Clippers retool to begin defence of their Island Division championship

Easily the best team in the Island Division in the 2014-15 season after racking up an impressive 37-16-0-5 record, the Nanaimo Clippers are hoping to remain in that position this campaign.

“We had a good year last year. It was a disappointing end to go that far and not win,” said Clippers head coach and general manager Mike Vandekamp. “We’re focused to get to that same spot again and take another step.

“The goal is to win every year. At this level, you turn over a lot of players. We do have a lot of new faces, but I think everybody does. That’s the norm. It will come down to how some of our new guys will adapt to this league.”

With 10 veterans back the Clippers, ranked No. 10 in pre-season polls by the CJHL, are expected to push for a division title.

Here’s a look at the rest of the Island Division: NANAIMO CLIPPERS • Head coach and GM: Mike Vandekamp • 2014/15 record: 37-16-0-5, 1st in division • Players to watch: Sheldon Rempal, Devin Brosseau, Yanni Kaldis, Edwin Hookenson, Kale Bennett, Corey Renwick. • Question marks: Goaltending, how will Jonathan Reinhart perform? Open: Saturday at Powell River ALBERNI VALLEY BULLDOGS • Head coach and GM: Kevin Willison • 2014/15 record: 27-25-2-4, fourth in division • Players to watch: Scott Clark, Chris Schutz, Josh Adkins, Garrett Halls, Quinn Syrydiuk, Brodie Smith, Eric Margo • Questions marks: Goaltending as Chris Tai moves from AJHL and Carson Schamerhorn jumps from the KIJHL • Open: Saturday at Cowichan Valley COWICHAN VALLEY CAPITALS • Head coach and GM: Bob Beatty • 2014/15 record: 20-33-2-3, fifth in division • Players to watch: Former Grizzlies Ayden MacDonald, Chris Harpur and Micth Meek; Ryan Burton, Kade Kehoe, Darien Graighead, Lane Michasiw, Adam Osczevski, Kyle Topping and recently acquired Patrick Geary • Questions marks: Lots of change, how will this team gel after a tough 2014-15 in which it allowed a lot of goals? • Open: Tonight at home to Victoria POWELL RIVER KINGS • Head coach and GM: Kent Lewis • 2014/15 record: 27-21-1-9, third in division • Players to watch: Goalies Jeff Smith and Stefan Worning; Nick Nonis, Nick Halagian, Jeremy Leclerc, Jonny Evans, Rylan Ball • Question marks: Where will scoring come from with losses of Jacob Pritchard, Jarid Lukosevicius, Kurt Keats and J.J. Coleshaw? • Open: Saturday at home to Nanaimo