Terry Jones’ commitment behind the bench has earned him coach of the year honours in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks head coach was recognized by the league this week as part of its annual awards for on-ice excellence.
“This season, Terry has done an exceptional job. Since retiring from teaching, he’s fully committed to the team, often at the rink twice a day,” said Nitehawks president Steve Piccolo. “This dedication has helped him create a strong, cohesive squad right from the start.”
Jones, the winningest coach in KIJHL history, guided the Nitehawks to a Neil Murdoch Division regular-season title with a 33-11 record and 66 points, placing them second overall in the league.
Piccolo said Jones’ impact extends beyond systems and results.
What stood out most, he said, was Jones’ ability to “foster a family-like atmosphere among the players.”
“Terry’s hands-on approach and work ethic have significantly boosted our team’s growth and performance,” said Piccolo. “His enthusiasm for the game and genuine care for each player created a positive environment that promotes teamwork and resilience.
“What’s funny is that we can’t go to a rink or a town without somebody coming up to Terry and talking to him,” he added. “He’s very well-known in the hockey community.”
Under Jones, the Nitehawks became one of the league’s most complete teams. They led the KIJHL with 208 goals while allowing 125, backed by a .910 team save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average.
Offensively, Brady Magarrell paced the team with 33 goals and 75 points in 44 games, while four players reached the 20-goal mark. In net, Landan Uzeloc recorded 13 wins in 20 games and rookie Karsten Hugenholtz won all 10 of his starts.
The Nitehawks posted a 19-5 record within their division and went undefeated in five games against the Doug Birks Division.
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