With puck drop on the 2025-26 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season coming on Sept. 19, kijhl.ca is providing fans with a preview on all 21 teams. Next in the Quick Shift series are the 100 Mile House Wranglers.
The Wranglers won the Doug Birks division regular season championship last season with a record of 25-15-1-3. They lost in the third round of the playoffs in five games to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
Second-year head coach-general manager Levi Stuart has liked the camaraderie and chemistry from his group since the start of camp.
“The returnees were all back here three weeks ago – two weeks before camp because of the connection they made at the end of last year,” he said. “They have that much excitement to come and get back at it, get rolling again and be a part of each other’s lives. The brotherhood built in the dressing room is huge and a big part of winning for me – having guys that are all connected and striving towards the same goals.”
Returning Players: F- Ethan Davey (43-25-33-58), Jaden Rusznak (37-16-22-38), Nelson Webster (42-10-25-35), Nash Hilworth (32-19-12-31), Brodie Gohmann (44-11-20-31), Luke McFarlane (35-14-5-19), Hudson Hofstrand (34-4-2-6), D- Landon Janz (42-8-23-31), Kole Duquette (43-7-21-28), Dawson Harden (26-2-9-11), Ethan Hofstrand (20-0-5-5), Camden Bowman (21-0-5-5).
Acquisitions: Nexon Hiebert (via trade from the Merritt Centennials – 4-0-0-0), G- Emerson Willis (signed from Quesnel River Rush – 3 GP | 2.63 GAA | .930 SP).
Rookies: F- Kieran Ganga – Bellingham Blazers – USPHL Premier (43-34-30-64), Kieran Kitteringham – Titans Hockey U18 – JPHL (30-5-13-18), Dylan Toews – Okanagan Rockets U18AAA – BCEHL (36-2-10-12), Jagger Hiebert – Thompson Blazers U18AAA (36-2-4-6), Trace Reid – Williams Lake U18 (56-30-43-73), James Michel – Northstars Hockey Academy – JPHL (21-2-2-4), D-Brodie Malone – Vancouver Whales U18 – Premier Hockey League (12-5-7-12), Austin Watts – St. John Bosco High -USHS-CA (53-12-21-33), G-Dawson Groen – Winnipeg Wild U18AAA (18 GP15-2-1 | 2.00 GAA |.919 SP.).
Team Outlook: It’s a large returning group that made it to the final four in the KIJHL playoffs. Stuart said the goal is to take another step and “strive towards winning a championship.”
In goal, Stuart likes his young tandem with Willis and Groen. Their defensive play has been strong and he likes their speed and physicality, which is key to their game.
“We like to get on the forecheck and try to play similar to the Florida Panthers,” he said. “We’re protecting the middle of the ice and playing defence-first hockey – letting the offence go from there. It’s been great to see the speed and commitment to defence.”
