Josh Gordon steps down from 'Backs Marketing Position

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks are sad to announce that veteran Marketing Director Josh Gordon has tendered his resignation due to family reasons.

Gordon has served as the 'Backs Director of Marketing for the past two seasons after moving to the Shuswap during the 2010-2011 to become the Director of Ticket Sales.

SilverBack's General Manager Troy Mick says the front office has lost a great team member.

"In many facets, Josh has been the face of the franchise for the better part of three years. His work during my time in Salmon Arm has been second to none; we couldn't ask for a better individual to represent this organization, both in the community, and at the league level. We are very sad to see him go but at the same time very grateful for his contributions to the organization and we are proud to support him in his future endeavors."

In a statement made on Tuesday, Gordon noted how much he's enjoyed his time in Salmon Arm, stating that the relationships created with the business partners, season ticket holders, volunteers and fans have been the pinnacle of his experience in Salmon Arm.

“It is with a heavy heart that I informed Troy Mick of my decision this morning. We started to build something very special this past season and I wish I could be here to see it come to fruition over the next few years. While I am sad to be leaving, Salmon Arm will always hold a special place in my heart. My wife and I were married on Mara Lake in the fall of 2011 and although I am an avid supporter of the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge I will continue to bleed purple from afar with a keen eye on the SilverBacks and all of Salmon Arm."

Josh's departure will become official on April 30th but he will remain in Salmon Arm to assist with the SilverBacks upcoming Spring Camp from May 3rd to 5th. 

Gordon will be moving back to Montreal to reunite with his wife after nearly 3 years of living in separate cities.

The organization would like to thank him deeply for his dedication and tireless work to solidify the SilverBacks as a premier club within the BCHL and the Shuswap.

Iacobellis and Redmond talk NCAA commitments

Redmond and Iacobellis in action shots from their early games in Salmon Arm.

After a quiet few weeks following the end of the season, the SilverBacks were ecstatic last week to announce the commitments of forward Steven Iacobellis and goaltender Angus Redmond to NCAA Division I schools.

Iacobellis will join the University of Massachusetts next season while Redmond has committed to Michigan Tech for the fall of 2015.

I'd like to thank Steven and Angus for taking the time to talk to me about their wonderful achievements; they're  both great people and players and it's a joy to see their hard work rewarded.

Enjoy; and remember, the 'Backs are hosting Spring Camp from May 3^rd – 5th at the Shaw Centre.  Volunteers are both needed and appreciated, please contact the Main Office at (250) 832-3856 for more information.

  

Steven Iacobellis Committs To UMass Minutemen

Steven and his line-mates celebrate in his 1st big game as a SilverBack.

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks are proud to announce that 19 year old centre Steven Iacobellis has committed to the University of Massachusetts Minutemen.

Iacobellis, a Burnaby, B.C, native and BCHL veteran of over 150 games; joined the SilverBacks in November before posting 15 goals and 42 points while pushing the 'Backs into the post-season.

Steven played on the 'Backs top line along with Alex Gillies and Brandon Mistal. Troy Mick says the arrival of Iacobellis really sparked the Salmon Arm offence.

"Steven is one of those players that has the ability to make the people around him better, and that's what we saw from him on a night-to-night basis this season. Not only did he lead the majority of our offense late in the season, but he took over as a leader in our dressing room and we know that his work ethic certainly rubbed off on his teammates."

Iacobellis played over 100 games between the Penticton Vees and Cowichan Valley Capitals before joining Salmon Arm this season; notching exactly 100 points in his BCHL career along with six points in 15 playoff games.

Troy Mick notes that Iacobellis was awarded the Unsung Hero award for the SilverBacks this season and he believes Steven’s game should transition well into the NCAA with UMASS.

"He's a proven scorer and player, and he's put up great numbers at every level. We see a player with excellent speed and a wonderful hockey IQ that will be a great addition for the Minutemen."

The organization would like to congratulate Steven, and his family on this great news; while thanking him for his contributions to the organization during his time with the SilverBacks.

Angus Redmond comitts to Michigan Tech Huskies

Fun fact: Angus is 2/2 on BCHL penalty shots, starting with this one in his 1st career game against Cowichan.

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks are extremely proud to announce that 17 year old Goaltender Angus Redmond has committed to play for the NCAA's Michigan Tech Huskies in the fall of 2015. 

The Langley, B.C, native and rookie BCHL net-minder became a hit with his teammates and Salmon Arm hockey fans this season after joining the organization in January from the PIJHL's Port Moody Panthers.  

Angus' cool demeanor and natural athleticism in the goal helped establish his status as a quality BCHL goaltender. 'Backs General Manager Troy Mick says Redmond's growth as a person and athlete over the past few months has been phenomenal. 

 "There's no way that we could have asked for any more out of Angus; his play down the stretch for our club made him a difference maker and for a player to go from Junior 'B' to an NCAA Div I scholarship in just four months shows just how remarkable this young man really is." 

Redmond played 19 games in Port Moody before joining the SilverBacks just prior to the Christmas break. His Junior 'A' career began with quite the streak, as 'Backs fans watched Redmond pick up points for his club in his first five career BCHL games. Angus finished the season with a record of 4-3-1, a GAA of 2.59 and a .911 save % while earning two starts post season starts against the Penticton Vees. 

GM Troy Mick says that playoff experience should go a long way for the young net-minder.

