North Okanagan Knights Junior B Hockey

From The President…

robyn — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:02:36 +0000

Knights’ Moves
As the season winds down, players with the encouragement of the team staff are looking at off season training programs with the goal of making themselves stronger, quicker and faster. I don’t know if you have seen the latest Sydney Crosby commercial for Gatorade. In that commercial are some short clips representative of the type of exercises he is doing. One shows Sydney with a rope in either hand and quickly making up and down wave patterns. Some people may say “Why is he doing that exercise? He should be doing bench presses, leg squats and bicep curls!” A question for you “Which one of the exercises more closely follows a motion that would be required in hockey?” Bench press? Not likely. Leg squat? Bicep curls? I don’t think so. Up and down motions with his hands? Most definitely. Moving the stick up or down to tip a puck. Strength and quickness to lift an opponents stick. There are new thoughts as the kind and type of exercises that athletes should be doing to make themselves better. These are exercises that more closely mirror motions of that particular sport done as quickly as possible with a full range of motion. The goal is to build a muscle structure that will allow forces to be efficiently transferred to motions which will increase quickness and speed along with strength. Look at the skating stride. The legs push off and arms pump. Following the above exercises will build a muscular structure in the torso that will transmit the energy of the arm pump through the body to the legs and increase quickness and speed. A more traditional exercise program will leave the torso softer and the energy will be absorbed by the muscular structure and lost to the legs. In hockey the first two or three steps are critical in beating an opponent.
There is a Canadian athlete, Dylan Armstrong from Kamloops, who is the top rated shot putter in the world. In his development stages (up to 18 years old) his coach did not let him lift weights but rather had him follow series of exercises like I described above. One doesn’t need to lift weights to get better. A small clear area, a medicine ball and ideally a set of stairs is all that is required. A set of approximately 20 exercises done as quickly as possible with full range of motion and no stopping in between exercises. This type program should become an integral part of the off season training.
I find it interesting that pro-athletes will use their positions to express opinion to the public (on Facebook, Twitter etc) and then get upset when they are questioned about the comments they posted. Tim Thomas, the Boston goalie, recently posted some comments on his Facebook page and then walked out of an interview when questioned about these comments. Given the public exposure their activity gives them, they will be questioned on their comments. If Mr. Thomas does not like that, then keep his comments to himself.

Best Season Ever…

robyn — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:57:38 +0000

The Knights didn’t go down without a fight in game 7 against the Kamloops storm.

Kamloops started strong with two goals in the first period. The Knights fought back with a goal in the second by Josh Wickenheiser assisted by Lee Muir. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

Kamloops put one more in the net before the game ended 3-1 Kamloops.

Josh Wickenheiser received the third star.

Kamloops GM stated after the game, this was one of the best playoff series they have ever been in.

Knights, hold your head high. It’s been a great season!

Tanner Burns February Player of the Month

robyn — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:38:55 +0000

The KIJHL has named Tanner Burns as February Player of the Month. Way to go Tanner!

Knights Force Game 7!

robyn — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 06:32:56 +0000

The Knights were able to force game 7 with a 5-3 win over the Kamloops Storm. A big thanks to SunFM, Kiss FM, The Vernon Morning Star and all the fans who came out to cheer us on.

Game 5: Knights Lose Heartbreaker In OT

robyn — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:23:04 +0000

The Knights need to win tomorrow’s game vs Kamloops to keep the series alive.

Kamloops won tonights game over the Knights 4-3 in overtime. Kamloops owned the first period with two goals.

The second period belonged to the Knights with first goal scored by Brett Hawrys from Derek Andrews and John Saunders and a second goal scored by Tom Swales, assisted by Hawrys and Cory Hochhausen.

The Storm pulled ahead again by scoring a power play goal.

Before the end of the second period Steven Pantazopoulos put it in the net from Saunders and Mateja Leko to tie the game.

There were no goals scored in the third period so the game ended with overtime.

Player Derek Andrews got the first star and Brett Hawrys was awarded third star.

Camp Spots Available! North Okanagan Knights Junior Prospect Camp Mar 30-Apr 1

robyn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:01:52 +0000

There is still room to register for the North Okanagan Knights Junior Prospect Camp. View the camp information and registration form here…

Knight Junior Prospect Registration pdf

Knights Win Game 4 – Series Tied!

robyn — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:45:56 +0000

Last night the Knights weathered the Storm 3-0 on home ice. The first goal was scored by Cory Hochhausen from Tanner Burns and Eric Chore. The second goal scored by Bryce Koch from Brett Hawrys and Derek Andrews. Third goal by Mateja Leko from Andrews.

The first star went to Lee Muir. Second star to goalie Dustin Nikkel, and the third star belonged to Mateja Leko.

Game 6 will take place at 7:00pm in Vernon at the Westbild Center.

Cory Hochhausen Awarded Most Valuable Player and Most Sportsmanlike Player

robyn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:16:07 +0000

Cory Hochhausen was awarded Most Valuable Player and Most Sportsmanlike Player by the KIJHL Okanagan Shuswap Doug Birks Division at last nights game against the Kamloops Storm.

Congratulations Cory!

Kris Mallette Named Head Coach of the Year By Okanagan Shuswap Birks Division

robyn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:05:34 +0000

Kris Mallette, head coach of the North Okanagan Knights was awarded Head Coach of the year by the KIJHL Okanagan Shuswap Birks Division at last night’s game. Congratulations Kris!

Game 3 Belongs to the Knights!

robyn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:59:06 +0000

Knights Win Game 3

The Knights won over Kamloops last night, 3-2 on home ice.

Goals scored by Tanner Burns assisted by Eric Chore, Cory Hochhausen unassisted and Brett Hawrys from John Saunders and Derek Andrews.

Cory Hochhausen was named Most Sportsmanlike Player and Most Valuable Player by the KIJHL in the Okanagan Shuswap Doug Birks Division.

They also awarded Kris Mallette as coach of the year.

Game 4 of the series is tonight at the Nor-Val Center Arena at 7:30pm. Come dressed in purple and black to cheer on your Knights!