KIJHL

Briar McNaney has been hired as the Nelson Leafs’ interim head coach. Photo: Submitted

Following line brawl and suspensions Nelson Leafs hire new interim head coach

Briar McNaney arrives after several years coaching Columbia Valley

 

Nelson head coach Adam DiBella addresses Leafs players during a training camp skate. DiBella resigned after he was suspended for the remainder of the KIJHL season. Photo: Tyler Harper

UPDATED: Kootenay head coach resigns after season suspension for line brawl in Nelson

The KIJHL says it is the harshest suspension handed out in the last decade

 

The Fernie Ghostriders collect teddy bears thrown onto the Fernie Memorial Arena ice during the 2022 Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 10, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie Ghostriders hold Teddy Bear Toss

Teddies collected go to the Fernie Salvation Army for distribution to the community

The Fernie Ghostriders collect teddy bears thrown onto the Fernie Memorial Arena ice during the 2022 Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 10, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Fernie’s Ethan MacDuff scored twice, including the game-winner, lifting the Ghostriders to a 3-2 KIJHL overtime win against the hometown North Okanagan Knights Saturday, Oct. 29, in Armstrong. (@kijhlghostrider photo)

MacDuff leads on Fernie Ghostriders to KIJHL win over North Okanagan

Lloydminster, Alta. player scores twice, including overtime winner, in 3-2 victory over hometown Knights

Fernie’s Ethan MacDuff scored twice, including the game-winner, lifting the Ghostriders to a 3-2 KIJHL overtime win against the hometown North Okanagan Knights Saturday, Oct. 29, in Armstrong. (@kijhlghostrider photo)
The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are on a two-year probation for alleged hazing. (Photo by Kelsey Yates)
The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are on a two-year probation for alleged hazing. (Photo by Kelsey Yates)
The Fernie Ghostriders were geared up for the first game of the exhibition season against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on Sept. 7, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Fernie Ghostriders were geared up for the first game of the exhibition season against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on Sept. 7, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Ghostriders raise their sticks at the conclusion of their 2021-2022 season, after losing their playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies in game six on March 1, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders play valiant game six against the Rockies, lose playoff series in overtime

The playoff series concluded 4-2 for Columbia Valley, ending the 2021-2022 season for Fernie

The Ghostriders raise their sticks at the conclusion of their 2021-2022 season, after losing their playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies in game six on March 1, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Fernie Ghostriders goalie Dylan Lacroix (#31) prepares for the second period at game four of the playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The scoreboard reads 0-3 for the Rockies. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders take heavy loss in playoff game, head for do-or-die match against Rockies

Game five of the playoff series ended 7-0 for the Columbia Valley Rockies

Fernie Ghostriders goalie Dylan Lacroix (#31) prepares for the second period at game four of the playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The scoreboard reads 0-3 for the Rockies. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Ghostriders were defeated 2-6 in game four of their playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies on Feb. 26, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Rockies return with a vengeance, defeat Ghostriders 6-2 to tie playoff series

The Ghostriders had taken the lead in the series the night before with a 4-3 win

The Ghostriders were defeated 2-6 in game four of their playoff series against the Columbia Valley Rockies on Feb. 26, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Ghostriders celebrate a 4-3 victory over the Columbia Valley Rockies in the third game of their playoff series on Feb. 25, 2022, at the Fernie Memorial Arena. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders take the lead in playoff series against the Rockies with 4-3 win

Fernie turned up the heat on Columbia Valley in the third period to secure the win

The Ghostriders celebrate a 4-3 victory over the Columbia Valley Rockies in the third game of their playoff series on Feb. 25, 2022, at the Fernie Memorial Arena. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Fernie Ghostriders line up for the national anthem before their last game of the 2021-2022 regular season on Feb. 19, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders take one win in first two games of playoffs, tied in series against Columbia Valley Rockies

The first game of the series saw a Ghostrider loss 2 to 5, with the second ending in a win 5 to 2

The Fernie Ghostriders line up for the national anthem before their last game of the 2021-2022 regular season on Feb. 19, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Fernie Ghostriders and the Creston Valley Thunder Cats had a combative first period at the final game of the 2021-2022 regular season at the Fernie Memorial Arena on Feb. 19, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders conclude regular season with combative first period, victory against Creston

The Ghostriders will be facing the Columbia Valley Rockies in the playoffs starting Feb. 22

The Fernie Ghostriders and the Creston Valley Thunder Cats had a combative first period at the final game of the 2021-2022 regular season at the Fernie Memorial Arena on Feb. 19, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
File photo of Fernie Ghostriders logo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Ghostriders members test positive for COVID

Players with the Ghostriders and three other teams have tested positive, forcing the postponement of three games

File photo of Fernie Ghostriders logo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Castlegar Rebels, seen here during a game in December, are among the four KIJHL teams to report positive COVID-19 cases on their rosters. Photo: Jim Bailey

UPDATED: KIJHL games postponed after 4 teams report COVID-19 cases

Kelowna, Beaver Valley, Castlegar and Fernie each have infected players

The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and Castlegar Rebels, seen here during a game in December, are among the four KIJHL teams to report positive COVID-19 cases on their rosters. Photo: Jim Bailey
Fans tossed teddy bears and other winter-wear onto the ice of the Fernie Memorial Arena for the annual Teddy Bear Toss after a goal by Ghostriders’ Dayton Nelson (#15) in the second period on Dec. 11, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Two wins and a Teddy Bear Toss for the Ghostriders over the weekend

The Fernie Ghostriders sit at third place in their division after the weekend wins

Fans tossed teddy bears and other winter-wear onto the ice of the Fernie Memorial Arena for the annual Teddy Bear Toss after a goal by Ghostriders’ Dayton Nelson (#15) in the second period on Dec. 11, 2021. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
The Fernie Memorial Arena. File photo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘Nice to start getting back to normal’: Fernie arena back to full spectator capacity

Interior Health announced the lifting of the regional COVID-19 order on Nov. 30

The Fernie Memorial Arena. File photo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Beaver Valley Nitehawks coach and GM Terry Jones was suspended eight games after two players were found to have played games despite not being completely vaccinated. Photo: Jim Bailey

KIJHL team fined, coach suspended for COVID-19 policy breach

Two players with the Beaver Valley Nitehawks played games despite not having two vaccine doses

Beaver Valley Nitehawks coach and GM Terry Jones was suspended eight games after two players were found to have played games despite not being completely vaccinated. Photo: Jim Bailey
The Fernie Ghostriders celebrate after scoring a goal against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on home ice on Nov. 27. The Ghostriders won the game 4-3. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

‘We just have to keep doing our thing’: Ghostriders bounce back with weekend wins

Fernie defeated the Creston Valley Thunder Cats and the Columbia Valley Rockies over the weekend

The Fernie Ghostriders celebrate after scoring a goal against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on home ice on Nov. 27. The Ghostriders won the game 4-3. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
File photo of Fernie Ghostriders logo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie Ghostriders drop in division after more weekend losses

The Ghostriders are now tied for last place in the Eddie Mountain Division

File photo of Fernie Ghostriders logo. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)