Season Preview: New Westminster Salmonbellies

Depending on who you talk to, the New Westminster Salmonbellies either under or overachieved last season. A 14-7 regular season record was followed up by a tough six-game playoff series with eventual BCJALL champion Delta. This year, they return a large core of a team that surprised many and will look to keep building on a strong 2016 campaign. 

The roster is really talented, with players like five-year dynamo Jeremy Bosher, Connor Robinson, Brine Rice and Mitchell Flintoff leading the charge on the historic wood floor. Erik Kratz and Laiton Manuel return between the pipes to form a strong tandem. 

By the numbers 

5 - It will be the fifth and final year of Jeremy Bosher’s Junior A career. The University of Denver standout is one of the rare players to complete that feat, and the years of seasoning will make him one of the more dominant players in the league again. He has 261 (119 goals, 142 assists) points in 73 career games with the Bellies, good for more than 3.5 points per game. 

108 - Connor Robinson is entering his final season with the team as well, and he’s been an absolute pain for teams to deal with. He won last year’s regular season scoring title, finishing first in assists with 56 and second in goals with 52. He was less effective in the playoffs, but still almost averaged three points per game. 

16 - This season will be dedicated in part to Cole Bevan, who is fighting non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Bevan was a mainstay on the club, playing all 21 regular season games a key faceoff and transition guy. He was 163-152 in the faceoff dot, good for a 51.7 per cent average. We wish Bevan all the luck in his continued fight to knock off cancer. 

10 - Erik Kratz was second in the league in wins, albeit sitting eight behind the leader Christian Del Bianco. But his save stats suggest a goalie who is coming into his prime at the right time. He was third in the BCJALL in GAA (7.84) and save percentage (.819). With an experienced and tough defence in front of him, expect Kratz to be in the running to be one of the best goalies once again.

Support Cole Bevan - GoFundMe

A match for Coquitlam?

Despite losing all three contests the two teams played in 2016, the Salmonbellies arguably played Coquitlam the toughest outside of Delta. 

Only 11 goals separated the teams over three games, and each game was exactly what you envisioned a Coquitlam-New West barnburner to be: tough, physical and intense games. That’s what makes the ‘Bellies an intriguing possibility as a team that can step up and challenge for a league title this year. 

All the returning talent suggests that, and the team has an excellent blend of third-year leaders and Intermediate players who can step in and be immediate difference makers. 

Strong talent in the pipeline

The performance of teams in Intermediate A doesn’t often translate to their Junior A parent club, but the individual talent coming from the BCILL to the BCJALL will surely make a difference. 

Guys like Nick Hannay, Jacob Patterson and Erik Maas have proven they can fill the net, while Naoll Degife and Matt Buchanan will be solid role players. Cam Molesworth will be someone to watch in goal, too. 

If all goes well for New Westminster this year, they can compete for one of the top spots in the league. 

Prediction: 15-6, 2nd place