Catching up with Jacklin, KIJHL Playoffs

While broadcasting the second game of the KIJHL semi-finals in Fernie I ran into Smoke Eaters MVP Scott Jacklin. Scott lives in Kimberley during the off season and made the drive with his dad to take in the action. I had the chance to chat with him during the first intermission.

Scott Jacklin in Fernie

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I can't imagine Scott is a player who will have any difficulty finding a place to play college hockey if he has another season like 2009-10. Especially with the built in chemistry he seems to have with Sam Mellor. I know losing Nick Sandor will hurt that top line, but there are a number of options to fill that void. They had Matt Wilkins there to start the season and it's not a huge stretch to think he could jump back in.

I'm looking forward to seeing the next level of Scott's game next season.

KIJHL PLAYOFFS

The KIJHL semi-finals hit game 4 tonight in Nelson with the Leafs leading 2-1. Puck drop is 7pm. Nelson could take command of the series with a victory tonight. I'm sure with their injuries they're hoping it won't be a long one, but it's hard to imagine this battle ending in just five games. We'll have the broadcast of game 5 in Fernie on Wednesday. For now here are the highlights of the first two games at the historic Fernie Memorial Arena.

Games 1 and 2 of the Nelson/Fernie series on Mountain FM

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Any fans near Nelson or Fernie should check out the series. It's great hockey and these teams are the last ones playing in our area outside of the WHL clubs a couple of hours away. Again you can join us for game 5 in Fernie on Mountain FM. Also keep your eyes on the BCHL schedule tonight to see if Quesnel can keep playing Cinderella. Great to see their fans have something to cheer about. I'm also really interested in the Westside/Penticton series. How cool would it be to have a game 7 back at the old Memorial in Penticton? I really enjoyed calling games in that barn.

2009-2010 Trail Smoke Eaters Awards

The Smoke Eaters handed out their regular season awards tonight in front of a packed house at the Riverbelle in Trail. I was impressed by how many people turned out to celebrate the boys on the same day as the big Canada/Russia match up.

I know having the game on Mountain FM tonight sure saved me as I was able to listen to it while making the drive in from Castlegar. What a game it was too! I hope the fans will be dedicated enough to join us on Mountain FM for the first game of the playoffs during the big Olympic semi-final between Canada and Slovakia on Friday night. I say watch the Olympic game on TV while listening to the Smokies on the radio. It's a can't miss prospect.

As for the awards, I loved the new style trophies the boys got. Very classy. In addition each player received a framed photo and CD full of their pictures from Randy Emery. It's amazing how much work he puts into that every year. The Smoke Eaters are very lucky to have him as such a dedicated fan and volunteer. The club also recognized their departing 20 year old players Sean Nugent, Nick Sandor and Taylor Swaffield with a team watch. That will be one way for them to remember the motto that, "When you play for the Smoke Eaters you are a Smoke Eater for life."

Here is a list of the award recipients:

• Most Valuable Player: Scott Jacklin
• Top Scorer: Scott Jacklin
  
• Top Defenceman: Eric Walker and Steve Koshey
• Rookie of the Year: Sam Mellor
• Most Improved Player: Wade Bennett
• Fan Favourite: Graeme Strukoff
• Most Dedicated Player: Sean Nugent
• Most Inspirational Player: Josh McEwan
• Ed Shelley Memorial Award: Paul Mailey
• Randy Emery's "Ultimate Warrior" Award: Scott Jacklin

I don't really have a ton to add to the list of winners. Jacklin has clearly proven he is among the better all around players in the league. There aren't too many people questioning the deadline deal to get him now. Plus how can you argue with a mullet like that? Of course it's difficult in some ways to recognize one member of that line without recognizing all of them. Jacklin, Sandor and Mellor have played together most of the season with very consistent success. As much as they need to get scoring from everyone to win, the Smoke Eaters will need that line to lead the way against the Warriors.

Congrats to all the very deserving winners for their regular season success. Now we can put that behind us and turn our attention to the playoffs. After an early exit at the hands of the Westside Warriors last season... the Smoke Eaters have some revenge on their mind! Join us on Mountain FM for Games 1 and 2 from West Kelowna. The scene will then shift to the Cominco Arena for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday in Trail. Don't forget the 7pm start time for those games.

