With eight games left in their Island Pod season the Clippers have put an increased focus on player development. The coaches believe lessons learned from the current season will set up the organization for long term success. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Development Days

VIDEO: Clippers disappointed in results but not with progress of young players.

Apr 26, 2021 | 7:30 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers had a busy week with four games and a 1-3 record.

The coaches have kept a positive attitude through a slide which has seen the team garner five wins through 12 games of the Island Pod season.

Associate coach Colin Birkas said the organization has honed in on a commitment to player development during the BCHL season.

“These kids have been through a lot and deserve an opportunity to play and show us what they have. It hasn’t been fun the last couple of games but we have to use these 20 games the best we can long term for the Clippers.”

The Clippers had a rocky ending to their week with losses of 6-1 to the Grizzlies and 5-1 to the Bulldogs, but for rookies with NCAA aspirations like Kai Daniells, these games are about more than wins and losses.

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“Everyone is excited to be out there, especially us (rookies). We want to take advantage of the opportunity to gain the coach’s trust.”

Daniells started the season on an all-first year line with Luke Lavery and Jaeger Murdock and has seen his ice time steadily increase.

“It started me off on the right foot and propelled me into a higher spot in the line up. I really do appreciate the ice time I’ve been getting.”

The Clippers have a set of two games in a row against Alberni Valley coming up on April 28 and 30 and they’ll wrap up the week versus the Grizzlies on May 1.

With eight games remaining Birkas stressed the Clippers desire to play everybody for nearly equal minutes.

“We’ll hopefully add in another body or two this week. Our hockey staff will be able to sit back after games and discuss who’s going to be part of the solution moving forward and also identify what we need.”

Clip Notes:

With points in back to back games team captain Trevor LeDonne is tied for the Clippers scoring lead with 11 points. He is tied for third in scoring among BCHL blueliners.

The Clippers have had the fewest power plays in the BCHL after week four of the season with 37. Nanaimo is also the fourth most penalized team in the league.

Nanaimo goalies Jordan Naylor and Ethan Neitsch have been the busiest tandem on the BCHL. The Clippers have surrendered a league high 516 shots this season.

Ethan Neitsch had his first BCHL start on April 20 against the Bulldogs. In that same game Brody Waters scored his first BCHL goal. Chase Barlow recorded his first BCHL point with an assist versus Cowichan Valley on April 21.

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dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @danmarshall77