Clippers owner Wes Mussio is encouraged by the performance of the team on and off the ice in 2021-22 season. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Owner Weighs In

VIDEO: Clippers owner pleased with team performance on and off the ice

Dec 13, 2021 | 5:11 PM

NANAIMO — With the Clippers coming off a three game winning streak and battling for first place in the BCHL’s Coastal Division, team owner Wes Mussio couldn’t be happier.

This despite the fact the BCHL has had to navigate through COVID-19 and flooding around the province to play a 54 game season.

“It’s been a lucky year in a way,” Mussio said. “In terms of us having normality and us actually playing it’s been great.”

Nanaimo has been led offensively by the unit of Sean Donaldson, Tristan Fraser and Max Itagaki.

The trio had 13 points in a 72 hour span with wins over Coquitlam, Powell River and Alberni Valley.

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They’ve captured the attention of Clipper fans and Mussio himself.

“We got some high end talent in our recruiting and the best thing of all was we got Donaldson back. I think he’s gong to be a pro player. With him and Itagaki and Tristan Fraser that’s been an unbelievably good line.”

The team is always on the lookout for players for this current season and beyond.

To that end Coach Darren Naylor will be scouting the upcoming Mac’s Midget Tournament over the Christmas holidays.

Nanaimo, like all BCHL teams, will lose a large portion of their roster in the offseason but Mussio believes the team will keep a strong core in 2022-23.

“We’re going to have a lot of guys coming back next year and we’re going to be really good. We’re good this year but we might be even better next year.”

For the remainder of the season the Clippers will play only interdivisional games so their farthest travel will be to Powell River and Chilliwack.

Taking away travel to the interior and Washington state will reduce costs for the Clippers but Mussio would like to see the Clippers have a home and away with every team next season.

Not only so the fans have an opportunity to see all the marquee teams and players but so the Clippers can gauge their club against the other top teams in the BCHL.

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