Glacier Kings Add High Scoring Defenceman

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings have signed a much needed mobile, offensive defenceman. 2001 born Benton Browne will suit up in a Glacier Kings uniform for the 2019/20 VIJHL season. Browne played for the North Island Eagles where he averaged just over a point per game from the back end and finished third in team scoring. Unfortunately for him and his teammates, the club had to forfeit the last half of their season after their goalie quit and they could not find a replacement. The 6′ 0″ 163 pound rear guard hails from Port McNeil, a population of about 2000 people. He is actually childhood friends with Glacier Kings forward Tanner Roberts whose hometown is Port Alice (about 50 km away). Browne talked about why he wanted to come play in the Valley.

“I think what attracted me to the Glacier Kings organization is that they are a relatively young team. With lots of potential to grow, and with that growth I honestly believe the team will be a problem for other teams this year and years to follow.”

Speaking with him over the phone, it seems like Benton has a very good attitude and is genuinely excited to come here. He believes he can help the team.

“I hope I can bring a good offensive effort on the ice, as well as some grit. Off the ice I just hope to be a good teammate and support the boys however I can.”

Spring camp in Courtenay was a good experience for him. He got to know some of the players and coaching staff. He was impressed with head coach Jordan Kamprath’s knowledge.

“In the short time I’ve known Jordan he seems like he understands the game of hockey extremely well, I look forward to being apart of his team, and being coached by him.”

Browne also attended the Oceanside Generals Spring camp this year. This summer he has been living with his parents in Port McNeil while working at the Seven Hills Golf & Country Club.

Jordan Kamprath was impressed by Browne’s performance at Spring Camp. He believes the 18 year old will fill a void on his team.

“Benton is a strong skating defence who solidifies our back end. He makes the first pass well, sees up the ice and isn’t afraid to jump up in the play either.”

Browne has been dedicated to working out 4 to 5 times per week in the offseason. His offensive side should be a big help considering Comox Valley did not have a defenceman with double digits in points last year. Kamprath said he does have some expectations for the young kid.

“As a rookie defence I expect him to step up strong right off the bat. He has been working hard this summer to come into junior ready to play. He’s a good kid on and off the ice, and will be a valuable player for us this year.”

There hasn’t been a huge amount of signings in the offseason for the Glacier Kings as they are expecting most players to be returning from last year. However, the new kids that are signed so far look like impressive acquisitions that should help the team immediately. Main Camp has not even started yet but it’s easy to see that this year’s edition of the team already looks much improved over last season.

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Add A Large Piece To Their Line Up

If you ask any coach what he looks for in a hockey player, most times the answers would sound something like this: Scoring ability, size, strength, heavy hitter, good attitude. Connolly Ingram checks every single one of those boxes. After a terrific spring camp with Comox Valley this year, the 17 year old has committed to the team. He’s got the reputation as a power forward that loves to hit and can light up the score sheet. The 6′ 5″ 200 pound left winger played for the West Van Thunder last season where he played on the top line. Ingram scored close to 30 goals and finished second on his team in points averaging a point per game. His squad made it to the final 4 but just missed out on an opportunity to make it to Provincials. He comes from a small island just south of Gibsons called Bowen Island. Ingram says it should be an easy transition moving to the Comox Valley.

“Coming from a small town, Comox is a great fit for me. Its an ocean town just like where I am from. I really like the coaching staff, they welcomed me and challenged me and I am looking forward to more.”

Bowen Island has a population of under 4000 people. He has worked at a restaurant there for 5 years. I asked him what he will bring to the Glacier Kings.

“I hope to use my size and play making ability to open up the ice for my teammates. I hope to bring my hard shot and be a nightmare for the other team’s goalie.”

Ingram also has experience skating with the Nanaimo Buccaneers. He has been working out 4 to 5 times per week saying he will be in great hockey shape by the time Main Camp rolls around. Head coach Jordan Kamprath made a good impression on the rookie. Connolly talked about the second year bench boss.

“He’s a really good guy, he took the time to get know to me as a player and a person, and I really like his coaching style. I like that he pushes me.”

Ingram said that he would like to see where hockey can take him in his future after Junior hockey and eventually would like to get into Sports Medicine.

