With seven new players on the roster since Nov. 15 the Clippers are looking to find chemistry and consistency while making a second half climb up the standings. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

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Jan 9, 2025 | 1:28 PM

NANAIMO — It’s been an unprecedented year of roster change in the BCHL and within the Nanaimo Clippers organization.

A new rule which came into effect in November allows players looking to play in the NCAA to also play major junior hockey in the CHL.

As a result, there have never been more players moving back and forth between the two levels than what the league is currently experiencing.

In Nanaimo, BCHL All-Stars Joel Plante and Andrew Brown left the team in early December and the club has made several player swaps in the past two months.

The current Clippers roster features seven players who have been added since Nov. 15 or later.

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Assistant coach Gaelan Patterson is pleased with how the core players have handled integrating so many new bodies.

“We have a leader and a captain in Connor DeTurris and he’s been here for two years now. I feel like there’s a boost of energy in him now that things have changed a bit and things are looking up. We’re happy with the guys we’ve brought in and I like the way it’s going right now. The leaders are doing a good job of getting the new guys involved.”

James Johnson is a blueliner with four years of junior hockey experience.

The Ajax, Ontario product is a full two years older than everyone else on the Clipper defence.

He’s embracing a leadership role even though he’s only been with the group since Nov. 29.

“Any info I can pass on to the younger guys I’m trying to do that. I’m trying to pull my weight and contribute however I can to the team. Our effort, our attention to detail, our power play has been extremely hot. It seems it’s one or two small mistakes here and there that are throwing us out of these close games. If we cut down on those the sky’s the limit for the group we’ve got here.”

Forward Tanner Bruender has played over 100 games of junior hockey and the 2005-born winger hopes to bring both experience and offense to the club.

“When we’re playing the right way we have a lot of skill and we can beat any team in this league. Obviously, we have a lot of turnover but I think we can get that consistency down, build some chemistry and go on a winning streak.”

The Clippers play Jan. 10 at home against Powell River and Jan. 11 on the road in Cowichan Valley.

Then Nanaimo will be off for the BCHL All-Star break before returning to action in Powell River on Jan. 24.

CLIP NOTES:

Clippers forward Dylan Kinch had seven points in two games on Jan. 3 and 4 and was named the BCHL’s first star of the week. Fellow Clipper Luke Lavery had six points and was selected as the third star of the week.

Nanaimo made a future considerations deal with the Chilliwack Chiefs on Jan. 7 to add Ottawa Senators draft pick Vladimir Nikitin to the roster. He’s expected to join the club Jan. 24 in Powell River.

Three of the next four games for the Clippers are against the Powell River Kings including a home game on Jan. 10. Nanaimo has won all three previous matchups with the Kings.

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