Some three dozen former players were back in town for the Comox Valley Glacier Kings alumni game on Oct. 18. One has decided to make the reunion a bit more permanent.
Last Thursday at the Comox Valley Sports Centre, Team Grey edged Team Blue 9-6 as former Yeti bench boss Paul Weed along with guest coach (and current head coach) Bill Rotheisler guided their squad to victory over a team coached by Tony Wishart and guest coaches Cam Knox and Mark McNaughton (all assistant coaches with the 2012-13 Glacier Kings).
A good crowd packed the arena to see the blasts from the past lace 'em up once again in a Yeti uni. Along with pre-game player introductions and ceremonial puck drop by former Vancouver Canucks' stalwart Trevor Linden, players from the CVMHA Initiation Program skated in mini-games between periods.
"A big thank you to all the fans who came out and packed the house," the Glacier Kings posted on their website. "The Home of the Yetis was an exciting place as players from the past 20 years came together and played a spirited game. Thank you as well to Trevor Linden."
Among the players at Thursday's alumni game was Jack Kennelly. On Saturday, the Yetis announced the 20-year-old forward was rejoining his former Jr. B team.
The 6,2", 200-pound forward from Port Alice spent the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with the Glacier Kings of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League then joined the Weyburn Red Wings in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League where he amassed 42 points (16g, 26a) in 56 regular season games (and seven points in 13 playoff games) last season with the Jr. A club.
"Kennelly, who has not played yet this year, was adamant on re-joining the Glacier Kings this season," the team said on its website. "Jack will help solidify (our) spot as a Cyclone Taylor Cup contender this year."
"Jack's skill and size makes us very strong up the middle," said Knox, who manages the forwards on the bench. "His presence has already made an impact in practices, as well as a big part of the dressing room."
On Saturday night at the Sports Centre, Kennelly continued where he left off as a member of the Yetis' leadership group. Wearing an "A" on his sweater, he scored once to help the Icemen defeat the Nanaimo Buccaneers 6-1.
ICE CHIPS After adding two new teams to the league this season, the VIJHL may be in danger of losing one; according to a report in the Campbell River Mirror, Campbell River Storm owners say the club is "bleeding" financially and without some restructuring of their arena rental agreement with the Strathcona Regional District they will be forced to cease operations by December 2012 ... watch for more Glacier Kings' news in Friday's Record sports ...