WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Hockey Club is pleased to announce the addition of four recruits for the 2023/24 season.
Forwards JJ Franceschetti, Ben Henshall, Jackson Kyrkostas and defenseman Zhenya Miles have committed to the team for the 2023/24 season, joining previously committed forward Jack Pridham as five new recruits for the upcoming season.
“We are thrilled to add all 4 players to our roster for next season,” mentioned Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Simon Ferguson, “We feel each player helps us reload and continue to push and challenge with the top teams in the league. This will be just the start of this process and we are excited to continue to watch and evaluate players in their playoffs and into our development and ID camps.”
Franceschetti, 17, joins the Warriors recruiting class from the RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna, playing in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL), suiting up in 19 games with the U18 team. The Toronto, Ontario native sits third in team scoring with 13 goals and 14 assists to amass 27 points this season in those 19 contests and has gotten some experience at the Junior hockey level with the Warriors this season, affiliating in three games.
“I am really excited to play for the Warriors this upcoming season,” commented Franceschetti, “I look forward to being a part of the winning culture the organization upholds.”
Henshall, 17, comes to the Warriors organization while currently having a very strong season offensively in the Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) with HC Edmonton. The Edmonton, Alberta native has posted a league-leading 25 goals while adding 17 assists to sit 3rd in JPHL scoring with 42 points while suiting up in 26 games. The 5’9”, 165-pound forward previously played with OHA Edmonton in the CSSHL before joining HC Edmonton this season.
Kyrkostas, 18, currently is playing his hockey with Kimball Union Academy in the United States Prep Hockey circuit where the Windham, New Hampshire native ranks 8th in Prep Hockey with 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 21 games this season. Kyrkostas is captaining the team this season and has committed to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a school where current Warriors Felix Caron and Landen Hilditch are committed to.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity to play for such an established organization with a great staff and players” commented Kyrkostas.
Miles, 17, is playing his hockey alongside Franceschetti at RINK Hockey Academy with the U18 team, tallying 2 goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 24 games from the blue line for RINK this season. The Kelowna, BC native stands at 6’2” and 174-pounds while having played each of his last four seasons at RINK including producing 22 points with the U16 team a season ago.
“I’m really excited to be a Warrior,” said Miles, “There’s an amazing buzz about the Warriors and in the City of West Kelowna and I can’t wait to get started.”
The Warriors (21-12-4-0) continue on a stretch away from home as they head to the Lower Mainland to face-off against the Langley Rivermen (11-23-1-2) on Friday night at George Preston Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:15 PM with the game being broadcasted live on AM 1150 as well as streamed online on BCHLTV.ca.
