The Kimberley Dynamiters have some new additions to the roster who’ve already had an impact, while another joined them after Tusday’s game against the Columbia Valley Rockies.
Adam Hodge and Mitchell Loose have been with the club for the last two weeks, coming in from Alberta, while goaltender Bryce Halverson was recently added to the roster along with Brin Feledichuk, who was acquired in a trade with the Osoyoos Storm a few days ago.
The Nitros, through the recruiting efforts of assistant coach Jordan Foreman, have picked up a few players from Alberta in the offseason because a Junior B club folded in Whitecourt and moved into the AJHL.
Both Loose and Hodge were a part of that team, along with other Nitro players such as Connor Tetlock, Riley Helleksen and Matt Gann.
“[Loose] played in Junior A the last two years and he was playing in Whitecourt this year and things just weren’t happening for him up there,” said Foreman. “We contacted each other and he wanted to come down here and play, because he knew a couple of the guys.
“He’s a big kid, great skater, really fast. He’s going to be a big force.”
Like Loose, Hodge came via the Whitecourt connection as well.
“He actually came to our summer camp so we had our eye on him and once he got released, we contacted each other and he decided to come back here and play.
“He’s a big power forward, he’ll help us in the long run, for sure.”
Hodge has found his place in the lineup and is a little surprised at the KIJHL’s pace of play from what he’s used to in Whitecourt.
“For Junior B, it’s a lot more competitive, every game so far we’ve played has been one-goal games so it’s pretty close,” said Hodge.
The Dynamiters also got stronger in net, picking up Bryce Halverson, a goaltender who’s bounced around junior leagues with the AJHL and BCHL.
Halverson spent time with the Calgary Mustangs and the Powell River Kings, but ended up in the Junior B ranks with the Victoria Grizzlies of the VIJHL last year where his talents helped the club win a league championship.
“From the time that he got there to the time they won the championship, they went 13-0 so thats some good stats for sure,” said Foreman.
Halverson stood in net and earned the victory against the Rockies on Tuesday night, turning away 27 shots.
Also joining the Nitro ranks is Feledichuk, who arrived during the third period of that game from Osoyoos, where he was playing with the Storm.
Foreman said the Storm owed the Dynamiters something as part of “future considerations” for a trade between the two teams two years ago.
After negotiating back and forth, the two franchises decided on Feledichuk.
“He’s going to bring a little bit of physical play for us I think. More of a stay-at-home defence man,” said Foreman.