Brett Merner is one of eight returning players from the 2022-23 Clippers team that won the Coastal Division regular season title. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Back on Ice

Nanaimo Clipper veterans excited for new BCHL season

Sep 3, 2023 | 5:15 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers have begun a two-day training camp with two full teams.

Thirty-five players showed up for the first training sessions and intra-squad games on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2.

Brett Merner, the longest serving member of the team, will be one of the team leaders this year. He has high expectations after appearing in the BCHL finals his first year and winning the Coastal Division regular season title in the 2022-23 campaign.

“I obviously have more of a leadership role but I don’t think it’s going to change who I am. I’ve been a leader since I’ve been here and I’m excited to take more of a role and lead these guys to a championship point.”

Merner, Grant Babcock and Matt Lahey are the only returnees on defence this year but Merner is impressed with the newcomers.

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“It’s early and we’ll get a better read as we get into camp. From the looks of it we’ve got a solid group and that’s been a trend here the last couple of years, having a solid D core.”

Forward Joel Plante is entering his second year with Clippers and his third BCHL season.

He’s been active through the summer hoping to take his game to next level.

“I’m trying not to put to much pressure on myself but I’ve been working on my whole game. Trying to get more power, explosiveness and trying to put on more good weight. I’ve been super focused and dialed in.”

Plante is one of five forwards coming back from last season and will certainly take on a larger role this year.

He plans to lend a hand as the many new faces adjust to their new team.

“We have some young guys coming in and I’ll try to help them as much as I can. I’ll try to give them my two cents and share some of the things I went through. I’ll support the boys anyway I can.”

It won’t be long until the Clippers are into exhibition games with a road preseason contest scheduled for Sunday Sept. 3 against the Victoria Grizzlies.

Nanaimo will then play a home and home set with Alberni Valley Sept. 8-9, a home and home with Victoria Sept. 15-16 and a single game against Cowichan Valley sandwiched in between at Frank Crane Arena on Sept. 13.

The Clippers will open the BCHL regular season against the Capitals at home on Sept. 22.

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