April 09, 2014

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2013 - 2014 Inaugural Season

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CELEBRATING OUR

50

TH YEAR IN BUSINESS

Success starts with the first year.

Congratulations on your inaugural season, Wranglers.

You did a great job and made us proud!

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Wrangling, the early days

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n May 2012, lassoing a junior hockey team in the Kootenay International Junior B Hockey League (KIJHL) was an elusive feat.

“The Revelstoke Grizzlies are staying in Revelstoke, and that means there won’t be a 100 Mile House Wranglers Junior B Hockey Club team playing out of the South Cariboo Rec. Centre this fall,” the 100 Mile House Free Press reported.

Fast-forward to December 2012, and the story changed.

“Club president Tom Bachynski was ecstatic when he got the news the Wranglers’ purchase of the Penticton Lakers had been accepted by the KIJHL on Dec. 6.”

The Wranglers started from scratch.

Bachynski said the team will be relying heavily on community support financially and “with a sold-out fan base.”

As it turned out, no problem there. ys

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Congratulations on your first season!

Good job, boys!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

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A

‘It feels like our family got a little bit bigger’

s puck drop approached on the club’s inaugural season, a sense of urgency was felt in the Wranglers office.

Scheduling, main camp and advertising were top priorities, and so was billeting the new influx of out-oftown players.

Billet families were needed, and local families answered the call.

It was the season of the scrapbook for a few local moms, while Chris and Andrea Thain, 108 Mile Ranch residents with three young children, took in William and Robert Orrey, twin brothers from Terrace.

“It feels like our family got a little bit bigger,” Chris said of the experience. “It’s almost like your kids are playing.

“They have teammates coming over here and we’ve met most of the players. It’s different to sit in the stands. I feel more involved.”

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Wranglers’ inaugural Spring Tryout Camp a huge success

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S

outh Cariboo Rec. Centre staff went above and beyond to help make spring camp a success in April.

Wranglers head coach and general manager Doug Rogers says they received great feedback from the players and their families about how the camp was operated.

The coach/general manager added the South Cariboo Rec. Centre is a great junior hockey facility and will assist the Wranglers in attracting quality players who will want to play in a modern building, and in front of a loud crowd.

“I was thoroughly impressed and very thankful for all the assistance received from the staff of the [SCRC] and from the 100 Mile House & District Minor Hockey Association.

It could not have been done without them,” said Rogers.

Well Done Wranglers!

and thanks for a “Great Ride”

108 Golf Resort

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and Hanger Restaurant

The Resort will be open April 1st. and Hangar due to open May 1st.

The Golf Course opens as soon as the weather and course conditions allow.

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Wranglers open season with win, much fanfare

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he 100 Mile House Wranglers survived a late blast from the Golden Rockets to win their inaugural season opener 5-4 in Golden on Sept. 13.

Fans packed the South Cariboo Rec. Centre and witnessed the historic home opener on Sept. 21, where the Chase Heat downed 100 Mile House 5-1.

Did the loss make the night any less special for the announced 682 fans in attendance?

“Absolutely not,” club president Tom Bachynski answered decisively. “To be able to sit down and look around and see how many people were

excited about it – the community responded in probably a bigger way than I expected.

Now, we have to build on that momentum. It was very exciting. I didn’t sleep much Saturday night.”

Connor Sloan, a crafty forward from West Kelowna, notched the first ever goal for the 100 Mile House Wranglers hockey club.

e t a R t Firs Season, Firstanglers!

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‘Paying the price’

A

s the Wranglers looked to end a losing streak early in the season, coach Doug Rogers and forward Luke Santerno talked about effort, sacrifice and fighting hard, which became recurring themes – better yet, part of the club’s ethos – as the season progressed.

“We need some breaks and the only way we’re going to get things bouncing our way is through hard work and our willingness to pay the price in front of the net,” Rogers said.

“I got a quick start going, but I want to get the win,” said Santerno, who finished the season as the Wranglers leading scorer with 45 points. “That’s all that matters.”

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Giving everything, every night

P

ersistence paid off for the Wranglers – as was the case on Oct. 12-13 against the Revelstoke Grizzlies – started getting the bounces, and putting together back-to-back wins.

They even took a couple contests from the KIJHL’s cream of the crop – the Kamloops Storm, division-rivals who finished first overall in the regular season.

The matchup turned into a “high energy” bout between the clubs, as the Wranglers matched-up well against them and stayed competitive in the Doug Birks Division throughout the season.

“Everyday we’re putting 100 per cent into it, and it’s paying off on the ice,” said Jayden Syrota, a defenceman from Vanderhoof and the club’s youngest member.

You’ve done us proud!

Thank you, Wranglers, for a great first season.

