The Kootenay ICE season ended 2 months earlier than last season and today the players are having their exit meetings and will bring a close to 2011-12.
The first 27 games of the season the ICE were playing the style of hockey they did in the playoffs while most of the other teams will trying to find their identity.
On November 30th they were 19-5-1-2, on a 6-game winning streak.
The last 45 games they went 17-21-5-2 and failed to win more than 2 games in a row the rest of the season.
Including the playoffs they lost when they had a lead or were tied in the 3rd period in 25 games. I believe they earned 9 overtime points but that was a loss of a potential 41 other points. Remember, 1 more win and they finish 5th in the final standings and not 8th.
In trying to figure out what happened ... mistakes, bad luck, bad penalties, rookies learning, leadership, goaltending, etc, the confusing part is why they were great for 2 periods and not the 3rd.
In being the defending champions and just being the Kootenay ICE they always have to face an opposition who were geared up to play them and the ICE never had an easy night.
We will hear in the coming days where some players will still be playing this season.
Nathan Lieuwen, Joey Leach and Drew Czerwonka are NHL drafted but unsigned. At the very least they could sign Amateur Try Out contracts and play pro hockey.
Max Reinhart is signed and could be in Abbotsford for the rest of the season and even play for Calgary.
Joe Antilla and Jesse Ismond could also have pro options or decide on their future over the summer.
Sam Reinhart should be receiving consideration to play of Canada at the Under-18 tournament April 12-22. The event is mainly for 17 year-olds but the 16-year-old is still eligible. The Head Coach is Red Deer's Jesse Wallin.
The ICE had 8 rookies this season (4 17-year olds, 4 16-year olds) and could have 7 1st year players next season, one or two of them could be import players.
They had 8 19-year-olds and only 3 can return as over-agers next season.
Max Reinhart is gone.
The status of Czerwonka and Leach will be big factors in the final decisions.
Luke Paulsen, John Neibrandt, Elgin Pearce, Dylen McKinlay and Brock Montgomery are the other options.
The ICE are coming off 2 great Bantam Drafts and are a couple of years away from being a major contender and it's going to be an exciting training camp.
The players on the list of potential new players are (listed in no particular order) ...
Goalie - Wyatt Hoflin (17)
Defense - Tanner Faith (17), Kyle Krabben (17), Jordan Steenbergen (16), Matthew Murray (16), Carter Forsyth (16)
Forward - Luke Philp (17), Jesse Wood-Shatz (17), Jakson Elynuik (17), Doug Morris (17), Ian Williams (17), Zachary Zborosky (16), Collin Shirley (16), Kyle O'Connor (16)