Fernie Ghostriders Recruiting Guide 2018-19 Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club
Our Program The Ghostriders are considered one of the premier teams and offer one of the best junior hockey experiences in the KIJHL. The Ghostriders pride themselves on offering a program with all the qualities of a Junior A program at the Junior B level that provides all the resources to move players on to higher levels of junior and college hockey. In order to develop players for the next level both on and off the ice, the Ghostriders coaching staff value players with a strong work ethic, high level of character and a commitment to excellence that gives the team a competitive advantage over their opponents. In addition to hockey, our players experience an atmosphere that makes them a role model in the community and opportunities are provided to get leadership experiences that translate to life after the game. The resources to develop players on and off the ice include the following and many more: 1. Professional coaching and leadership from a dedicated full-time staff; 2. Four 75 minute practice ice times per week, plus morning skates on game days; 3. Off-ice training and a season-long access to Evolution Fitness and their certified training staff; 4. Additional off ice conditioning facilities including but not limited to CrossFit, yoga, boxing, spin; 5. Mandatory community volunteer commitments on behalf of the team; 6. Weekly video analysis for team and individual preparation; 7. Room and board with a welcoming billet family organized by our Billet Coordinator (fees apply); 8. All hotel accommodations and meals provided while traveling to and from games with the team; 9. Fully-licensed equipment and team apparel package (helmet, cage, gloves, pants, bags, sticks) 10. Educational assistance for players interested in college/university hockey; 11. Player promotion assistance from coaching staff for players interested in playing higher levels 12. Nutrition/supplies provided for all games (snacks, Gatorade, tape, wax, laces)
The KIJHL Josh Teves is a former Ghostrider who committed to the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL and currently plays in the NCAA for Princeton University The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is the premier development league at the Junior B level in Canada. For 51 seasons, KIJHL teams have successfully developed and prepared players to move on to Junior A and Major Junior hockey, as well as college and university programs at all levels in Canada and the United Stats The KIJHL consists of 20 organizations spread throughout the interior of British Columbia, with teams split into 4 Divisions. Each team plays 47 regular season games between September and February with 16 teams advancing to the KIJHL playoffs and competing for the league championship and a spot at the Cyclone Taylor Cup, BC s Junior Provincial championship in April. Over 45 future NHL players got their start in the KIJHL, including Shea Weber, Barret Jackman, Cody Franson, Chuck Kobasew, Adam Deadmarsh and Ray Ferraro. Countless others have earned scholarships after progressing to leagues like the WHL and the BCHL, while many of those who finish their careers in the KIJHL are recruited by college teams throughout Canada and the United States. Ghostriders player are eligible to affiliate with teams in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and our coaching staff works hard to create these opportunities. Fernie has affiliated players throughout the BCHL and has used its relationships with those teams to create exposure and provide as many practice and game opportunities as possible to their players throughout the season.
Player Advancement Development and advancement in a winning environment is the top priority of the Fernie Ghostriders. Our coaching staff works year-round to present opportunities for players at the Junior A level and College/University. Over the past seven seasons, 21 Ghostriders have advanced to player Junior A or University Hockey: Ethan Jang Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL) Devin Nemes Selkirk College (BCIHL) Alex Cheveldave Marian University (NCAA III) Derek Georgopoulos Selkirk College (BCIHL) Cavin Tilsley West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) Austin Wells Selkirk College (BCIHL) Jake MacLachlan Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) Brett Perrine College of Charleston (ACHA III) Josh Teves Merritt Centenials (BCHL) Jonathan Thompson Penn State (ACHA II) Pierce Dushenko Coquitlam Express (BCHL) Chris Solecki Thompson River Univ. (BCIHL) Matthew Carr Melville Millionaires (SJHL) Anthony Gardner Coquitlam Express (BCHL) Jeff Rayman Spokane Chiefs (WHL) Patrick Webb University of Victoria (BCIHL) Tyler Gonzales Hamline University (NCAA III) Stefan Seel Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) R.T. Rice Estevan Bruins (SJHL) Connor McLaughlin Selkirk College (BCIHL) Kade Pilton Victoria Royals (WHL)
Jeff Wagner: Head Coach/General Manager Wagner is entering his first year as the Fernie Ghostriders Head Coach and General Manager, after joining the team from the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. In his two year with Creston, he assisted in leading the team to a combined regular season record of 68-21-3-2 in 94 games, which included back to back seasons where the Thunder Cats recorded the most goals in the KIJHL. In the 2016-17 the team won the Bronze Medal at the Cyclone Taylor Cup following a record setting regular season. Prior to joining the Thunder Cats, Wagner coached for 6 years in Calgary splitting his time between the Calgary Northstars and Calgary Buffaloes Associations. During this time, he attended Mount Royal University where he obtained a Bachelor of Business & Entrepreneurship in Sports and Recreation. Over his 8 year coaching career, Wagner has helped advance 28 players to full time Junior A hockey careers and 18 players to college/university hockey. Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club
The Town of Fernie Fernie is a beautiful town located in Southeast British Columbia and is home to endless recreational opportunities year round. People from around the world travel to Fernie to experience hiking, mountain biking and golfing in the spring and summer, while the winter months offer ski/snowboard enthusiasts 142 different runs to satisfy their adventures. Fernie is considered a premier tourist destination; however the official population is around 5500. One of the main sources of entertainment in the evening is the Fernie Ghostriders and the fan support is uncomparable as we often see over 700 people file into Fernie Memoiral Arena during regular season games and over 1000 during the playoffs. Highschool aged players attend Fernie Secondary School and assistance is provided year round to manage their school schedule while playing junior hockey. For players looking to begin postsecondary education, Fernie is home to the College of the Rockies, which provides a wide range of web-based courses that are transferable to other educational facilities. The Ghostriders provide a bursary program that can cover tuition costs for players that enroll while in Fernie. Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club
Amenities Our Facility Fernie Memorial Arena is the home of the Ghostriders. Throughout the season Ghostriders players will have access to our pro-style dressing room and will typically practice every day Monday-Thursday, with additional ice time provided for pre-game skates. Off-Ice Facilities The Fernie Ghostriders will have access to Evolution Fitness and their experienced and certified training staff throughout the hockey season. Additional off ice training will include but is not limited to: CrossFit, boxing, spin and yoga. Team Fees Fernie Ghostriders players are responsible for payment of an annual season fee and monthly billet fees. The season fee covers all hockey-related activities and team equipment, while the billet fee covers room and board with a local family, as well as hotel and meal costs during road trips. To learn about specific fee amount for the 2018-19 season, speak with head coach Jeff Wagner
Interested in becoming a ghostrider? Jeff Wagner Head Coach/General Manager Cell: (403) 512-9631 Email: wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com Web: fernieghostriders.com