LOCAL NEWS, DELIVERED DAILY. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get the top stories sent straight to your inbox every evening.
Will St. James and Noah Caswell are two of the six new Clippers defenceman for the 2026-27 BCHL season. The Clippers are trying to build chemistry quickly in the hopes of once again being one of the league's top echelon teams. (Image Credit: Damon James (Island Images Photography))
New Faces

Clippers reforming blue line for new season

Sep 23, 2026 | 11:55 AM

NANAIMO — The new BCHL season has begun for the Clippers with an almost entirely new defence corps.

Hudson Gill is the lone veteran but only played seven games last year due to injury, and Nate Barclay was an affiliate player with the Clippers a year ago.

Noah Caswell, Will St. James, Murray Kanerva, Pherson Loehndorf, Carl-Otto Magnusson, and Daniel Tverdovsky are all new to the program.

Caswell said although the defence has only played together for a short time, they do have a lot of junior experience.

“We’re not a young group on the back end by any means. We’ve been clicking, and we’ve been switching up the pairs back and forth. It helps you figure out who you’re most comfortable with.”

Last season, Caswell played in the OJHL with Burlington and said while the BCHL is a step up, he’s adjusting well.

“I think I’ve been pretty poised with the puck. I’ve had pretty good confidence, especially coming into a new league. I’ve had some good looks, and defensively I’ve had to shut guys down who are faster and lock it down from the get-go, and I’m looking to build on that.”

St. James is another one of the newcomers from Ontario, playing last season with Kemptville.

He’s been enjoying his time in the Harbour City.

“It’s been a lot of fun, and I think I’ve been settling in well. It’s a really cool place to play, and my billets have been great, and the returning players have done a good job welcoming the new guys. We already have a really tight-knit group, so I’m excited to see what we can accomplish.”

According to St. James building team chemistry is a process both on and off ice.

“It starts in practice getting reps with each other. Getting to know each other off the ice contributes to building chemistry as well. We have a strong defence on our team, and even the forwards coming back into our zone helps. It’s going to be one of our strengths this year.”

Nanaimo only gave up two goals in each of their first two games, a 2-1 loss to Alberni Valley and a 4-2 victory against Cowichan Valley.

A big part of the credit, however, went to goalie Hugo Laring, who stopped 71 of 75 shots he faced.

Laring was given an honourable mention for the BCHL Three Stars of the Week.


The Clippers’ defensive prowess will be tested in their next game on Friday, Sept. 25, versus Blackfalds.

The Bulldogs lead the BCHL with an average of six goals scored per game and a 2-0 record.

It will be the first time Nanaimo and Blackfalds meet in BCHL competition.

They will also hook up at the BCHL Showcase on Oct. 13.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook