With puck drop on the 2025-26 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season coming on Sept. 19, check out your local Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
It’s Landon Uzeloc’s turn as the Nitehawks’ No.1 goalie. Head coach-general manager Terry Jones is counting on the Trail product to guide the team to a season which they hope ends with a KIJHL championship.
“Based on his play last year, we felt like Landon had some of the best stats in the league,” said Jones, of the goalie who went 13-2-0 in 19 regular season games with a 2.30 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
“However, injuries and illness held him back a little bit. I think he’s poised to be one of the best goalies in the league. We just need him to stay healthy. He was outstanding in the playoffs for us last year.”
Last season the Nitehawks finished second in the Neil Murdoch Division with a record of 30-11-3 in 44 games. They lost in the second round to the eventual KIJHL Teck Cup champion Grand Forks Border Bruins.
Returning Players: F- Ollie Clement (43-19-14-22), Jonas Bourchier (37-14-11-25), Connor Drake (21-7-13-20), Owen Dickson (40-7-13-20), Ty Noseworthy (35-10-8-18), Brock Robertson (21-5-6-11), , D-Ryan Neufeld (42-3-18-21), Liam Ray (captain – 19-5-13-18), Sam Chartres (33-4-10-14), Mason Dixon (34-2-7-9), Jack Bodel (22-1-6-6), Davis Marino (15-0-1-1), G- Landon Uzeloc.
Acquisitions: Jager Marshall (via trade from Red Lake Miners – Superior International Junior Hockey League – 35-8-8-16), Tyler Ferguson (via Trade from Mission City – PJHL – 45-4-5-9)
And for the rookies…
“We hope they all stand out,” said Jones. “We really like Vance Amyotte, a defenceman from the Lloydminster Lancers U18AAA. He had a great training camp, is a great skater and we feel he can be a solid two-way defenceman.”
There will also be forwards Rhett Newton (Lethbridge United U18 JPHL) and Zackery Uphill (Airdrie Lightning U18AA) to hit the ice and excite them with their physical style.
The Nitehawks have recruited three goalies to battle for the backup position.
This season, Jones senses a hunger from the players.
“I think guys feel like we left a lot on the table last year. We felt like we didn’t give Grand Forks our very best game in the playoffs even though we were competitive with them,” said Jones. “We know we’ve got lots to improve. I feel at this time of year, you’re always excited about the possibilities for your group. A lot of optimism.”
Jones likes that their recruits can potentially be “as strong as our veteran players.”
“I really like the skill, talent and work ethic they have and how they competed to get to this point,” he added.
This season, their bench will have a new, yet familiar face on it with alum Jeremy Lucchini as an assistant coach. The 28-year-old played four years in U Sports with York University and professionally in Germany and France. He will work with their defenceman.
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