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. . . s i t r a e h e h t e r e h w s i e m r o u H o h t i w s i t r a e h r and ou !

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On the road: ‘the bus ride from hell’

L

better,” Low said. “It’s a good story we can hold on to.”

Further underscoring the demands of travel in the KIJHL, the Wranglers spent almost 24 hours on the road when the club left town at 9:30 p.m. on Jan 2 after practice and didn’t arrive in Fernie until 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Jan. 3 for a 7:30 p.m. game.

“We were on the bus virtually the entire time during this stretch as the highway was closed at Revelstoke, causing us to travel the southern route until we ran into a road closure on the Kootenay Pass,” explained coach Doug Rogers. “The kids missed meals and were forced to sleep on the bus due to road conditions.”

On Twitter, forward Mathieu Longhurst called it the “bus ride from hell.”

ooking forward to four consecutive home games in early December, the 100 Mile House Wranglers ended what might have felt like the longest road trip of the season.

It was only two games, but the team’s bus broke down after a contest in Osoyoos on Nov. 30, and still some 400 kilometres from home, the club spent the night stranded on the side of a road south of Penticton, nine hours in total before a charter bus was available the next morning.

Jordan Low from Prince George, a defenceman who was recently signed at the time, says the guys made the best of it, gathering at the back, telling funny stories and talking about girls.

Then they loaded their gear onto a new bus when it arrived at 8 a.m., and made it to McDonald’s in time for breakfast.

“That kind of made everything

Thank-You Wranglers and

Congratulations

on a great first season!

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What a Ride!

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Supporting our hometown team!

DONNA BARNETT MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin

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Phone: 250-395-3916 Fax: 250-395-3973 7-530 Horse Lake Road, 100 Mile House, BC Mailing Address: PO Box 95, 100 Mile House, BC, V0K 2E0 Email: donna.barnett.mla@leg.bc.ca Call or drop in: Monday to Friday 10am - 3pm …11

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What a Ride!

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Simple Elegance Photography (Erin Duff)

Official 100 Mile House Wranglers 2013-2014 (L-R back row): Greg Dwyer, Equipment Manager; Don Jones, Director/Director of Marketing; Kersti Foote, Executive Assistant; Rick Takagi, Treasurer; Tom Bachynski, Governor/President; Greg Aiken, 1st VP; Crystal Dawn Langton, Secretary/Billet Coordinator; Christian Samson, Assistant Trainer; Oral Peel, Equipment Specialist (L-R middle row):Donovan Law, Mathieu Longhurst, Stephen Egan, Connor Sloan, Luke Santerno, Cole Zimmerman, Riley Harder, Jordan Low, Henry Hart, Ken Nordstrom, Braeden St. Louis, Jayden Syrota, Brad Williams, Kevin Raimundo, (L-R front row): Kristian Stead, Richard Duff, Assistant Coach; Brady Ward, Rob Orrey, Tyson Levesque, Jaidan Ward, Lane van de Wetering, Will Orrey, Mike Lynch,Doug Rogers, GM/Head Coach; Magnus Viberg Missing: Shane Doherty, Rainer Meyer, Trainer

DL 10683

199 Exeter Road, 100 Mile House, BC 250-395-4017 Toll Free: 1-877-395-4017 CENTRALGM.COM

Congratulations on an amazing season!

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What a Ride!

…13

Simple Elegance Photography (Erin Duff)

Official 100 Mile House Wranglers 2013-2014 (L-R back row): Greg Dwyer, Equipment Manager; Don Jones, Director/Director of Marketing; Kersti Foote, Executive Assistant; Rick Takagi, Treasurer; Tom Bachynski, Governor/President; Greg Aiken, 1st VP; Crystal Dawn Langton, Secretary/Billet Coordinator; Christian Samson, Assistant Trainer; Oral Peel, Equipment Specialist (L-R middle row):Donovan Law, Mathieu Longhurst, Stephen Egan, Connor Sloan, Luke Santerno, Cole Zimmerman, Riley Harder, Jordan Low, Henry Hart, Ken Nordstrom, Braeden St. Louis, Jayden Syrota, Brad Williams, Kevin Raimundo, (L-R front row): Kristian Stead, Richard Duff, Assistant Coach; Brady Ward, Rob Orrey, Tyson Levesque, Jaidan Ward, Lane van de Wetering, Will Orrey, Mike Lynch,Doug Rogers, GM/Head Coach; Magnus Viberg Missing: Shane Doherty, Rainer Meyer, Trainer

DL 10683

199 Exeter Road, 100 Mile House, BC 250-395-4017 Toll Free: 1-877-395-4017 CENTRALGM.COM

Congratulations on an amazing season!

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‘This group never ceases to amaze me’

I

t seemed like a long holiday break in 100 Mile House without any junior hockey.

