Who will be the next Smokie?

Trail’s Cominco Arena will be buzzing this weekend as 85 prospective Smoke Eaters hit the ice for the annual I-D camp.

Head Coach and General Manager Tim Fragle says several players who took part last season made the team in the fall, including a dark horse free agent who impressed staff after coming to camp with no guarantees, other than the chance to prove himself.

“The one that sticks out the most would be Josh Evaschesen,” stated Fragle.

“He kind of worked his way on to this team, forced his way on, came to camp, earned a main camp opportunity, out of main camp made the team'”

Fragle says Cade De St. Hubert took the exact same path from their I-D camp last summer in Minnesota.

Four players signed throughout last season will be in action this weekend.

Trail boy Chayse Johnson will tend goal after making his Smoke Eaters debut at the end of the regular season.

Forwards Brayden Rotach of Castlegar and Tucker Robertson are also I-D campers who made the regular season ending trip to Vernon and West Kelowna.

Dylan Danyluk comes back to I-D camp with contract in hand.

The tall forward from Saskatchewan was impressive in camp and signed with the team in mid-season.

However, Fragle points out De St. Hubert and Evaschesen knocked some signed players out of roster contention last fall, so having a contract is no guarantee.

“A commitment is good but you have to prove your worth every day and I think those two players are examples of coming to camp and earning your way on to our roster.”

Fragle was recently signed to a two-year contract extension and is a finalist for BCHL Coach Of the Year.

But after a season that included a franchise record 14-game winning streak, while guiding one of the highest scoring teams during the regular season, losing the six-game opening round series against Cranbrook was a big disappointment and learning experience.

He says the pivotal final two games were out of character for the Trail troupe.

“To say we’re only going to get two goals in games five and six (in total), is just not our group, we weren’t sharp, we weren’t finishing off plays,” said Fragle.

“We had some chances in both games, when you reflect back, the first four games, it’s even, in games five and six we didn’t raise to the challenge,”

The Smokies will also have an I-D camp this June in the Seattle area.


Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNowNews Alerts.

Drew Wilson
Drew Wilson
Drew brings more than four decades of experience to the Kootenay newsroom. His career has taken him across Ontario, the Northwest Territories and B.C. Drew combines his love of radio and community with his passion for sports.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

First Nations leaders setbacks in reconciliation should spur reflection this Canada Day

Canada Day this year comes amid a surge in national pride among Canadians, however, First Nations leaders across the province say Canada Day should also be an opportunity to reflect on the country’s colonial history.

B.C. weighs stripping tenant protections from supportive housing residents

A new working group is exploring the possibility of removing supportive housing from British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Act in an effort to address safety concerns at the facilities.

Commercial logging isn’t happening in BC parks; says B.C. Minister

When it comes to commercial logging, BC parks are off-limits.

B.C. receives improved rating on interprovincial trade: CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has praised British Columbia on making strides toward removing interprovincial trade barriers over the last year, but claims there’s still more work to be done. 

Majority of British Columbians optimistic about Canada’s future: poll

A new poll finds Canadian pride is surging as the country prepares to mark its 158th birthday on Tuesday.
- Advertisement -