

Festivities on Mac Isle will precede puck-drop on Friday. 

“Fun Zone is providing four inflatables,” Kolle said. “We’ve got food trucks from Fryer’s and Sip Soda. We’ve got Nick Carter pounding out some tunes, so you know the pre-game is going to be big out front in the parking lot.”