Following a three-game road trip where the Wranglers failed to register a point, the team hosted the Kimberley Dynamiters on Jan. 10 – the club’s first home game since Dec. 21.

An announced 532 people were in attendance, and coach Doug Rogers called it “a great bounceback weekend.”

The Wranglers won 4-3 against Kimberley on Jan. 10, then travelled to Chase and hung a 5-2 loss on the Heat.

“This group never ceases to amaze me,” said Rogers, expressing a feeling likely shared by many fans around the rink this season.

“We have bumps in the road that are expected given that we are so young, but the group battles hard to get us back on track.”

South Cariboo Recreation Centre Home of the 100 Mile House Wranglers Congratulations on a great season!!!

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Sense of ‘urgency’ for last push of season

A

s February rolled around, the end of the KIJHL season was in sight, and a playoff picture was starting to take shape.

Remarkably, the Wranglers, playing in an inaugural season, were battling the Chase Heat for second place in the Doug Birks Division and home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

The two clubs were way behind the first-place Kamloops Storm, just in front of the fourth-place Sicamous Eagles, and comfortably ahead of the Revelstoke Grizzlies in fifth.

Chase and 100 Mile House were set to meet up in Round 1.

A Chase victory in 100 Mile House on Feb. 21 in the Wranglers last home game of the season – following a controversial call that disallowed a goal

by Lane van de Wetering in overtime – sealed home-ice advantage for Chase and “lit a fire” for 100 Mile House in their upcoming Round 1 matchup.

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Round 1

T

he Wranglers were rolling after that.

A few hours before puck drop for Game 5 in Chase on March 3, and up three games to one on the verge of clinching its first post-season series win, 100 Mile House Wranglers captain Jaidan Ward noted, “If we keep going the way we are, we’re in for a long playoff push.”

Local talent Cole Zimmerman fired home the game-winner and the Wranglers, with a 4-3 win, took a remarkable inaugural season in the KIJHL even further – a Round 2 playoff birth against the Kamloops Storm.

“We’ve definitely had a lot of guys step up,” Ward said of the Chase series. “It’s good to see we’re coming together at the perfect time.”

Congratulations on an awesome first season!

Diana M. Worthington Ph/Fax: 250-395-8816

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GREAT SEASON, GUYS!

We’re proud to be a sponsor of the 100 Mile House

WRANGLERS

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Contact us for more information: www.wldcu.com

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What a Ride!

…19

Round 2

I

n the second round, the Wranglers met the Kamloops Storm, which as its nickname suggests, are a daunting force in the world of junior hockey in British Columbia.

One day after a 3-1 elimination loss in Game 4 on March 12, Wranglers coach/general manager Doug Rogers

sat down at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre to talk about the series.

The Wranglers had a number of injuries going into Round 2, so they were in tough no matter what, but Kamloops is a great team, Rogers said.

“They’re Junior A calibre in my opinion. I’d be surprised if they didn’t win the whole thing. I thought our kids played really well. I thought they worked hard, as they did all year, right up until the last buzzer in the last game.”

Kamloops, a team that finished first overall in points in the KIJHL, took the series in four games – 3-1 on March 12 and 5-2 on March 11 in 100 Mile House; and 3-0 on March 9 and 8-3 on March 8 in Kamloops.

“We’re an expansion team and no one really expected us to make it to the playoffs, and we made it to the second round,” forward Connor Sloan

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explained after Game 4. “It’s tough to lose, but we should be proud of our accomplishments all season, and how far we went.”

For a first year club to have played at that level already is a testament to the Wranglers work-ethic, Rogers explained in a post-season interview.

The Doug Birks Division coach of the year added the fans in 100 Mile House, which have rallied behind the team from the start and packed the rink at home games, deserve a lot of credit too.

“It’s almost overwhelming the amount of support we have in the community. 100 Mile House really needs to be proud of itself in how it supported this team. It certainly makes a difference for the guys when they walk out of the tunnel and the stands are full.”

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The community’s team, sporting new colours

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hrough it all, the Wranglers were a regular, welcome presence at all sorts of community events.

Players signed autographs after home games, and were there to sign autographs and meet fans at a punk rock show organized by the Youth Zone outside the local rink back in October.

They laid a wreath on Memorial Day at the 100 Mile Community Hall.

The entire team marched in an anti-violence rally last fall organized by the 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre Society.

More recently, a number of players volunteered to help organizers at the 100 Mile House & District Minor Hockey Association’s anti-bullying night in March.

Also this season, the local minor hockey association announced its plans to adopt the logo and colours of the Wranglers.

It will take a few years to phase in new apparel for the entire association, but an atom development team wore the navy blue, gold and grey this season.

