VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE SUMMERLAND STEAM!

SUMMERLAND STEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The success of the Summerland Steam organization is largely due to the dedication and quality of our fantastic volunteers. Without their dedication to the team and  the development of young atheletes in sport, we would not be able to provide the same experiences we do to our players, our fans or our wonderful community of Summerland.

Each game we require numerous volunteers to assist in game day operations, many times behind the scenes. Some of these positions on a nightly basis include ticket sales, program sales, on-ice & off-ice promotion, 50-50 tickets, and technical support.

In the past we have had volunteers from all areas of our community join our team. Our volunteers have come in the form of students, retirees, young hockey players, and we have even had whole families volunteer, which is a great bonding family function.

The Steam welcome all volunteers to join in on what is shaping up to be a very exciting 2014/15 KIJHL season. During a very successful 2013/14 KIJHL Season the Steam went on an improbable run from 5^th place on November 1^st to an Okanagan Division Championship Crown at the end of the season, and that would not have been made possible without our many great volunteers.

We are currently looking to build on our team of volunteers for 2014/15, and welcome all comers who are interested in getting involved with our organization. There is no minimum game commitment or requirements. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, obtain volunteer hours for school, and be part of a great organization, and we hope to have you aboard for the upcoming season!

            For more information on the opportunities that are available, please contact Gregg Wilson at 250-462-0905 (or greggwilson@summerlandsteam.com) or Tim Hogg at 250-809-1820 (timhogg@summerlandsteam.com) at any time. 

BECOME A SUMMERLAND STEAM BILLET FAMILY TODAY!

BECOME A SUMMERLAND STEAM BILLET FAMILY TODAY!                       

For many of us, our choice to move away from the family home was a decision made when we were in our late teens or even twenties. If you think back, you will remember a lot of anxiety that went along with this move. For a Junior hockey player who leaves their family home to follow their dreams, they are not just leaving family and friends behind to go to a new city or town, but they are still expected to perform on and off the ice in their new community. Without caring billet families to ease this transition, our young athletes and future stars may never make the decision they do to pursue their dreams.

The Billet family experience in most cases becomes a lasting relationship between the player, the players family and the billet family. Our hockey players in the past have served as great role models not only in their community, but for younger family members who can learn from these players dedication and sacrifices to obtain their goals. Often the billet family through this experience have gained a 'new family member' who's career they can monitor, be at the college, semi pro or even professional level.

Billet families are financially compensated and also receive a season ticket for each member of the household to all Steam home games. The importance of billet families to the Summerland Steam Junior Hockey Club is immeasurable. Simply put without dedicated billet families we could not put a team on the ice. They provide an environment of support and trust at a time when these young men need it the most. 

The Summerland Steam appreciate the commitment, generosity and dedication of these fantastic people. If you are interested or just want some more information on becoming a billet family please contact Gregg Wilson at 250 462-0905 or email greggwilson@summerlandsteam.com.

STEAM SIGN 5 PLAYERS, NEW ASSISTANT COACH

It seems like so long ago that we were talking about an entertaining Game 7 vs the North Okanagan Knights that left a sour taste in the mouths of the Summerland Steam. In actuality it was only just over 4 months ago, but in the past 142 days the Summerland Steam Junior Hockey Club has been hard at work beginning preparations for the 2014/15 KIJHL season. The goal is always to be better year over year, but this season they have a division title to defend.

The 2014/15 season kicks off for the Steam with their home opener on Friday, September 12th vs the division rival Kelowna Chiefs. These are the same Chiefs whom the Steam overtook on the last weekend of the 2013/14 Season to take home the Okanagan Division crown that they will now begin defense of. With a few players moving on to life after hockey and a few moving on to the next level, the Summerland Steam took their first steps to shaping their 2014/15 roster on Friday. 

The Steam started the day by announcing the arrival of Assistant Coach Wade Parker to the organization. Parker is a local product who has a background in coaching at the minor hockey level as well as with Elite U-16 programs in BC. Alongside Head Coach John Depourcq and Assistant Coach/GM Gregg Wilson, Parker will look to provide a steady voice and superior hockey knowledge to the young men who don the red and black. 

The Steam also announced on Friday the signings of 5 players for the 2014/15 season. All 5 players played in elite level midget programs last season, 2 being from the Provincial Champion Kelowna Midget T1 Rockets in Cole Williams and Braden Eliuk. 

Williams is regarded as a solid 2 way defenseman who plays a big, strong, defensively responsible game while also being able to jump the rush at any given moment. With a heavy shot from the blue line and a good hockey IQ, Williams will be a welcome addition to the Steam blue line for the upcoming season.

Eliuk is billed as an offensively gifted young man with exceptional playmaking ability and a deadly release of his shot. In 48GP in Tier 1 Midget last season, Eliuk was the Rockets top scorer tallying 46 Goals and 38 Assists while maintaining a +42 +/- on the road to a Provincial Championship.  

Both Williams and Eliuk come highly regarded out of the Kelowna Midget T1 program as very talented hockey players as well as great teammates.

In addition to those two signings, the Steam have also signed '96 born Forward Wyatt Gale and '96 born Forward Jarrett Malchow out of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. In 27 Games last season with the NAMHL's Midget AA Flyers, Malchow collected 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points, while Gale contributed 17 Goals and 22 Assists in 32 GP. 

To compliment these 4 players, the Steam have also signed '97 born Goaltender Alex Kong from the Burnaby Winter Club. Will update with stats when they are obtained. 


All 5 of these young men will be welcome additions to a team looking to defend their Okanagan Division title during the 2014/15 KIJHL Season.