KEC boys hockey team gives back this Christmas

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/12/2022 (1128 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BY SHELDON BIRNIE

STAFF REPORTER

EAST KILDONAN

The Kildonan-East Collegiate boys hockey team are giving it their all, on and off the ice.

With the halfway mark to the Winnipeg High School Hockey League regular season coming up, the Reivers find themselves with a losing record. KEC’s three regulation wins, three overtime losses, and five regulation losses had the team in the middle of the pack in the 13-team Winnipeg Free Press Division with 12 points at press time.

“We put up enough goals and we’re pretty good defensively,” said Eston Katcher, a 16-year-old centre. “We just need to put it all together. When we get the momentum going, it’s there. But when we fall behind we start to breakdown. If we get going off the jump, we’re good.”

“Our forecheck is good this year,” added Tristen Miller, a 17-year-old centre. “We’re able to hem other teams in for long shifts.”

Katcher, who led the division in assists, with 16, and points, with 25, in 11 games played, and Miller, who had two goals and four assists, both agreed the team’s play in OT needs to be tightened up ahead of a Dec. 6 game against Collège Jeanne-Sauvé.

“That’s not going too well,” Katcher admitted.

“Other than that I think we’re doing pretty good,” Miller added.

Defenceman Colm Balez, one of the team captains, identified breaking out from their own end as something the KEC boys need to work on.

“We need to learn how to get out of our zone better,” Balez, who has only played five games this season, said. “We have to get more shots on net playing against faster, stronger teams. Besides that, we’re not doing too bad.”

“Our power play is pretty good,” added Jesse Andrews, another defenceman and co-captain who has only suited up for five games to date. “We can keep it in their zone. Once we get more healthy, we’ll be good.”

Balez agreed that injuries have been an issue for the Reivers, and that getting a full roster will help the team on the scoresheet.

“It will be nice to get more bodies on the ice,” he said. “We’re running two lines right now, and it’s pretty exhausting.”

Despite the injuries and frustrating OT losses, Balez said the team has “great chemistry” this year. Off the ice, the boys have been working to put together Christmas hampers for two local families in need.

“Most of the team is participating in getting supplies for the hampers, and we’re also working on raising money, as well,” Balez said. “It feels good to give back.”

“It feels good to help people out, to make sure they have some food on the table for the holiday,” Katcher added.

The team intends to deliver the baskets in person on or around Dec. 17.

“It will be nice to see their faces,” Miller said.

Those interested in contributing to the hampers, by way of non-perishable food items or a cash donation towards gifts, can contact the Kildonan-East Collegiate office at 204-667-2960.