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Dylan Kinch is taking on more responsibility early in a new BCHL season in Nanaimo. (Gary Dorland)
Building Blocks

VIDEO: Clippers Kinch taking on bigger role in first full season in Nanaimo

Oct 10, 2024 | 1:58 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers have had many ups and downs already this season.

The team is 2-3-1 after the first three weeks of the campaign and veteran Dylan Kinch is seeing signs the team is coming together.

“It’s been a small sample size but we’ve been trying to grow as a team each and every game and I think every game is getting better. We have some new faces so as a leader it’s important to get these guys integrated into our culture and starting to play the way we want to play.”

Kinch was acquired in a trade from Chilliwack in January of 2024 and has embraced the role of being a leader in what will be his final season of junior hockey.

“I’m so happy to be here and to be a leader on this team, I take a lot of pride in it. The offseason was huge for me, I had a good summer and I feel really good going into this year.”

Kinch, who will play NCAA Division 1 hockey at Long Island next year, has been playing on a line with Connor Haynes and Luke Lavery.

He’s been productive with six points in his first six games.

“I think we have some chemistry there and I think it starts off the ice where we’re pretty good buddies. It transitioned on the ice and we love playing together. That’s a big thing when it clicks and you can feed off each other.”

Clippers highlights from games against Langley, Surrey and Victoria Oct. 1-4.

Kinch and the Clippers only have a single game this weekend, on the road visiting Cowichan Valley on Oct. 11.

Nanaimo will play at the BCHL Showcase in Abbotsford and Chilliwack on Oct. 15 and 16 versus Cranbrook and Salmon Arm.

For many players, it will be a chance to show what they can do in front of college and pro scouts.

With Kinch already having a commitment he’s striving to be college ready for next fall.

“It comes from playing the right way. If I do that I think my smarts and hockey IQ will take over. That’s what I focus on going into every game, not looking at the big picture and staying present in the moment.”

CLIP NOTES:

New Clippers forward Alex Hebblethwaite was named the second star of the week in the BCHL. He had four goals in his Clippers debut in Surrey on Oct. 2 and added an assist on Oct. 4.

Nanaimo has been a very disciplined team this season with a division-low 56 penalty minutes, only Salmon Arm has fewer with 54.

Two of the Clippers next four games are against Cowichan Valley with an away game on Oct. 11 and a home contest on Oct. 18.

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