A deep, well-rounded roster with lots of returning veterans provides plenty of promise for the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs as they launch the 2018/19 B.C. Major Midget Hockey League season.
All that’s missing is a Gritty-like mascot – the Philadelphia Flyers’ addition to bizarre sideline attractions that is the latest social media craze.
The Chiefs kicked off the new season last week with a split in Victoria against the South Island Royals, setting the stage for this weekend’s home-opening twin spin with the Cariboo Cougars.
Head coach Jeff Urekar, who succeeded Jamie Jackson after four years working as an associate and assistant coach, is pumped at the promise this lineup offers.
“I think we see ourselves being one of the top teams in the league. We’re missing one of our top-six forwards right now and that’s a bit of a hump to get over to start the season, but we definitely see this as a year where we can make a run,” said Urekar.
“We have a lot of returning players; we have a lot of experience in the league. Both of our goalies have returned as well as five defencemen, so it makes a big difference to have that second season,” he said, referring to the nature of the midget program.
Their first game, a 4-2 loss, hinged on the spectacular performance of Island netminder Brendan Forman, who made more than 40 saves to steal the two points.
The Chiefs may have been hamstrung in the first game, but they turned the tables a day later in a 4-0 shutout. Christian Lowe, who missed the first game, notched the eventual game winner, while Yellowknife native and Burnaby Winter Club product Sam Schofield tallied a pair. New Westminster’s Dante Ballarin counted the other goal, a one-timer on the powerplay.
Michael Harroch recorded the shutout.
The bounce-back effort was exactly what the coach hoped to see.
“I really liked the way we played all weekend. We outworked them and spent a large portion of the game in their end. Being the first game, specialty teams played a bit of a role, with three of their goals coming off the powerplay,” he noted. “We had some adjustments to do going into the second game. … It really motivated our guys for Game 2 and we came out, start to finish, very solid.”
During last year’s roller coaster run, where they squeaked into the eighth and last playoff spot and then became the first squad to bounce the regular season champs in the first round. Although their season ended with an overtime loss to Cariboo in the semifinals, Urekar feels that late charge can carry over for a quicker start this year.
“Last year we got off to a slow start and it took us a while to get our first wins on the board,” Urekar said. “With a good returning group we’re looking forward to get those early wins.”
A good run to start the season also would put them in contention for a berth to the prestigious Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament in Calgary – where the top-four teams at midseason qualify.
This year’s Chiefs lineup has a strong Burnaby core, as well as representatives from its other zone areas of the Tri-Cities, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
On the blueline are a trio of local contributors – Zac Abenante, Jackson Murphy-Johnson and 15-year-old Nicco Camazzola.
Both Abenante and Murphy-Johnson are part of the returning core who stabilize the defence as well-rounded puck carriers. Camazzola is debuting in the major midget circuit after a season in the Burnaby Winter Club’s bantam prep program, and brings solid size as the club’s youngest player.
“Jackson is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, and Nicco’s 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, so they are definitely one of the bigger and stronger tandems in the league, playing together,”
said Urekar. “(Abenante) plays a smart, simple game where he moves pucks up the ice, which is definitely what you want on defence.”
Netminder Logan Terness, meanwhile, is part of a two-man rotation that has experience on its side. Both Terness and Whistler-native Harroch are back for a second season, while the just-turned 16-year-old Burnaby goalie was signed to an affiliate deal with Trail of the B.C. Hockey League.
An off-season growth spurt, adding nearly four inches to his frame, has given Terness a different profile, said Urekar.
“That adds a big impact for a goaltender. He’s on the ice seven days a week. When we’re off he’s got a goalie coach and he’s working on things. His work ethic is incredible.”
On the forward ranks, a pair of Dantes – Ballarin of New West, and Burnaby minor product Berretoni – add different components to the team. A third-year veteran, Ballarin is taking on a leadership role while also sliding into centre ice to compensate for a few early season injuries.
“This is really his third year with the program, (he started) as an affiliate two years ago. Last year he came on full time and is a great leader. He has a ton of respect in that room.”
Berretoni, meanwhile, provides some valuable grit and skill to the wing.
“He’s very physical and tough to play against in the corners and along the boards. He’s got a great shot and his biggest asset is his ability to shoot the puck,” remarked the coach.
Although hesitant to point out any top line combination, saying success will depend upon a balanced offence, Urekar said players like Schofield are going to drive a lot of the attack.
“He’s 5-foot-4 but he plays like he’s 6-foot-4,” added Urekar. “The kid has no fear, he’s relentless out there with the pressure and work ethic he brings. He’s actually signed with (the Western Hockey League’s) Swift Current Broncos, and it’s very rare you find someone of his size sign and play in that league, but just his work ethic alone is going to get him there.”
The Chiefs host Cariboo Cougars on Saturday, 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. at Burnaby 8-Rinks.
