The 100 Mile House Wranglers Junior B Hockey Club has just signed five players for the upcoming Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) season.
Club president Tom Bachynski says the signings make it feel like everything is coming together for the Wranglers.
“It feels like the team is building. It felt like a dream sequence, but now kids are signing up and they’re coming to [main] camp and their forming a team.
“It’s unique to watch because it’s the first time it’s happened for us; it’s exhilarating really.”
Noting the players who have signed are from 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Vanderhoof, Kamloops and West Kelowna, Bachynski says the club’s business proposal is to look through the central and northern regions of the province for different hockey talent.
“I think you’ll see that we’ll be signing some more kids from north of us because that was kind of our focus right from the start.
“Five are already committed but we still have lots to go, but it’s a bit of a chess game that you have to play because you have to wait to see where kids end up playing and where they’re accepted and where they’re not accepted. Some are going to try to play Junior A, and if they don’t make Junior A, you want to be there to try to bring them in by offering an opportunity.”
Bachynski adds it will get more exciting as the weeks go on in terms of team development.
General manager and head coach Doug Rogers is in charge of signing the players and he’s pleased with the first five signings.
Jayden Syrota is a five-foot-10 170-pound defenceman from Vanderhoof. Born in 1997, Syrota will go down in the club’s history book, as he was the first player to sign with the Wranglers.
He played for the Fort St. James Midget Stars last season, and as a 15-year-old, Syrota was invited to the Saskatoon Blades camp of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where, Rogers says, he performed well.
“Jayden is an excellent skater, a mobile defenceman, with great offensive abilities. He committed to the Wranglers organization prior to the spring camp in April.
“As he develops, we expect Jayden to play a role on our power play. He has the raw abilities needed to be successful in this role and has the skating ability to jump into the rush.”
Tristan Sailor is a five-foot-10 175-pound defenceman from Williams Lake. Born in 1996, Sailor played for the Williams Lake Midget Timberwolves last season.
Noting Sailor will bring some intensity and physical play to the Wranglers, Rogers says he committed to the Wranglers organization following spring camp.
“We expect Tristan to be a solid contributor in the defensive end. He drew attention to himself in spring camp through his work ethic and non-stop effort.
“Tristan will be a spark plug for the Wranglers. The players and fans will feed off his energy.”
Riley Woodland is a six-foot-one 195-pound goaltender from Kamloops. Born in 1995, Woodland played for the Kamloops Midget Tier 1 Blazers last year.
During the spring camp, Rogers says he impressed goaltending coach Taylor Dakers with his ability.
“Riley committed to the Wranglers organization following spring camp. It was important for us to identify one goaltender from our spring camp and we did this with Riley.
“Riley is now the standard in which the goalies coming to main camp will be judged against. I would like to have our goaltending numbers down to three for the pre-season and then down to two prior to the season starting.”
Cole Zimmerman is a six-foot-three 180-pound forward from the 100 Mile House area. Born in 1996, Zimmerman played minor hockey last season in Chase.
Rogers says he was one of the best forwards in spring camp and impressed the entire coaching and scouting staff.
Zimmerman played three games last season for the Chase Heat in the KIJHL as an affiliated player.
“Cole is a big forward who has the ability to score and he will be counted on to bring his scoring touch to every game. Having a local player return home to play on the Wranglers is extremely important for both the organization and the community.
“I certainly hope more local players make an impact at main camp, similar to the impression Cole made at spring camp. He committed to the Wranglers organization following spring camp.”
The signing of Cole Zimmerman, who is from 100 Mile House, was a good move for the team, Bachynski says.
“He’s a big kid and a real personable young man. I think he’ll be a good ambassador for the Wranglers – we’re very happy about that one.”
Connor Sloan is a six-foot-2 180-pound forward from West Kelowna. Born in 1995, Sloan played for the West Kelowna Midget Warriors last year – amassing 61 points in 52 games and accumulating 90 minutes in penalties.
His play earned him the opportunity to play five games in the KIJHL with the Penticton Lakers last season as an affiliated player. Sloan was named the Most Dedicated player by the West Kelowna Minor Hockey Association.
“Connor brings character both on and off the ice and we will be looking for him to become a leader in the dressing room. He stood out with his play at the spring camp and was an easy selection, by the Wranglers staff, to sign.”
Sloan committed to the Wranglers following spring camp.
Rogers notes Sailor, Woodland and Zimmerman will be participating in the June 23 Ride Don’t Hide event.
He adds the Wranglers will have more player announcements in the coming weeks.
The 100 Mile Wranglers Main Camp will take place from Aug. 18-20 at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre. The Main Camp interest has been very good, Rogers says, adding local players interested in attending are encouraged to get their registration in early so they can be considered.