Idahopress.com

Idaho Junior Steelheads coach John Olver works with his players during a practice Thursday afternoon at Idaho Ice World in Boise.
Charlie Litchfield/IPT
More Photo Galleries

Mike Stetson
mstetson@idahopress.com
Friday, September 25th, 2009

BOISE — Hockey might not be new to the Treasure Valley, but these guys are — welcome the Idaho Junior Steelheads.

Led by former Idaho Steelheads coach John Olver, who brought the Kelly Cup to Boise for the first time back in 2003-04, this Junior A team begins its inaugural campaign tonight at 7:30 at Idaho Ice World.

"I think we're very excited," Olver said of his team, which hosts the San Diego Gulls in the program's first-ever official game.

On the ice since Aug. 31, the team did get a test against Helena in a pair of exhibition games last weekend, splitting with the NORPAC champions.

"Were practicing every day hard just for this, just for season to start," said Daniel Koranda, a 6-foot-2 defenseman from the Czech Republic who just came to the U.S. this summer to play in Idaho.

Of course, getting here hasn't been easy Olver admits, but thanks to the generosity of many people in terms of time, and money, opening night is here.

"I think when we play the game (to)night, I think it's going to be very satisfying to a lot of people and I think the people are going to be very impressed with the caliber of play."

A physical, aggressive style of play, evidently.

"One thing I was impressed with last week (against Helena) was how aggressive we were and how physical we were."

Who are the Jr. Steelheads?

The team is made up of 15 out-of-town players and 10 locals, with players ranging in age from 18 to 21, all looking to make their mark in hockey.

The Junior Steelheads offers both area kids, and newcomers, a chance to get noticed by major junior teams and college coaches, paving the wave to either a collegiate career or possible a professional one.

"It's going to be very beneficial to our youth hockey program, our players in the past have had to leave home to pursue their college or professional hockey goals are now able to stay home, at least for one year," Olver said.

"In addition to that, it gives our young players a chance to see what junior hockey is and the level and caliber of play, and hopefully it'll motivate them and inspire them to elevate their game to higher levels."

It's been a great opportunity for Meridian High's Nate Stanley, who played in Canada and Dallas last year, and Dallas the year before that in junior hockey.

"I'm real happy," he said, "I've been moved away the last two years to play hockey, so it's nice to have a team at home so I don't have to move away."

The team plays in the eight-team Western Division of the Western States Hockey League, where the top four teams make the playoffs.

The Western Division postseason champ eventually plays the Mid-West Division champ — which features five teams — with both Division champs advancing to the national tournament in Boston.

Nationals features the top teams from the six Junior A leagues, which includes the WSHL, NORPAC, Central States Hockey League, Minnesota Junior Hockey League, Eastern Junior Hockey League and Atlantic Junior Hockey League.

"Nationals, nothing less," Stanley said of the team's goal.

Defense

"Right now I think the strength of our team is on defense," Olver said, adding that the team has six or seven strong defenders.

And they've got some size, as Koranda is just one of the big boys on a blue-line without a skater under 6-0, which includes 6-4 Michael Washington from Denver.

"We're hard working on the defense play, J.O.'s got good plays for defense," Koranda said, "so I hope we are good at defense."

Koranda, whose agent played college hockey with Olver which helped land the Czech Republic player in Boise, adds that he hopes to play his way up in the junior ranks.

He adds: "I think I'm good passing, I like to have the puck on my stick and make some nice passes.

"And I want to play hard," Koranda said, adding he's willing to throw his weight around, too.

Adding to the defense will be the goaltending of Spenser Brown from Lafayette, Ind., who Olver said will start tonight.

Offense

While defense will be the team's strength, the Junior Steelheads won't lack when it comes to scoring, as Olver says two players to watch include Stanley and Victor Karlsson, the team's other foreign-born player.

Karlsson is a a 20-year-old from Sweden of whom Olver says: "Is clearly our most skilled player and is going to be a treat for our fans to watch."

As for Stanley, Olver says he'll be playing college hockey soon, adding, "I think he could be a premier player in this league this year."