Former 100 Mile & District Minor Hockey Association head coach and Midget Rep manager Bill Forman has been keeping tabs on some of the boys who have come up through the local minor hockey ranks and are now playing junior hockey.
Brett Harris
The 108 Mile Ranch resident enjoyed a great year as a rookie forward for the Junior B Summerland Steam of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Harris played 49 games during the regular season and notched 14 goals and 29 assists for 43 points, which was good enough for second place in team scoring. He also got whistled for 59 penalty minutes.
During six playoff games, he popped in a goal and three assists.
“Brett had an excellent rookie season for his team and will be highly sought after for either the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) or the Western Hockey League (WHL) next season, says Forman.
“Brett is affiliated to the Penticton Vees of the BCHL and is currently practising and, hopefully, he will get into some games this season or playoffs.”
Travis Wilkie
Another 108 Mile Ranch resident, Wilkie patrolled the blue line for the Summerland Steam and played four games during the regular season as an Affiliate Player.
While he was held off the score sheet, Forman says Wilkie hopes to crack a full-time KIJHL lineup next season and currently plays for the West Kelowna Midget Tier 2 Rep team.
Derek Schneider
The Gateway resident, Schneider enjoyed his rookie season on defence for the Bellingham Blazers Tier 3 Junior A of the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NPHL).
Schneider finished fourth in team scoring with 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points in 37 regular-season games. He also served 22 penalty minutes.
His team made it into the playoffs and he is getting a regular shift, which says a lot about his level of development, says Forman.
“He could be a solid KIJHL player next season.”
Micky Turner
Another 108 Mile Ranch resident, Turner plays forward for the Bellingham Blazers.
Forman says Turner had an excellent rookie season for his team and is receiving interest from United States schools for a possible scholarship.
During 19 regular-season games, he recorded eight assists and had four penalty minutes.
Reece Forman
The 108 Mile Ranch resident is in his second year as a defenceman for the Chase Heat of the KIJHL.
He notched one goal and 18 helpers during 49 regular-season games and finished fourth in team scoring. He also got whistled for 72 penalty minutes.
Forman won the team award for Top Defenceman and led all defencemen in scoring. He’s also the Alternate Captain for the squad.
Affiliated to BCHL Junior A Prince George Spruce Kings, Forman has been called up for the remainder of season and playoffs. He has appeared in three games with no points.
The playoffs start this weekend for the BCHL and the Spruce Kings will start games 1 and 2 in Chilliwack on March 15-16. Then games 3 and 4 go in Prince George, March 18-19.