The Nanaimo Clippers were a team in transition last year and now, with a new season about to start, they’re a brand-new team.
The city’s junior A hockey club gets the B.C. Hockey League season started this weekend with two home games, versus the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday, Sept. 8, and then against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs the following afternoon.
Only two players return from last season, but Darren Naylor, Clippers coach and general manager, said the club has put together a “good blend of guys” who possess a lot of skill and scoring ability.
The coach said the pre-season ended with a string of strong performances and followed up a “really competitive” camp.
“There’s still actually some battles, even right now, it’s not solidified,” Naylor said. “It was a good camp … [We’re] excited to get ‘er going and keep teaching and keep getting these guys better every day.”
He’s hoping for good results on opening weekend, of course, but suggested it’s the beginning of a season-long process.
“You just play your game, work hard and stay disciplined,” he said. “The game magnifies and systems take place as the season progresses, but at the start, you just want to come out and be ready, have quick starts and be ready to go.”
The only two returnees are forwards Josh Bourne and Brady Lynn, and both will be expected to step into greater offensive roles. Marcus Mitchell is a newcomer who showed well in the pre-season and will be looked to for scoring.
Naylor said the Clippers’ goal-scoring potential will make for a “nice change.”
“You have that offensive IQ and it’s a knack,” the coach said. “It’s nice to have guys who can put the puck in the net and I think most of the guys here have done it consistently their whole life.”
On defence, Will Spitzer, Robby Drazner, Jordan Dawson and Aiden Hansen-Bukata have separated themselves as the top four, but there are other guys who will be able to contribute in different ways and possibly one or more late additions.
In goal, the Clippers will start with three guys – Jordan Naylor, Landon Pavlisin and a newcomer, not finalized at press time, with major junior experience.
“A lot of moving and shaking, still, before Saturday rolls around,” said Darren Naylor on Tuesday.
The Clippers announced that Mitchell will be team captain this year, with Lynn, Bourne, Dawson and Nicholas Wilson as alternate captains.
The home opener has a big-game feel every year, but it will be more pronounced this weekend with former Clippers coach Mike Vandekamp now behind the Capitals bench and a handful of ex-Clippers playing for him.
Naylor said he looks forward to that aspect of the matchup, though “probably not as much me as my counterpart, I would assume. It’s a home opener, a big game; if it’s a good rivalry and we get more people in the building, then that keeps everybody happy.”
GAME ON … The Clippers and Capitals play Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Sunday’s game against the Bulldogs is a 2 p.m. faceoff. For ticket information, including season ticket info, visit www.nanaimoclippers.com or phone 250-751-0593.
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