The Comox Valley Glacier Kings’ roster has yet to be finalized as the 2011-12 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League exhibition season fast approaches.
The Yetis take to the ice this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Campbell River Storm.
“We’ve got a good group of guys coming out of our local midget program,” head coach Jordan Butcher said Sunday following a two-day conditioning camp at the Sports Centre Arena. “A lot of bodies coming in.”
As of Sunday, forward Jackson Garrett was the lone returnee. Otherwise, Butcher said the majority of players “are either gone to Junior A or are too old at this point.”
Last season, the Glacier Kings lost in the semi-finals to the Peninsula Panthers, who finished second in westerns.
“They were a very strong team,” said Butcher, 24, who played forward for the Glacier Kings from 2004-07. “They knocked us out.”
Butcher has replaced Kevin Hasselberg, who has moved on to the Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Hasselberg joined the Glacier Kings in the spring after head coach Jim McLean stepped down.
Butcher was an assistant coach the past two seasons under McLean.
“It worked out well,” Butcher said. “I did my thing and then was very lucky to coach under Jim the last two years.”
The Glacier Kings play Saturday at home and Sunday in Campbell River. The team hits the road to kick off the regular season Sept. 9 against the Panthers then hosts their southern rival Sept. 10.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