Post Penticton Audio

Smokies Assistant Coach Brian Youngson

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Smokies Forward Scott Jacklin

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Smokies Forward Justin Brown

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Chris Wahl interviews Penticton Defenceman Isaac MacLeod

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Post Penticton Audio

Smokies Forward Nick Sandor

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Smokies Forward Scott Jacklin

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Smokies Defenceman Eric Walker

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Smokies Coach Jim Ingram

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Smokies Forward Steve Oursov (Pre-Game)

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BCHL scoring leaders by age group

1989

1. Mark Zengerle 74
2. Denver Manderson 69
3. Trevor Bailey 53
4. Brooks Robinson 49
5. Mitch MacMillan 46
6. Trevor Hertz 41
7. Braden Pimm 40
8. Nick Sandor 39
9. Taylor Holst 35
10. Brendan Ellis 35
11. David Dziurzynski 35
12. Tyler Gubb 34
13. Tye Lewis 34
14. Luc Olivier Blain 34
15. Grant Toulim 34
16. Corey Chakeen 33
17. Andrew Wallace 33
18. Jordan Heywood 33
19. Alex Allan 32
20. Jonathan Milhouse 32



1990

1. Mike Collins 49
2. Colton Beck 42
3. Sam Muchalla 42
4. Mitch Krgovich 40
5. Scott Jacklin 39
6. Chad Niddery 37
7. Andrew Pettitt 36
8. Connor Jones 36
9. Kellen Jones 36
10. Alex Szczechura 34
11. Cody Bremner 33
12. Greg Noyes 33
13. Jordan Grant 32
14. Travis Statchuk 32
15. Kevin Ross 32
16. Cole Wilson 31
17. Dustin Johnson 30
18. Cory Kane
19. Brandon Fagerheim 29
20. Colton Sobchak 29



1991

1. Beau Bennett 53
2. David Killip 50
3. Cam Reid 45
4. Garrett Milan 31
5. Dustin Mowrey 30
6. Richard Vanderhoek 28
7. Trent Murdoch 27
8. Joel Lowry 27
9. Steve Koshey 27
10. Jeff Jones 25
11. Andrew Gladiuk 25
12. Tyler Krause 24
13. Jackson Garrett 23
14. Darnell Dyck 21
15. Dennis Robertson 20



1992

1. Dylan Walchuk 38
2. Sam Mellor 33
3. Travis St. Denis 33
4. Mark MacMillan 33
5. Teal Burns 30
6. Joey Laleggia 28
7. Grayson Downing 25
8. Tim Daly 17
9. Wesley Myron 16
10. Michael Betz 15



1993

1. Victor Newell 23
2. Lyndon Martel 16
3. Manraj Hayer 14
4. Colton Sissons 13
5. Spencer Graboski 11
6. Luke Fenske 11
7. Eric Walker 6
8. Sam Grist 5
9. Stefan Nicholishen 4
10. Max Fielder 4



DEFENCEMEN

1. Brendan Ellis 35
2. Greg Noyes 33
3. Jordan Heywood 33
4. Kevin Ross 32
5. Wes McLeod 29
6. Derek Hills 28
7. Joey Laleggia 28
8. Steve Koshey 27
9. Brad Pawlowski 26
10. Elliot Raible 26
11. Darcy Huisman 26
12. Victor Nowell 23
13. Josh Pineiro 23
14. Dan Nycholat 23
15. Justin Fillion 22

Thoughts? Nice to see the Smokies with at least one player among the top scorers in each age group. When you realize that only one top scorer (Sandor) on the Trail roster is a 20 year old there is a lot of hope for the core of this team. I'm not just talking about for future years either. Any good team at this level will have guys contributing in all age groups. That balance allows you to build a solid foundation year in and year out.

Betz and Sandor honourable mentions

Trail Smoke Eaters forwards Mike Betz and Nick Sandor received honourable mentions when the BCHL announced their Player of the Week award today. It was won by Wetside's Trevor Bailey. Betz and Sandor actually out scored Bailey. The Warriors forward had 6 points in 3 games while Betz collected 8 points and Sandor had 7. They also both had hat tricks in Trail's 9-6 win over Williams Lake.

Scott Jacklin was also a big scorer for Trail on the trip as he had 2 goals and 8 points over the 3 games. You can vote for Jacklin in a poll on the BCHL website asking fans which BCHL player has had the most impressive offensive breakout as the season's midway point nears. Jacklin has 33 points in 29 games -- 10 more than he had all of last season. Congrats to all of them for their big weeks.

I'll have audio highlights from the weekend as well as interviews with Sandor and Betz on Overtime tonight and later on the blog.

Game Day: Trail at Westside, Jacklin Interview

Familiar foes face off for the first time this season as Trail visits the Westside Warriors. Trail only managed one win against Westside last season despite the fact that almost every game was decided by a goal or two. The Warriors swept the Smokies in the playoffs, but two of the games went to overtime after Trail held early leads. The Warriors just had Trail's number late in the game last season, but this is a new look Warriors squad with a new coach in Darren Yopyk. That being said, the Warriors do have several players who were dynamite against Trail last year. Trevor Bailey and Cam Reid are part of the first line with Scott MacDonald that has been tearing up the BCHL so far this season. Bailey and Reid were also Trail killers last year. Kyle Singleton and Alex Grieve had some of their best success against last year's Smoke Eaters as well.

