Having started the 2017–18 season with three consecutive losses, Comox Valley Glacier Kings head coach Joey Ewing knows his team needs to step it up.
The Glacier Kings opened the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) regular season on Sept. 2 with a 5-0 loss at home to the Campbell River Storm, who were last year’s VIJHL champions and provincial silver medalists.
A few nights later, the Kings fell 5-0 again, this time to the Victoria Cougars, who won the south Vancouver Island division last season and finished runners up to the Storm in the VIJHL playoffs. The two sides played again on Sept. 9, with the Cougars narrowly defeating the Kings 4-3.
But despite the rocky start, coach Ewing is confident in his crop of players this season. The team will look to build on last year’s third-place finish in the south division and .500 record.
“With the structure we have and the kids we have coming back, I think it’s the best team I’ve had here in five years, so I’m expecting us to be somewhere near the top of the league,” he said.
Starting the season with games against the league’s top two teams from last year is no easy task, especially with a short line up. According to Ewing, seven players were unavailable against the Storm on Sept. 2 due to injuries.
After consecutive 5-0 defeats to start the season, the Glacier Kings fared much better in their Sept. 9 rematch against the Cougars. After going down 4-0 within the first 25 minutes of play, the home team battled back to make the Cougars sweat. Cole Ovado was the home side’s star performer, with two goals and an assist on the night.
The Glacier Kings ultimately outshot Victoria 34-20 in the return fixture.
“I think if you take away that first period, this was a 3-0 hockey game,” said Ewing. “The thing is, you know you have to start good or else you’re climbing a hill. We’re going to figure it out — I’m positive here.
According to Ewing, the most noticeable change in the team since last season is its leadership.
“Kids are here to play hockey,” he said. “They’re not here to goof around or just have a good time. A lot of guys quit hockey a year ago, but now they’re back to finish out their careers.”
“They just want to play hard. It’s the attitude of the team.”
The Glacier Kings will feature 10 rookies this season. They will look for guidance from team captain and winger Jake McKenzie, who is suiting up for his third season with the Glacier Kings.
“The first time playing juniors is a bit different from minor hockey, but once they’re on the same page, everyone is good,” said McKenzie of the influx of rookies. “Half the time they’re some of the best out there.
“They’ve got something to prove.”
Ewing says the biggest focus for the team this year will be just that — “focus.”
“That’s the main thing we’ve talked about this year — putting all other things aside and just focusing on hockey, focusing on being on time and working hard every shift,” he said. “That’s what we’re going to preach this year, and if you don’t do it, you don’t play. We’ve all bought into the system and that’s how we’re going to do it.”
The Glacier Kings’ season will continue on Sept. 15 with a home game against the Westshore Wolves.
