Summer isn’t even officially here and already Jamie Jackson is counting the days until mid-August.
That’s when his Vancouver Northeast Chiefs hockey squad gains access to its new digs at Burnaby’s Canlan Ice Sports 8-Rinks in preparation for the 2017/18 B.C. Major Midget Hockey League season.
The Chiefs have a lot of rebuilding to do – but unlike a certain struggling-to-retool local NHL club – their situation is wholly due to success.
The Northeast squad is coming off a strong year, finishing second overall with a 32-5-0 record in the 11-team major midget circuit. All of their eligible-to-return players have gone up the ladder or are knocking on the door.
Thankfully, there’s a constant flow of eager 15- to-17 year olds fighting to take their place.
“We’ve got to start all over again because we don’t have any players expected back,” said Jackson. “It’s something we’ve been through before, and, the last time we faced that challenge, it worked out well.”
Three seasons ago, the club was an underdog that ended up as 2014/15 B.C. champions. The following year was a transition period, where a youthful lineup gained confidence and developed chemistry at the major midget level.
It paid off last season when they were the second-best club in the league. It ended in a disappointing playoff exit, falling 2-1 to the Greater Vancouver Canadians in the semifinals last March.
But with success in junior hockey comes promotions and change. Among the leaders who have shuffled up the ladder are 15-year-old sniper Ethan Leyh and New West’s Liam Ryan.
The duo was a big part of last year’s offence – with Leyh finishing fourth in league scoring. At six-foot-one, Ryan stood fifth in team scoring with 43 points, while leading the team in penalty minutes (64) over 38 games.
The offseason has seen other changes as well, with the program shifting its home base from
Coquitlam to Burnaby, and a main spring camp held last month that drew more than 80 players competing to wear a jersey once worn by NHLers Ryan Johansen, Patrick Wiercioch and Mathew Barzal.
Drawing talent from New Westminster, east Burnaby, the Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, Jackson’s Chiefs won’t have trouble icing a talented team. But being competitive takes dedication, sacrifice and chemistry. All these new faces will give Jackson and his coaching staff plenty to work with.
“I feel this is probably the youngest group, but we definitely have impressive potential on defence,” said Jackson. “I really like our core on the back end among the guys we carded.”
There are only three potential returnees, including Leyh, from last year’s run, and all are likely making the move to the B.C. Hockey League, said Jackson.
Burnaby’s Christian Buono, who tallied 18 goals and 27 assists, is off to Powell River, while winger Zach Dallazanna, of Port Moody, is heading to Trail.
Leyh, an Anmore native, is going junior A with Langley after finishing posting 31 goals and 33 assists.
Ryan was signed by the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars, and is expected to bring his physical game to a new level. In his second major midget season, Ryan tallied 15 goals and 28 assists.
Also exiting is Jonny Sheardown, who tallied 17 goals and 23 assists. The d-man is joining Alberta’s Brooks Bandits, where he’ll help replace top NHL draft prospect Cale Makar.
While he is pleased with the talent coming in at defence and goal, Jackson said the offence is lined with potential. Led by a couple of high WHL draft picks, and a few affiliates from last season, the forward puzzle should come together over time.
Maple Ridge’s Tyson Phare, taken 18th overall by the Prince George Cougars, and the Burnaby Winter Club’s Kyler Kovich, a left winger selected 78th overall by Red Deer, are flashy and talented additions.
And following in Ryan’s footsteps is his younger brother Brennan, who has committed for 2017/18.
Two other local products – ex-New West minor forward Dante Ballarin, and BWC blueliner Zachary Abenante – bring major midget experience as callups.
Even with an all-new lineup,
other teams will be looking to avenge the lumps the Chiefs handed out last year, Jackson noted.
“That’s a good thing,” he said. “What the program has done commands a level of respect and helps us maintain a standard we always want to be at,” he said.
