Thompson Rivers coach pleased with progress in team's inaugural season

It’s been a success from the opening puck drop.

The return of college hockey to Kamloops has been nothing short than remarkable. After being away from the sport for over 10 years, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have been ‘the’ story on the local sports scene this fall.

Funded by a community based committee, the WolfPack have been enjoying success at the gate and on the ice as they sit in second place in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League with eight wins and four losses.

“I think that the season has gone well so far," says head coach Chris Hans. “Our record is respectable and for the most part, the level of the play in the league has been excellent.”

Like those involved in the program, Hans had no idea how the concept of a college hockey team would fly again in Kamloops. Any doubts were answered on September 26th when over a thousand people were at Memorial Arena to witness the WolfPack’s inaugural game against Okanagan College.

“Opening night was electric,” Hans says. “Having links to the past (Pat O’Brien, Terry Bangen, Don Schultz) was special.”

Helping fuel an increased ‘buzz’ in the community about the program has been the product: both the WolfPack and the other clubs in the BCIHL.

“The overall level of competition has been a pleasant discovery,” Hans explains. “We knew little about it but we’ve had some great games against SFU, UFV, OC and TWU.”

When it came to the reaction in the community?

“I think the positive reaction we have received from fans and the media attention is a reflection of what a great hockey community Kamloops is," Hans goes on to say. “I know from speaking to other teams that we are the envy of the league. As one unnamed coach commented “your fans make it (Memorial) a very hard place to play in”. That’s awesome and we really appreciate everyone’s support.”

After three wins to open the campaign, The ‘Pack wound up on a three game losing skid before rebounding with three straight victories before the break.

“I have been quite satisfied with our development as a team to date,” says Hans. “While we have a ways to go to reach our season’s goals, our players are very motivated. Attendance at off ice training and on ice practice has been great. It reflects in our 8 and 4 record.”

Hans has coached at many levels of hockey but never at the collegiate level. How does he assess his first half season?

“There are always preseason apprehensions and this season is no different. Fortunately, I had coached some of our players in the past (Korey Gannon, Jassi Sangha, Joel Leonard) and knew the level of their play and knew what quality individuals they are.”

He does admit that quirks in the schedule where they don’t play for three weeks at a time have been one of his greatest challenges.

“It’s been difficult to adjust to and we’ll have to look at alternatives (ie: exhibition games) in future seasons. It’s hard to maintain focus with long breaks in competition.”

Hans is looking forward to the WolfPack’s second half, which begins January 8th in Victoria.

“We play in six of eight weekends in January and February. Half of those games are at home where UVIC, UFV and SFU get to experience warm Kamloops hospitality at Memorial Arena.”

Their first home games are January 23rd and 24th against UVic.

ICE CHIPS: The WolfPack have three players in the top 20 in BCIHL scoring. Jassi Sangha (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) has 8 goals and 12 assists in the first 12 games. That is good enough for seventh place. Joel Leonard (3rd year, forward, Kamloops, BC) stands ninth in scoring with six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. Jose Reyes (1st year, forward, Kamloops, BC) is 12th in scoring with 11 goals and six assists. Goaltender Brock Fraser (1st year, Kamloops, BC) is fourth in average at 3.58. He has five wins in six starts with one shutout and a saves percentage of .885.