FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 6th, 2017
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the team has rounded out their leadership group for the 2017/18 season as joining captain Jared Marino will be defensemen Jake Harrison. Stephen Kleysen and forward Cavin Tilsley serving as alternate captains.
Harrison, 18, is entering his third season in the BCHL with the Warriors and has plenty of experience even for his young age. The West Kelowna native, along with captain Marino, are the only two players remaining from the 2016 National Championship squad. The veteran of 108 regular season games for the Warriors has tallied 10 goals and earned 50 points with 83 penalty minutes. “It’s an honour for me to wear a letter this season,” stated Harrison, “I can’t wait to get out and help lead this team to another championship.”
Kleysen, 20, enters his second season with the Warriors and fourth and final year of Junior hockey. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has suited up for 170 regular season games between three different teams in the likes of the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL), Madison Capitols (USHL) and the Warriors with last season tallying 6 goals and 23 points with 150 penalty minutes in West Kelowna. “It’s a great honour to wear a letter this season,” says Kleysen, “I am excited about our team this year and can’t wait to get things going.”
Tilsley, 19, comes into his first full season with the Warriors in 2017/18, being acquired in mid-November by the Warriors from the Prince George Spruce Kings. The Delta, BC native has played in 102 regular season contests in the BCHL, scoring 15 goals and collecting 39 points to go along with 178 penalty minutes. “Being named as an assistant captain is a huge honour for me,” commented Tilsley, “I have some big shoes to fill as the leaders from last season have moved on but it’s something I’m very excited for. Throughout my Junior hockey career, I’ve had some pretty amazing leaders to look up to and I hope to use their leadership skills mixed in with my own.”
Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster knows he has a lot of veteran presence leading him team, “Along with Jared, we believe that these three men will be able to provide plenty of veteran leadership to our team for this season.”
“Jake has plenty of experience entering his third season including a Royal Bank Cup,” continued Ferster, “While Stephen is a 20-year-old with plenty of Junior hockey knowledge and Cavin has the work ethic and character to be a great leader.”
West Kelowna opens their regular season up with home-and-home against the Trail Smoke Eaters beginning on Friday, September 8th at 7:00 PM at Cominco Arena. The game will be broadcasted live on the Warriors Internet Network and on pay-per-view at www.hockeytv.com. Pre-game festivities on the broadcast get underway at 6:45 PM with the voice of the Warriors, Trevor Miller.
The Warriors are proud to be hosting a First Responders Appreciation Night to be held at their home opener on Saturday, September 9th against the Trail Smoke Eaters. There will be a courtyard party outside of Royal LePage Place that kicks off at 4:00 PM with street hockey, beverage tents, music and much more. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early and can do so by visiting the Warriors office or by calling Office Administrator Kim Potter at (250) 769-7051.