“It’s a community thing and one day our minor hockey players can aspire to play for the Wranglers,” said Denise Balbirnie, president of the parents auxiliary.

“That’s really exciting. It’s nice for all the levels of hockey in the community to support each other.”

Wranglers president Tom Bachynski said the whole executive was flattered with the gesture.

“I think we all hoped at some point down the road that would happen, and for it to happen as quickly as it is and the way the community has embraced it, it’s almost overwhelming.”

It was a pleasure to support the Wranglers’ first season!

We have very much enjoyed the experience of watching Junior B hockey this first season.

Thank you for what you have done for the community.

Laura & Keith Espresso, Tea & Coffee Bar. Fresh Baked Treats. Local Food Eatery

575 Alder Ave. At the end of the Cariboo Mall 250.706.0456

What a Ride!

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Coach, players awarded with KIJHL division honours

I

n front of hundreds of fans at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre and to generous applause before a playoff game in late February, 100 Mile House Wranglers forwards Luke Santerno, right, and Lane van de Wetering, as well as coach Doug Rogers, made their way across the ice to shake hands with Jim Harrington, the vice-president of the KIJHL’s Okanagan Shuswap Division.

Harrington was there to present the 2013/14 season awards for individuals in the Doug Birks Division.

Santerno won rookie of the year, van de Wetering won most sportsmanlike, and Rogers won coach of the year.

Rogers commended Santerno for his dedication and work

d u o r p e r a We of you!

ethic this season, while calling van de Wetering a “spark plug” for the Wranglers.

The coach/general manager added he was accepting the coach of the year award on behalf of the entire hockey operations side of the Wranglers’ organization.

“There are a lot of people who have put in a lot of time over the year to make this year a success on the ice.”

Rogers, as he’d done in interviews all season long, made sure his players’ dedication, effort and commitment was acknowledged.

“This is a phenomenal group of young men who believe in working hard to obtain their goals. These values will serve them well in the future, both in hockey and in life.”

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Thanks for an exciting season!

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Lauding ‘Wrangler Nation’

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eam president Tom Bachynski had the last words on an impressive inaugural season by the 100 Mile House Wranglers at an awards banquet on March 14.

Standing at a podium near a row of new trophies that went out to the players, in front of the close to 150 people seated in attendance, Bachynski thanked the Wranglers players and their parents, “the army of volunteers,” billet families, coaches, trainers and fans.

He talked about “Wrangler Nation,” a moniker assumed by fans of the team that’s popular on social media.

The team averaged more than 500 spectators per home game at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.

Wrangler Nation “reaches far, wide and with great density,” Bachynski said.

“Without a doubt, we have been one of the most watched teams in the (KIJHL). In total, we saw over 17,000 people come and watch our Wranglers.”

In his closing remarks, Bachynski addressed the players.

“You are what future teams will aspire to be. You have become legends in our community.”

“What you have given this community can’t be put on a scoresheet and it can’t really be fairly explained. But, what you’ve left with us is cherished. I think, and hope, the community has equally reciprocated.”

2013-14 Wranglers season award-winners: Builder’s award: Bill Forman Legacy plaque: Nathan Warren Sportsmanship award: Connor Sloan Scoring leader: Luke Santerno Outstanding forward: Donovan Law Fan favourite: Connor Sloan Outstanding defenceman: Tyson Levesque Player’s choice award: Stephen Egan Most valuable player: Lane van de Wetering Cowboy hat: Kristian Stead President’s award: Jaidan Ward

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What a Ride!

…23

WHAT A RIDE!!

This publication was produced by the collective efforts of the staff at the 100 Mile House Free Press.

Ken Alexander, Lori Brodie, Martina Dopf, Jennifer Boden, Heather Nelson, Kerri Mingo, Judy Willsey, Carole Rooney, Debbie Theoret and Jill Schick.

Stories were written by Gaven Crites and photos were taken by Gaven Crites and Chris Nickless.

There are many more photos available for reprints at the 100 Mile House Free Press.

Messner Kenney LLP

Barristers & Solicitors, Notaries Public Messner Kenney LLP offers a full range of legal services.

Congratulations on your inaugural year!

SERVING THE CARIBOO FOR OVER 40 YEARS WITH PLANS TO DO SO FOR MANY MORE!

Peter D. Messner: pmessner@messnerkenney.ca • Julian T.W. Kenney: jkenney@messnerkenney.ca Heidi M. Zetzche: heidiz@messnerkenney.ca • Jaimie Kidston: jkidston@messnerkenney.ca Kenneth D. Smith: ksmith@messnerkenney.ca

201- 438 Birch Ave., 100 Mile House Ph: 250-395-3881 ~ Fax: 250-395-2644 ~ www.messnerkenney.com Offices located in 100 Mile House, Penticton and Vancouver.

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