Wilkins to Trail

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been on a long needed vacation and I have a lot to catch up on! For example, congratulations to former Smoke Eater Grant Rollheiser and Boston University for their huge win in the NCAA Frozen Four. Also congrats to former Smoke Eater Cam Brodie and the Vernon Vipers for their Fred Page Cup victory. As much as the Vipers are not popular in Trail, I'm sure we're all hoping they can bring the Doyle Cup back to the BCHL. Overtime is back and I'm excited about checking out AM Ford Fight Night this Saturday. Don't forget to head to the spud shack during the event to help raise some cash for the hockey club.

The Trail Smoke Eaters have committed to 1991 born forward Matt Wilkins for 2009-10 BCHL season. Wilkins joins the Smokies from the Kimberley Dynamiters in the KIJHL where he was the league's top goal scorer last season. Wilkins' 31 goals placed him fourth in the league, but he did it in only 42 games. That goals per game ratio (0.74) is higher than that of any other top scorer in the league. He also had 30 assists for a total of 61 points in 42 games. His 1.5 points per game put him in a tie for fourth in the KIJHL with a group of older, veteran players. He did it all as a 17 year old playing only his second year of junior hockey.

Coach Jim Ingram told me tonight on Mountain FM's Overtime that they knew Wilkins was a player, but they were blown away by his skill at the spring camp last weekend in Princeton. This is a player Smokies fans should be very excited about. Maybe he and fellow Kimberley native Scott Jacklin will find some chemistry?

This announcement is just the first of what should be several exciting additions to Trail's roster this off season. They won't be turning over near as many players as they did last summer, but I've heard rumblings about some other great talent that we can expect to hear about. The phones are still ringing and the recruiting continues. You can expect Jim Ingram will be working non-stop to make the team better next year. The nice thing is that a lot of the improvement will come just from the fact that all of last year's rookies will be one year older, wiser, stronger and better.

Here's Jim Ingram on this year's spring camp in Princeton and Wilkins...

Smokies Coach and GM Jim Ingram

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