However, the Warriors are without their one/two punch of Justin Schultz and Corey Pritz now that both players have moved on. They were the straws that stirred Westside's drink for the past two seasons and now it's up to returning vets like Brendan Ellis and Joel Woznikoski to carry the load. It will be interesting to get our first look at this year's Warriors. Traditionally these are two hard working teams that role four lines. However, Mark Howell is gone and we'll see what kind of game plan Darren Yopyk throws at the Smokies.

LAST NIGHT

You can click here for Ryan Pinder's recap of last night's game.

The Smoke Eaters may have lost 5-3 last night in Penticton, but the team is focusing on the positives. After getting down early (despite some great chances and another crossbar) the Smokies battled back and won the second half of the game. Their special teams also improved significantly in holding Penticton to 1-7 on the power play and in converting 2 out of 3 of their own power play opportunities. The forward lines all seemed to have a lot more jam and success on the attack. They still need to do a better job of converting their chances around the net, but that was the best the forward group has looked since the start of the season.

Trail does need to do a better job clearing the front of their net and in clearing their zone when given the opportunity. Too many open clearing opportunities ended up on a Penticton stick early in the game. Both first period Vees goals were scored on rebound scrambles in front of the Trail net. It's something Coach Ingram addressed and feels they were improving on in the remainder of the game.

I caught up with Smokies forward Scott Jacklin after the game. He had two points in what was a very strong game for the Kimberley Konnection line (Jacklin, Sam Mellor and Matt Wilkins) last night.

Forward Scott Jacklin

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Jacklin is one of two Smokies (Tye Lewis is the other) who are currently at a point per game pace. Some of the other veterans are going to have to start putting pucks in the net for Trail to get their first win here tonight.

LINE UP

Trail

Lidster-St Denis-Lewis
Wilkins-Jacklin-Mellor
Sandor-Brown-Mailey
Malenstyn-Loyst-Nugent

Koshey-Piccard
Bennett-Strukoff
Walker-Chaput

Murtagh
Beckwith

Westside

Bailey-Reid-MacDonald
Singleton-Downing-Krauss
Wilson-Grieve-Gould
Sissons-French-Bertow

Walls-Ellis
Quinn-Maher
Bergland-Woznikowski

Jebson
Gorchynski

BROADCAST

As always you can hear every road game on Mountain FM at 104.1 in Trail, 99.3 in Castlegar, 103.5 in Nelson and 96.7 in Grand Forks. It's also available online at our website. We'll have the City of Trail pre-game show starting at 6:45. I also want to say thank you and welcome to our new broadcast sponsor Nelson Ford. As of today our games will be known as Nelson Ford Trail Smoke Eaters hockey. Thank you to the folks at Nelson Ford for being a big part of making our broadcasts possible for this season!

Mellor to Trail

Smokies Coach and General Manager Jim Ingram announced the addition of 1992 born forward Sam Mellor to next season's roster. Here's Ingram discussing Mellor on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Jim Ingram on Mellor

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Mellor is a nice catch for the Smokies as his play last season and at a U17 impressed Alaska-Anchorage enough that they committed to him for the 2011-2012 season. He scored 40 points in 51 games as a 16 year old rookie in the KIJHL. Howver, as Ingram said he put up a lot of those points later in the year. Mellor scored 19 points in his final 20 regular season games and had 8 points in 10 playoff games. Ingram was especially impressed with the way the young player handled himself when the games got tougher come playoff time.

Mellor didn't just put up points on a bunch of assists. 19 of his 40 points were goals. He also put up points as a member of the Major Midget Kootenay Ice in his 15 year old season. Mellor was the team's second leading scorer with 28 points in 38 games on a team that struggled badly. He has a nose for the net and Ingram says he's also a determined two-way player who loves to battle for pucks.

Mellor joins fellow Kimberley Dynamiter Matt Wilkins in making the jump to the Smokies. Trail also added Kimberley native Scott Jacklin at last season's trade deadline. It seems like the Smokies are trying the make an obvious connected to talented East Kootenay players. Why not build a base there as Trail is easily the closest BCHL franchise to that region. Mellor went to some other spring camps but told me the additions of Wilkins and Jacklin made him more comfortable in chosing Trail because he knows those guys and knows they're talented players.

Mellor will join me tonight for his first interview as a Smoke Eater on Mountain FM's Overtime. Tune in between 6pm and 10pm at 104.1 FM in Trail.