Jordan Kamprath liked what he saw out of Ingram at Spring Camp and was happy to have the youngster commit to the organization. He talked about the 2001 forward.

“Ingram is a big body who can be a mucker, but also able to put the puck in the net. A very competitive person that can keep other players on edge, he uses his body and reach to be a person they have to keep an eye out for all over.”

Kamprath believes Ingram might be just what this team needs. He says Ingram is more than just a one-dimensional forward.

“He’s a very well rounded player. Competes hard, shoots rockets, hits like a truck and isn’t scared to stand in front of the net. He adds some grit we were missing last year and will definitely add to our depth.”

Connolly has the tools to become a very good junior player. Hopefully with Jordan’s help, we will see him turn into a very effective player in this league.

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings New Road Uniforms

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings will have a slightly new look when they travel to start the season. By VIJHL rule, teams wear their dark jerseys on the road for the first half of the season before changing to their white’s for the second half. The color will be a little darker. The blue will be a little bit darker while the red turns into more of a maroon color. The part I’m most excited about is coming from a broadcaster’s perspective. The numbers on the sleeves is what a broadcaster will need 90 percent of the time while doing play by play because broadcast booths are situated at the side of the rink. In the past, the numbers on the sleeves have been red which is hard to read on a small number coupled with the fact that there was a white outline on the inside of the number. It was easier for me because I know the skaters better than the opposing broadcasters but I’ve had several people tell me that it was challenging. With the new uniform, it is just a white number on a dark background for a perfect contrast which makes it easier to read. Here is this year’s jersey (on left) compared to last year’s jersey (on right).

The old away jerseys were worn for 2 season’s which is usually the max life for them before getting changed out. Last year, the white’s were changed out which means the white’s will be changed out again next season. The matching socks are new but will be the same color as last season. Contact the Glacier Kings organization if you are interested in buying any past jerseys. I believe Marsha Webb told me once that she has many years worth of game worn jerseys. They can be purchased for $75.00 each. Contact the Glacier Kings office at 250-334-4709 for more information.

Darryl Skender

Fun Evening at the Sports Centre Painting Ice Logo

We all know the 2019/20 VIJHL season is right around the corner but things are really starting to get real now. On Wednesday night, Glacier Kings players, coaches and volunteers gathered at the Sports Centre to paint the club’s logo at centre ice. This was my first time doing it and it was a ton of fun. Everyone met at 6:00 PM and were met by the always chipper owner/manager/bus driver/skate sharpner/assistant equipment manager Dave Webb. He emptied what seemed like a thousand pieces of a puzzle on the ice and told us to put it together. Thank goodness he knew how to do it because I was lost. Co-owner Marsha Webb dropped by with pizza, drinks, donuts, cookies etc. which were terrific. The players helping out included, Damian Rennie, Jordan Neufeld, Ryan Telford and Alex Jalbert. Assistant coach Tyler Stitt as well as my fiancée Shannon Phoenix also engaged in the festivities. The eight of us had a lot of fun throughout the evening. It didn’t go without incident however. After the logo itself was done, a bucket of black paint was knocked over which gave everyone a good chuckle.

Because it only takes seconds for water based paint to freeze on ice, it was scraped off and redrawn. Here is a picture of how we started.

There was already about a half inch of ice put down on the concrete floor before we started. Now that the logo was painted yesterday, a sealer will be sprayed on today and then another half inch of ice will be put on top. Eventually, there will be about an inch and a half of ice made by the time the Glacier Kings ice sessions start later this month. Here are some more photos of the evening.

It took about 4 hours to complete the job. Afterwards, everyone went up into the stands to see what it looked like from a fans perspective. From down on the the ice, it just looks like a bunch of lines but we were all surprised how nice it looked from a distance. Marsha sent a message out to the volunteers that said, “Awesome. What a great job! Thanks to all the volunteers and players for getting a huge job done. It looks great!”

That’s it for today. Enjoy the sunshine!

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Captain Excited About Upcoming Season

The Comox Valley Glacier Kings looked to Finn Withey at the start of last season as a go-to guy, both as a captain and as a guy that would ignite the offence. It was a surprise when he started the season in Junior ‘B’. Despite it being a huge benefit having their leading scorer back on a young, inexperienced and offensively challenged team, head coach Jordan Kamprath consistently told me that he wanted to move Finn up to Junior ‘A’. I’ll admit that the selfish side of me wanted him to stay but was so happy for him when he left. He was leading the team in scoring by a long shot and played in every situation (even strength, PP, SH etc.). The team looked to him anytime they needed something positive to happen. After Jordan announced in late November that Finn was going to play for the Canmore Eagles in the AJHL, many of us thought… who is going to take his place? Who on this team is going to turn into a leader? At the time it didn’t seem like there was anyone that was ready to take on such a role. Kamprath decided not to name a captain through the whole month of December. He said he wasn’t going to name one unless someone stepped up and showed that they not only could handle it, but could thrive in that role. In early January, the announcement was made. It would be Damian Rennie, just 18 years old at the time. Despite his young age, he was one of the veterans on the club. With Withey on the team, Rennie had 6 goals in those three months. After Finn left, it was Damian that stepped up in December scoring 5 goals and 3 assists in the 8 games. The problem with Damian was that he took too many undisciplined penalties. In fact, in the first 4 months before becoming captain, he collected 86 minutes in penalties. However, Kamper saw something in the Campbell River native. Could it prove to be the correct move to make him the team captain? Well, not only did Rennie score in his first game as captain on January 4th in Campbell River, he had a grand total of just 6 penalty minutes in the final 2 months while donning the ‘C’. The second year forward ended up leading his club in scoring and was named MVP and Top Forward at the Awards Banquet at the end of the season. He also led Comox Valley in Game Winning Goals. It was indeed the perfect move by the head coach.

So we all know about his great speed and scoring ability now, but what is Damian like away from the rink? Kamprath said he is just as good away from it as he is playing in it.

“Off the ice, Rennie has been absolutely everything a coach could expect. As a captain, he manages and provides the link between ownership, coaches and the team. He works hard at the gym, shows up to volunteer events when he’s not working, and leads the dressing room. He really stepped into the leader role well and has run away with it.”

Two years ago, Rennie had 1 goal and 6 assists in 18 games before getting hurt. There was concern going into last year about his health and if he would be able to get into good enough shape after being hurt. Jordan said he loves the way this kid has overcome obstacles and developed.

“The last two years have been dramatically different in his play. He had a season ending shoulder injury during the 17/18 season, putting him in the stands for the second half. Last year, he started off a little pulled back because of the year before, but by Christmas he showed his true ability and talent. It’s been an honour to watch him blossom into the player he is.”

Watching him do that as an 18 year old, it should be fun to see what he can accomplish in the next 2 years (assuming he’s still here). He will be one year more experienced, one year faster and one year smarter. I asked Kamper what he wants out of him this season.

“I won’t be asking much more than what he’s already brought to the ice. He’s a fearless leader, vocal in the dressing room, and works harder than anyone else to succeed. Any time I’ve asked him to do something, Rennie does it to the best of his ability. As a 19 year old, with the growing pains we have had, I expect some very amazing things with him this year.”

After seeing what he did in the last half of last season, it’s easy to see that he can be a 20 goal scorer in this league. That would be a welcome blessing for a team that finished last in offence last season.

Damian has been enjoying his summer so far going to the lake, doing some 4x4ing and has spent a lot of time in the gym lifting weights. To keep his reflexes sharp, he can quite often be seen stick handing and shooting pucks. As for work, Rennie is busy working with his Grandpa doing floor laying which he says he really enjoys. I asked him what he is wanting to see from himself and his teammates this season.

“I would like to play much more consistent with my offence and also stay out of the penalty box. For the team I can really see us battling for the top 2 positions in the North. With pretty much the whole team coming back it will help being a year older, every one is more mature, and knows what it takes to win in the league from playing last season so I see a really big year for the Glacier Kings.”

You have to love the exuberance from the 19 year old. That optimism starts from the top with the coaching staff and having the captain this excited is certainly a great step for winning more games. Rennie will also be participating in some upcoming ice sessions at the Sports Centre. The dates of the sessions are July 22, 25, 29, August 1, 8, 12, 15, 19, 21, 26. It should be fun watching the enthusiasm of this year’s team.

That’s it for today, have a great evening.

Darryl Skender