Ingram talked to me about the additions on Mountain FM's Overtime today. I'll be airing interviews with the new Smokies on Wednesday night.
The first addition is probably no big secret to anyone who followed the team last year. 1991 born Trail native Steven Koshey played 5 games with the Smokies last year as an AP player. He went pointless with two penalty minutes, but I thought he fit in very well. He didn't seem to have a huge problem making an adjustment to the quicker, more physical game. Koshey played confidently and made the smart, simple plays. He didn't really get a chance to show his offensive creativity at the BCHL level, but more will be expected of him in that regard now that he's a full time Smoke Eater.
Trail also added import puck moving defenceman and the second leading scorer on D in the KIJHL, Skyler Smutek. The 6'0, 170lbs 1990 born Washington native brings a lot of enthusiasm to the team. I think he might have been the best "first time" interview I've ever done. He seems to have a terrific attitude and is very much looking forward to coming to a city where hockey is the top sports priority. Skyler tells me he's been on skates since he was a toddler and used to walk around the house with duck tape on the blades. Sounds like a hockey player. He put up 11 goals (7 on the power play), 36 points and had 140 penalty minutes. Ingram says that while Smutek is still filling out, he plays a gritty game and can get physical. Smutek was also able to put up that many points on a Spokane team that was last in the Neil Murdoch Conference in goal scoring.
Ingram says he initially saw Smutek play in a game where he was scouting a different player, but instantly became interested in what the young defenceman could bring to the table. He should definitely compete for some power play time on this year's squad. Their man advantage needs to be better. The more I hear about this young man the better I feel about his prospects with the team.
Oh, and apparently he's into amateur video. Maybe we'll get him to help Daryl out in the video booth next year. Produce a few features for the intermissions!
Finally, they also added the KIJHL's fourth leading point getter from the back end, physical defenceman Jayson Reardon. He's listed at 6'1, 195lbs but we're looking at a guy who will be north of 200 at camp. Reardon scored 17 goals, 34 points and 156 penalty minutes in his first year with the expansion Chase Chiefs. Reardon's 10 power play goals make him another solid option for igniting the man advantage.
Ingram says he will add a physical element that they were missing when Cam Brodie got hurt last season. Reardon fought during the spring camp. He got cut and had a chipped tooth, but he was back out on the ice competing within minutes. The 1990 born Lumby, BC native sounds like an excellent prospect for a full time roster spot next year.
The transition from the KIJHL to the BCHL is no minor leap, but it's intriguing to take a look back at the top scorers from the blue line in that league.
1. Cody Lockwood (Kamloops) 9, 38, 47 (1987)
2. Skyle Smutek (Spokane) 11, 25, 36 (1990)
3. Torin Brusven (Nelson) 9, 27, 36 (1988)
4. Jayson Reardon (Chase) 17, 17, 34 (1990)
5. Cody Rose (Castlegar) 13, 17, 30 (1988)
6. Steven Koshey (Beaver Valley) 10, 20, 30 (1991)
Three of the top six scoring defencemen in the KIJHL are now Smoke Eaters. The other three are two 1988s and a 1987. That means Trail picked up all the top high scoring rookies. Hopefully that means good things for the transition game and the power play.
We'll have the new Smokies on Overtime tomorrow and I'll post the interviews later. I'll let you know whenever I hear any new information.
NOTES
...The Smokies have named a new captain. Who is it? I'll let you know later this week on Overtime.
...Former Smokies D Kevin Koopman had surgery for a hernia recently. He could have had the surgery as far bac as December but delayed it so he could finish the season. Koopman played through the pain and did his best to help Trail get to the playoffs and make an impact. Good luck to that class act at Brown. Senators (his draft team) could use some of that this year too, Kevin!
...Penticton taking on Camrose in the Doyle Cup. A couple of old Vees taking on their former team. Camrose is a powerhouse with a great coach. So is Penticton. I wish I could be there to watch it. Ryan, Penticton's play by play broadcaster is a lucky man. Enjoy!
...A young man named Dustin made a very positive post on his experience at the Smoke Eaters camp over on the BCHL message board. That place can be a gong show sometimes, but it was a real positive post from a young player who seems to have a great attitude.
...Dave Nonis fired? Globe hockey writer and blogger James Mirtle and I talked about it on Overtime. He really didn't like the job Nonis had done with the Canucks and saw little hope of a turn around. I tend to think they should have been a playoff team, but his unwillingness to address their need for more scoring was his undoing. How could anyone who watch the playoffs last year not realize that a goal scorer or two could've put that team over the top? Instead now they have even more holes at forward than they ever did. Good luck Canuck fans, the Stanley Cup drought is getting longer!
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