The Fernie Ghostriders have seen some roster shifts in the past few weeks, including losing their now-former goalie McCoy Bidewell.
Bidewell’s last game with the Ghostriders was at the Fernie Memorial Arena against the Kimberley Dynamiters on Nov. 12, said head coach Ty Valin.
“Our goaltender earned himself a job in the BCHL. He moved on from the organization (KIJHL) which is a very good thing for him, and for the organization, because that’s what we’re here to do, is move players on to the next level.”
During his stint with the Ghostrider, Bidewell had eight wins, three losses, and three shutouts. His goals-against-average was 1.60, with his save percentage at 0.959. He was named as the KIJHL’s 2nd Star of the week for the period ending Oct. 17 and for the period ending Oct. 31. He has moved up to the Junior A Cowichan Valley Capitals
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“It’s always tough seeing players leave. But at the same time, for the Bidewell one, you’re happy. You’re happy for him, because he’s gotten a great opportunity. He’s worked for it, and he’s earned it.”
In place of Bidewell, the Ghostriders brought in goalie Dylan Lacroix (#31), who comes to Fernie from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Junior A Neepawa Titans.
Fernie’s new goalie has so far played four games in a Ghostriders jersey, and in one case defended the net against the top-in-division Columbia Valley Rockies for a shutout, 3-0, earning him 1st Star for the game.
“It’s a tough transition for goalies, especially in the middle of the year. But he’s starting to settle in nicely for us,” Valin said.
The Ghostriders have also made two other roster shifts in the last couple of weeks.
Defenceman Nick Woodrow moved on to the Golden Rockets in a trade for forward Jock Michael (#13). They also received defenceman Kaden Slobodian (#25) from the Comox Valley Glacier Kings of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
“You need to make trades from time to time, to make your team better and keep pace with the other teams. Because other teams are constantly getting better, and you don’t want to fall behind.”
The Ghostriders are scheduled to play Friday (Dec. 3) against the Castlegar Rebels on their ice and on Saturday (Dec. 4) against the Columbia Valley Rockies on home ice.
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josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
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