As a rookie last season, Brady Magarrell led all Beaver Valley Nitehawks first-year players with 34 points in 37 games. Those totals also ranked third on the team.
He returns to a Nitehawks lineup with many familiar faces, giving him the confidence to perform at his best. The 6-1, 170-pound forward from Coaldale, Alberta is off to a scorching start with four goals and 11 points in four games.
“I think a lot of it has to do with the players around me,” said Magarrell of his strong opening. “We have a good group this year and I’m playing with some good players as well. I think it has to do with the players around me.”
Magarrell has primarily skated alongside rookies Connor Smith and Michiel Leenders, who appeared in 13 games with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League over the past two seasons. A Calgary native, Leenders piled up 75 points in 42 high school games with St. John Bosco last year.
Magarrell said the trio has already developed strong chemistry.
“We are like-minded, play fast, and in the offensive zone we’ve got some skill. We think the game the same and end up being in the right spots,” he said. “We’re constantly looking for each other.”
Magarrell’s off-season training focused on improving his speed, strength and agility. With the Nitehawks, he’s been able to build on that foundation as the team skates twice a day and spends time in the gym.
“We are constantly working on our craft and trying to perfect it,” he said.
His focus this year is to keep getting faster, sharpen his game sense and make quick plays. Early into his second season, he’s already finding it easier to read plays and execute compared to his rookie year. He credits the opportunities he’s getting and the linemates he’s playing with as a major factor.
Nitehawks head coach-general manager Terry Jones said Magarrell has been consistently creative and hard-working since his return.
“He has a great approach to practice, talking with linemates and trying new ideas,” added Jones. “Brady and his linemates have had excellent chemistry since they started playing together.”
Jones also noted that Magarrell’s love for the game and enthusiasm are contagious with his teammates.
Netminder returns home to Creston Valley
Brody Rotar recently signed with his hometown Thunder Cats and has earned a win in two games, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against average.
“I felt my first two games with Creston went well, but there is always room for improvement,” said Rotar, a fifth-round selection of the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, 102nd overall in 2023. “The first game I played at home I was a little nervous in front of my hometown crowd. I haven’t played in the Johnny (John Bucyk Arena) for six years. I was glad I was able to settle my nerves.”
This season, Rotar plans to work on playing the puck more, challenging shooters more aggressively and showing greater patience. He will also affiliate with the Hurricanes.
“Our goalie coach Simon is great to work with,” Rotar added. “I’m hoping his knowledge, teachings and advice will help get me to the next level.”
“Rotar is an exciting young goaltending prospect with significant upside,” said Thunder Cats assistant coach/goalie coach Simon Zurawski on the team’s social media. “Standing at 6-2, he possesses excellent size for the position, allowing him to cover the net effectively and challenge shooters with his imposing frame. As a local kid playing for us, he also brings a strong connection to the community.”
Rotar is one of 11 WHL draft picks on KIJHL rosters this season. Here are the other players:
- Beaver Valley Nitehawks: Maddox Gandha (2023, 7, #142 Brandon – listed with Calgary) | Brady Walker – listed by Calgary.
- Golden Rockets: Beck Boiteau (2021, 8, #163 Everett)
- Kamloops Storm: Ryan Pederson (2023, 8, #169 Prince George)
- Kelowna Chiefs: Carter Rebman (2024, 11, #226 Edmonton)
- Merritt Centennials: Sam Saskiw (2022, 9, #178 Spokane) | Ryker Swanson (2023, 8, #174 Kamloops)
- Princeton Posse: Brock Heidecker (2023, 5, #101 Tri-City)
- Quesnel River Rush: Gavyn Schaufele (2023, 12, #263 Seattle)
- Sicamous Eagles: Levi Dewitt (2023, 10, #199 Edmonton)
- Williams Lake Mustangs: Jackson Dikur (2023, 6, #129 Seattle)
Coyotes head coach Playfair named to Team BC for WHL Cup
“I am very excited about the opportunity to represent our province on a stage like this,” said Playfair. “For me it is meaningful, being from Fort St. James and having lived and played all over B.C., it truly is home for me in every sense.”
Playfair said the chance to work with some of B.C.’s top athletes is a privilege he doesn’t take for granted.
“We have tons of great coaches in B.C. – from minor hockey all the way through Juniors. To be selected to help on the staff is an honour. I am looking forward to competing at a high level with young athletes who are beginning their own hockey journeys. At this age, the players are all constantly looking to make jumps to higher levels. Getting to work, teach and compete with these kids against other provinces is a challenge.”
Former Knight earns athletic honour
Former North Okanagan Knights forward K-T Walters of Vernon has been named the Cox Health Drury Athletics Athlete of the Week, the team announced on Sept. 30.
Walters led the Drury University Panthers to a pair of wins over Davenport, scoring a hat trick in American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) play. The Panthers are 8-0 to start the season with Walters and KIJHL alum Luke Aston (Revelstoke Grizzlies) serving as captains.
Walters has six goals and four assists through the first eight games. He is in his second season with the Panthers after beginning his collegiate career in the BCIHL with the Okanagan Lakers, where he registered 27 points in 20 games.
Over three seasons with the Knights (now Quesnel River Rush), Walters tallied 56 goals and 120 points in 93 regular season games. He added 18 points in 15 playoff contests.
The Panthers roster is stacked with 17 KIJHL alumni. Among them is former Princeton Posse forward Tyson Horiachka, who scored his first collegiate goal last weekend. Aston leads the team with 11 points in eight games. In goal, former Grizzlies netminder Jozef Kuchaslo has six wins with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. He earned his first shutout of the season in his first start, a 22-save effort.
Also read: The first KIJHL Notebook
