New Nanaimo Clipper forwards like William Gendron and Rylan Yates have helped the team to 3-1 start. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Fitting In

VIDEO: New Clippers making their mark in Nanaimo

Oct 5, 2022 | 9:20 AM

NANAIMO — A new crop of Clippers are finding their way on a new team in a.city.

California native Rylan Yates and Quebec born Willyam Gendron are the top newcomers on Nanaimo’s scoring list.

Yates, who has three points already, said the team is hungry to build on a 3-1 start after splitting their last two games against Powell River and Victoria.

“I’m getting used to a new coaching staff and new players and I think this team is gelling pretty quickly. We’re heading in the right direction.”

Gendron has two goals in his first four games and has found chemistry playing along side a Clipper veteran.

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“I’ve been playing with Jeremie Payant and everything is going really great between us. We have a pretty good team and I feel like we’re going to be a contender this year.”

Yates joined the Clippers after a 31 point season in Odessa of the NAHL last year.

He was drawn to Nanaimo because of the lifestyle and the strong reputation of the BCHL.

“I think it’s the best place to play junior hockey and the league itself is very skilled. It’s high paced and the players get a ton of exposure. Every NCAA Division 1 school is watching this league.”

In the 2021-22 season Gendron had 44 points with Hawkesbury of the CCHL.

He felt Nanaimo would be a good fit for him to round out his junior hockey career.

“My goal for coming to the BCHL is to be prepared enough to make the jump to Sacred Heart University next year, so I can be good enough to perform there too.”

The Clippers lost their home opener on Friday, Sept. 30 by a 6-4 score to Powell River but won the next night 3-1 over the Victoria Grizzlies.

Next up the Clippers have home dates with Cowichan Valley on Friday, Oct. 7 and Langley on Sunday, Oct. 9.

The Cowichan game features two teams at the top of the Coastal Division with identical 3-1 records.

Yates is excited about the challenge.

“The guys are fired up and these points matter early. Any opportunity we have to get points we need to take advantage.”

CLIP NOTES:

Kai Daniells leads the Clippers in scoring with five points. Two of his goals have been game winners.

Shane Shelest made his first BCHL start on Oct. 1 against Victoria. He stopped 38 of 39 shots and was named the game’s first star.

Nanaimo begins their seven game season series against Cowichan Valley on Oct. 7. Last season the Clippers had a 4-2-1 record against their division rivals.

The Clippers had four players out due to injury in their last game with Skyler Cameron, Brett Merner, Coleman Jenkins and Ben Brant on the sidelines. Speaking after the Oct. 1 game assistant coach Bob Beatty was hopeful at least some of those players would return to the line up for the next game.

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