"We liked his game against the Vees and it's become clear that Angus is going to be a premier player in our league and it’s nice to see that has also been recognized by the staff at Michigan Tech." 

The organization is thrilled for Angus and and the Redmond family; we would like to congratulate him on this accomplishment. We're excited to continue to watch him grow as a student and athlete, as he prepares for his future at Michigan Tech.

Road Hockey Rumble on the way to Salmon Arm

Game Four: Penticton Vees sweep the series

'Backs Captain Brandon Mistal and Vees Captain Troy Stecher meet at centre ice.

Congratulations to the Penticton Vees; their 5-1 win on Tuesday night at the Shaw Centre gave them a 4-0 series victory over the SilverBacks. 

They will now move on to play either West Kelowna or Merritt in the Interior Conference Finals. 

The Vees can thank their goaltender, Chad Katunar for a list of great saves early in Game 4, during a SilverBack two-man advantage that kept the game scoreless. He stopped Alex Gillies a few times at the side of the goal to give the Vees a chance at scoring the game’s opening goal.

SilverBack penalty trouble allowed James De Haas to make it 1-0, before a five minute kneeing call against Salmon Arm allowed for two more Penticton power-play goals, and a 3-0 advantage. 

Former SilverBack Sean Flanagan made it 4-0 to close out the period. Penticton added another goal in the 2nd period, while the 'Backs lone marker of the game came on a Brayden Sherbinin rush, that saw a centering pass hit Ryan Schwalbe in front of the goal for what resulted in a 5-1 final score. 

In the BCHL Playoff bracket, this series goes down as sweep for the Vees, but astute SilverBack fans know that Salmon Arm played some real strong hockey in Games 2 & 3, and that a bounce or two could have easily changed the complexion of the series, but it just wasn't mean to be. 

The Vees deserve credit, their skilled forwards lived up to their billing, while their d-men were excellent at blocking shots throughout the series, and Chad Katunar got hot at the right time.

With the possibility of 20 returning players for the 2013-2014 season, the future is bright in Salmon Arm, we hope you're as excited as we are!

Best of the luck to the Vees in their quest, here's a run-down of Game Four, thanks to our friend Chris Fowler, who outdid himself with these shots.

Thanks to everyone who reads the blog on a regular basis, your support means the world. See you soon.

Game Three: Penalty trouble helps Vees to 3-1 win

One of many scrambles around the Vees net that didn't work out for the 'Backs.

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks are now up against the wall following a 3-1 loss at the Shaw Centre on Monday evening. The win gives Penticton a 3-0 advantage in the series with game four scheduled for Tuesday, back in Salmon Arm.

'Backs AP Cam Berry had the lone goal for the home side, while Angus Redmond made 20 saves in his second career BCHL playoff start.

The Vees notched a pair of power-play goals in the 1st period that eventually earned them the win; they can also thank Chad Katunar, who was the game's best player with 29 saves.


1st Period:

• Angus Redmond started the game with a big shoulder save on John Seimer as the Vees again gunned for the opening goal of the game.
• The SilverBacks spent 16 minutes in the penalty box on the evening, including five minors that were called against them in the opening frame.
• Former SilverBack Brock Balson made it 1-0 following a point shot by James DeHaas that created a rebound at the side of the goal for the Kamloops native.
• Salmon Arm did a good job testing Katunar with 11 shots in the frame, with one of their best chances coming as Brandon Mistal put a shot off the pipe. They also threw four shots at Katunar during their first power-play of the night but just couldn't find the net.
• Blake Box looked to have a breakaway chance after serving a penalty, but the 'Backs were called for a cross-check on the play that negated the scoring chance and  allowed the Vees to extend their lead.
• Penticton made it 2-0 on a great shot by Seimer, who went upstairs from a bad angle, to the left of Redmond for what was the eventual game winning goal.

2nd Period:

• Salmon Arm won this period, and outshot the Vees by a tally of 13-7, while scoring their only goal of the game. The line of Anthony Croston, Josh Bowes and Cam Berry created another marker in this series after a long span in the offensive zone that ended with a perfect wrist shot by Berry, who celebrated his first tally in the BCHL; and a 2-1 game.
• The 'Backs got close on two power-plays, but couldn't find the net through traffic or find any magic with a few back-door passes that came close to working out.

Troy Stecher and Alex Gillies don't really like each other.

 3rd Period:

• The SilverBacks only managed six shots on Chad Katunar who was seemingly too hot on the night to be beaten without more rubber to the goal. Brandon Mistal was again close to notching his first goal of the playoffs, but his line with Iacobellis and Gillies wasn't rewarded for its great work on the evening.
• Salmon Arm's best chance to even the contest came with Louie Nanne in the box about two minutes into the period, but Katunar stood tall on what was likely his toughest span of the final period.
• Penticton got a break for the final goal, as Redmond misplayed a loose puck that led to a scramble in the blue paint and a 3-1 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Much like Saturday, the SilverBacks as a group can and should feel pride with the way they came out on home ice in hopes of getting a win under their belts; even if it didn't go according to plan.

Game 2 was a massive improvement on game 1, while game 3 was likely an improvement on Game 2, but it has to be noted that not many teams find themselves successful while spending nearly 30% of the game killing penalties.

Tuesday is a new day. The 'Backs get one more chance to extend this series and send back to Penticton for game 5 on Thursday.