Steam set to ice deep contender
Summerland coach happy with how team’s roster is shaping up
Special to the Herald
Head coach John DePourcq is excited about the Summerland Steam’s prospects for 2018-19.
“I love what we have. It’s a great group of kids here,” says DePourcq. “Up front on the forward side, I’ve got some depth all the way down the lineup. I feel every night I can put four lines that I can play and help us out.”
He’s also confident about his defensive core and goaltending, which features Summerland native Jared Breitkreuz and 18-year-old Eric Scherger, brother of captain Everett Scherger.
Steam fans will get their first glimpse of the official team, minus some injuries, on Friday when they open the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season against the Columbia Valley Rockies at the Summerland Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Summerland native, Dawson Jenner, who is finishing his junior B career at home after coming over in a trade with fellow Summerland native Linden Gove from the Princeton Posse, feels they look good right now. He says they have a talented squad, possessing skill, along with quickness to move the puck.
“I think it’s going to be a good season this year,” said the veteran defenceman. “I’m really excited to play in front of the home crowd.”
The Steam coaching staff will be focused on getting the players to learn systems and how they want the players to play.
Along with learning the junior game, veterans are adjusting to the full face cages, which was announced by B.C. Hockey last winter at the junior B level.
“I’m not a fan of it at all,” says Jenner, who has played 83 games in the KIJHL, adding when they had visors, they didn’t deal with headshots. “With the cages, everyone thinks they are tough now. They have a safety shield on their face. I think the game will get a lot dirtier.”
Jenner added the cage does impact visibility, which was hard for him during camp and he is still trying to get used to it. DePourcq says there have been a lot of penalties taken. When it comes to the type of team the Steam is, DePourcq knows he has character players and it will take a group effort every night to have success.
“My job as a coach is to teach them that if they work hard every day and stay focused on the important things like discipline and systems, it will give them the tools to win on any given night,” says DePourcq.
When talking about players fans can get excited about, DePourcq gushed about his young defencemen, which includes brothers Tyson and Brody Conroy, as well as Alex Marchand.
Up front there is Raeydan Beachchamp, Justin Swan — younger brother of Cody — as well as West Kelowna products Zach Cooper and Ty Banser.
DePourcq says the Conroys are very talented and described Marchand as a vocal leader.
The Steam will feature eight locals, five from Summerland — Breitkreuz, Brett and Sean Wilson, Linden Gove and Jenner. There are also two from Penticton — Cairo Rogers and Morey Babakaiff. Liam McLaren is from Kaleden.
“It’s the returning guys that have been awesome, fun to watch,” DePourcq says.
“I’m really excited to play here,” said Justin Swan. “I learned in my few exhibitions games that these guys are a lot stronger than guys in midget.”
Swan looks to bring physicality to the Steam while pressuring the opposition by getting pucks deep and getting on the body.
“I also got a scoring touch too. Hopefully I will score a few goals this year,” he says.
Having his brother will also help his adjustment and is giving him the feeling of home. They grew up in 150 Mile House.
During the home opener, the Steam will honour the Humboldt Broncos, who lost 16 members of their team in a tragic accident this past spring.