FERNIE GHOSTRIDERS

RECRUITING GUIDE 2020-2021

Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club

OUR PROGRAM

The Ghostriders are considered one of the premier teams and offer one of the best junior hockey experiences

in the KIJHL. The Ghostriders pride themselves on offering a program with all the qualities of a Junior A

program at the Junior B level that provides all the resources to move players on to higher levels of junior and

college hockey. In order to develop players for the next level both on and off the ice, the Ghostriders coaching

staff value players with a strong work ethic, high level of character and a commitment to excellence that gives

the team a competitive advantage over their opponents.

In addition to hockey, our players experience an atmosphere that makes them a role model in the community

and opportunities are provided to get leadership experiences that translate to life after the game. The

resources to develop players on and off the ice include the following and many more:

1. Professional coaching and leadership from a dedicated full-time staff;

2. Four 75 minute practice ice times per week, plus morning skates on game days;

3. Off-ice training and a season-long access to Evolution Fitness and their certified training staff;

4. Additional off ice conditioning facilities including but not limited to CrossFit, yoga, boxing, spin;

5. Mandatory community volunteer commitments on behalf of the team;

6. Weekly video analysis for team and individual preparation;

7. Room and board with a welcoming billet family organized by our Billet Coordinator (fees apply);

8. All hotel accommodations and meals provided while traveling to and from games with the team;

9. Fully-licensed equipment and team apparel package (helmet, cage, gloves, pants, bags, sticks)

10. Educational assistance for players interested in college/university hockey;

11. Player promotion assistance from coaching staff for players interested in playing higher levels

12. Nutrition/supplies provided for all games (snacks, Gatorade, tape, wax, laces)

THE KIJHL

Josh Teves (left) is a former Ghostrider who committed to the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL and currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks.

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is the premier development league at the Junior B level in

Canada. For 53 seasons, KIJHL teams have successfully developed and prepared players to move on to Junior

A and Major Junior hockey, as well as college and university programs at all levels in Canada and the United

Stats

The KIJHL consists of 20 organizations spread throughout the interior of British Columbia, with teams split

into 4 Divisions. Each team plays 47 regular season games between September and February with 16 teams

advancing to the KIJHL playoffs and competing for the league championship and a spot at the Cyclone Taylor

Cup, BC’s Junior Provincial championship in April.

Over 45 future NHL players got their start in the KIJHL, including Shea Weber, Barret Jackman, Cody

Franson, Chuck Kobasew, Adam Deadmarsh and Ray Ferraro. Countless others have earned scholarships

after progressing to leagues like the WHL and the BCHL, while many of those who finish their careers in the

KIJHL are recruited by college teams throughout Canada and the United States.

Ghostriders player are eligible to affiliate with teams in the British Columbia Junior Hockey

League and our coaching staff works hard to create these opportunities. Fernie has affiliated players

throughout the BCHL and has used its relationships with those teams to create exposure and provide as

many practice and game opportunities as possible to their players throughout the season.

PLAYER ADVANCEMENT

Development and advancement in a winning environment are the top priorities of the Fernie Ghostriders.

Our coaching staff works year-round to present opportunities for players at the Junior A level and

College/University. Over the past nine seasons, 27 Ghostriders have advanced to play Junior A or University

Hockey:

Hunter Maximnuk Jamestown University (ACHA)

Greg Susinski Jamestown University (ACHA)

Jordon Kromm Jamestown University (ACHA)

Kyle Ford La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)

Nikolas Sombrowski Weyburn Redwings (SJHL)

David Lenzin UNLV (ACHA)

Greyson Neufeld Minot University (ACHA)

Devin Nemes Selkirk College (BCIHL)

Alex Cheveldave Marian University (NCAA III)

Derek Georgopoulos Selkirk College (BCIHL)

Cavin Tilsley West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)

Austin Wells Selkirk College (BCIHL)

Jake MacLachlan Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)

Brett Perrine College of Charleston (ACHA)

Josh Teves Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

Jonathan Thompson Penn State (ACHA)

Pierce Dushenko Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

Chris Solecki Thompson River Univ. (BCIHL)

Matthew Carr Melville Millionaires (SJHL)

Anthony Gardner Coquitlam Express (BCHL)

Jeff Rayman Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Patrick Webb University of Victoria (BCIHL)

Tyler Gonzales Hamline University (NCAA III)

Stefan Seel Kindersley Klippers (SJHL)

R.T. Rice Estevan Bruins (SJHL)

Connor McLaughlin Selkirk College (BCIHL)

Kade Pilton Victoria Royals (WHL)

JEFF WAGNER: HEAD COACH/GM

Wagner is entering his third year as the Fernie Ghostriders Head Coach and General Manager,

after joining the team from the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. His combined record with the

Ghostriders is 59-26-6-7. In his first season, the team managed to improve from 17th in the

league (15-28-1-3) to 5th (26-15-4-4). Along with regular season success, the team advanced to

the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 4 years, which contributed to Wagner

receiving the Coach of the Year honors for the Eddie Mountain Division. As an assistant coach

for two years in the league he assisted the Creston Valley Thunder Cats to a 68-21-3-2, which

included a Bronze Medal at the Cyclone Taylor Cup following a record setting regular season

for the team.

Prior to his junior hockey career, Wagner coached for 6 years in Calgary splitting his time

between the Calgary Northstars and Calgary Buffaloes Associations. He also spent several

summers assisting programs with the Okanagan Hockey School in Penticton and Calgary.

During this time, he attended Mount Royal University where he obtained a Bachelor of

Business & Entrepreneurship in Sports and Recreation.

Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club

THE TOWN OF FERNIE

Fernie is a beautiful town located in Southeast British Columbia and is home to endless recreational

opportunities year round. People from around the world travel to Fernie to experience hiking,

mountain biking and golfing in the spring and summer, while the winter months offer ski/snowboard

enthusiasts 142 different runs to satisfy their adventures.

Fernie is considered a premier tourist destination; however the official population is around 5500.

One of the main sources of entertainment in the evening is the Fernie Ghostriders. The team ranks

#1 in the league for fan support, as we average over 700 people at the Fernie Memoiral Arena during

regular season games and over 1000 during the playoffs.

High school aged players attend Fernie Secondary School and assistance is provided year round to

manage their school schedule while playing junior hockey. For players looking to begin post-

secondary education, Fernie is home to the College of the Rockies, which provides a wide range of

web-based courses that are transferable to other educational facilities. The Ghostriders provide a

bursary program that can cover tuition costs for players that enroll while in Fernie.

Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club

AMENETIES

Our Facility Fernie Memorial Arena is the home of the Ghostriders. Throughout the season Ghostriders

players will have access to our pro-style dressing room and will typically practice every day Monday-

Thursday, with additional ice time provided for pre-game skates.

Off-Ice Facilities The Fernie Ghostriders will have access to Evolution Fitness and their experienced and

certified training staff throughout the hockey season. Additional off ice training will include but is not

limited to: CrossFit, boxing, spin and yoga.

Team Fees Fernie Ghostriders players are responsible for payment of an annual season fee and monthly

billet fees. The season fee covers all hockey-related activities and team equipment, while the billet fee

covers room and board with a local family, as well as hotel and meal costs during road trips. To learn about

specific fee amount for the 2018-19 season, speak with head coach Jeff Wagner

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A

GHOSTRIDER?

JEFF WAGNER

Head Coach/General Manager Cell: (403) 512-9631

Email: wagner.ghostriders@gmail.com

Web: fernieghostriders.com