Stocks, Kolb and Soucy behind the bench in 2023

The Nanaimo Junior Timbermen are pleased to announce a new coaching staff for 2023.

With Glenn Clark taking a step back Simon Stocks, Julian Kolb will assume the coaching duties with Graden Soucy coming on board behind the bench as well.

Timbermen President Chris Bowman expects a smooth transition with Clark still helping out behind the scenes.

“He'll be mentoring those guys. I'm really confident in that group and they're all amazing coaches in their own right. They're great guys and they have a love and passion for the game and great knowledge.”

The new coaching staff will have some familiar faces despite some of last years key players making the jump to Senior A.

Levi Verch, Jack Bowie, Andrew Bowman and Riley Arsenault are some of the key returnees in 2023.

Bowman said many of the newcomers to the roster will be from Nanaimo's own Tier 1 team.

“Our process is to have our players play B1 for one to two or three years, move up to Junior A and play two or three years and then graduate to our Senior A team. There are some B1 players who are making that jump and they're more than ready for it.”

The Junior A Timbermen open the season on the road on Sunday May 7 at 2pm against the Langley Thunder.

Nanaimo's home opener is Wednesday May 10 at 7:30pm versus the Victoria Shamrocks at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.