With puck drop on the 2025-26 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season coming on Sept. 19, the KIJHL is providing fans with a preview on the Nelson Leafs.
The Leafs finished third in the Neil Murdoch division last season with a record of 19-23-1-1. They were swept from the opening round of the playoffs by the Beaver Valley Nitehawks.
They enter the season with new head coach Barry Wolff and Dale Hladun heading into his first full season as general manager and director of hockey operations.
Fan will be pleased to see the return of: F- Quinn Ramsay (44-18-19-37), Ty Nykyforuk (40-7-14-21), Connor Hovelkamp (27-8-12-20), Devon Barclay (38-11-8-19), Brendon Hall (26-6-11-17), Cale Nachai (34-5-11-16), Sebastien Conne-Correnti (36-5-9-14), Bradly Boyarski (30-3-3-6), D- Torin Thickson (32-3-7-10), Jackson MacIntosh (38-1-5-6), Julian Laqua (27-2-2-4), G- Dylan Spackman (12 GP 2-8-0 | 4.90 GAA | .889 SP).
Wolff has seen Spackman perform confidently, battling every shot and loose puck. The Red Deer native has also been composed and in 60 minutes of exhibition action, the 5-10, 165-pound goalie has a 1.99 GAA with a .950 SP.
And there are some new rookies comining to the bench: D-Nick Petropoulos – Okotoks Oilers U18AA (31-1-8-9), Chris Woolcott – Foothills Bisons U18AA (34-6-23-29).
Wolff likes their strong core, who are mature and focused.
“They are hungry to continue to learn and improve,” said Wolff. “The players are buying into establishing Leafs Nation, which is a family dynamic. We don’t let family down, we stick up for each other and battle to the end.”
Wolf is motivating players to get better everyday. From the start, coaches have pushed the need for good habits, playing for each other and the “Leafs logo.”
“The young guys are learning how to play at a higher speed, higher compete and battle level,” he said. “It’s still early, but they are learning that every shift, every goal for or against matters.”
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyNelsonNow News Alerts.
