Braves begin another season against Canadian teams
They are the Americans playing amongst the Canadians – and it’s something that’s really special, according to Mike Bay.
The sixth-year head coach and his Spokane Braves, the only team from the United States in the 15-team Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, opened their season last weekend with three road losses, including a shootout loss, and are set for their home opener at Eagles Ice-A-Rena on Saturday night, when they host the Kamloops Storm.
“It’s the best competition, and it’s such a unique situation,” said Bay of Spokane playing in the KIJHL. “We get to play the best guys from (British Columbia) that aren’t playing Junior A or Major Junior Hockey yet, and there’s not many situations like this across the whole United States – where there are 16 teams and only one U.S.-based team.”
Although winning isn’t what Bay stresses with his team, there is one milestone the Braves have yet to reach.
Founded in 1972, the Braves are the KIJHL’s longest active member and have never won the league championship. They won their division in 1978-79, 1983-84, and the 1991-92 seasons.
“I think as long as I’m here it won’t happen,” Bay said. “We have pretty young guys and that’s not the goal or our focus, it’s not what it’s about at all. We want to make the playoffs, of course, because we are preparing guys for the next level, especially our American guys. Of course I like to win, but that’s not what it’s all about – it’s about trying to make them better people and better hockey players.”
The KIJHL is considered the premier Junior B league in Canada. The Braves, an affiliate of the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, have produced several players who have moved on to the NHL and WHL.
Some notable former Braves: Sean Zimmerman, Spokane Chiefs and New Jersey Devils draft pick; Derek Ryan, Spokane native and former Chief; Seth Compton, current Chief; and Scott Parker, on the Colorado Avalanche roster.
This season, there are rookies everywhere on the Braves’ roster. Fourteen players are Spokane natives and five veterans dot the 20-man roster – defenseman Jacob Walsh and forwards Cam Sargent (captain), Connor Olstad, Alex Lelwica and Kyle Bacon.
Key newcomers are forward Bret Kellogg, young defenseman Tanner Slarks, who was impressive at this year’s Chiefs’ camp, and goalkeeper Cash Ulrich.
“We’re going to be good,” Bay said. “It reminds me of the first year I coached when I had so many good, young, new guys. It takes time to adjust to it – the level of play and the overall grind of junior hockey.”