SJHL Kindersley Klippers attempting course-correct
By Jordan Parker
Your Southwest Media Group
The SJHL Kindersley Klippers injected fresh talent and a new outlook for the 2022-2023 season. But they have yet to see shining dividends for their off-season work.
Sitting last in the league with a 4-7-0-3 record, the coaching staff feels it’s only a matter of time before things click together. Assistant Coach Briar McNaney is certain of it.
“We’ve been plagued by some injuries early, but a bright spot is our new Athletic Therapist Cheyenne Epp. She’s put in so many hours to help this team,” he said.
“Sometimes freak injuries happen. You can’t prepare for them, and we’re just pushing through it right now.”
McNaney comes from the Columbia Valley Rockies and is happy to move from a Junior B position to be with the Klippers.
“I ultimately want to coach professionally, and it made sense to jump up. I had a successful few years, but I notice similarities between the Klippers now and when I began with the Rockies,” he said.
“I want to help move this team to a new, competitive level that people will sit up and notice.”
Though the Klippers have had a slow start, the coach says it’s to be expected with a new team.
The Klippers celebrate a goal against the Yorkton Terriers on October 22. PHOTO BY DOUG KLASSEN
“They’re just all coming together, and there are moans and groans that come with that for a bit. But over the last five games, we’re 3-2. We’ve beat some impressive teams,” he said.
There’s been a lot of turnover this year on both the roster and coaching staff, including two new faces between the pipes in Logan Falk and Cody Jaman.
“Both of our goaltenders are 18, and we’re very happy with them so far. Their numbers are fantastic, and they’re great to work with,” he said. “Their willingness to adapt has helped their progression.”
The coaching staff last year preached that the Klippers had to play a full 60 minutes every game, but McNaney sees a different path.
“Ask any coach, and they will say they tell the team that. But is every team perfect for an entire game? No, they aren’t,” he said.
“We can, however, teach resilience. We want the team to have as much juice as they can and build that mental stamina.”
Though much of the team is new, familiar faces, including brothers Tylin and Ethan Hilbig, Aidan Bangs, Matthew Mazzocchi, Matt Ripplinger, Cash Arnsten, Josh Pufahl, Nathan DeGraves, Brayden Koch and more, should give comfort.
“We have a good mix of guys from last year and new guys, and they’ve bonded quicker than expected. By the time camp was over, you’d think the team had been together the whole time,” he said.
“Even though we added guys after camp, it’s like they’ve been here since day one. The dressing room has a good energy.”
The assistant coach sees some strengths and weaknesses in the team to be tweaked and analyzed as the season moves forward.
“We have great goaltending, and the progression from lots of our players has been quick. We are getting good opportunities,” he said.
“But we also need to bear down and capitalize on opportunities, and then it will show in our record. We’re better than our record suggests, but we need to put pucks in the net. If we can start doing that, I’m confident in this hockey club.”
The Klippers play an away game against the La Ronge Ice Wolves on November 8, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.