24-25 Season Preview: Kam River Fighting Walleye

Written by Gary Moskalyk

Head coach Dwight Lee becomes the fourth coach in Kam River Fighting Walleye history following Matt Valley, Geoff Walker and Jesse Messier. It’s been a few years since Lee played in the SIJHL. He split time with Fort Frances and the Sioux Lookout Flyers in 2009-10. He captained the Flyers the next season before joining the Dryden Ice Dogs one year later.

The 34-year-old Kimberley, BC native joins a team with a proud history. The Fighting Walleye have made a mockery of the “expansion label” winning  the SIJHL championship in their second year, while forging incredible won/lost records since they joined the SIJHL in 2020-21. They’ve finished in first place in every season.

After an eight-game winning streak in last year’s playoffs, Kam River ran into a hot goaltender in Jack Osmond. The second-year Sioux Lookout Bombers took a page out of Walleye manual, winning it all. They swept Kam River in the finals in four straight.

Lee enters his first year well stocked with talent. 

“We’ve had a competitive camp. A good mix or returning players, recruits, guys auditioning for spots, good local presence,” said Lee, at his new office at Norwest Arena.

“We like what we have in certain positions. There’s still work to be done. We’ve got a good base for what our team is going to look like. . .  We’re pretty close.”

Top returning players include forwards Jett Mintenko (22-42-64), Nickolas Fagnilli (23-30-53), Kaden Goodwin (21-26-47), Carter Poddubny (21-25-46) and Daxton Lang (10-20-30 in 26 games). Returning defenceman Edwin Liang (30 points in 42 games) is a key defender. 

Forwards Ryan Doucette (22-28-50) and Jeremy Dunmore (24-21-45), and key defenders Brydon Bell (9-33-42) and Liam Bell (8-27-35) are notable losses. Carter Nailen had 31 points in 36 games, and Ryan Daponte’s 27 points in 29 games are also gone.

The  goaltending corps in still in flux as of Labour Day. 

“Still sorting that out. Got a good couple of recruits,” noted Lee. Maddox Naswaski, Hoyden Prior, Kole Kronstedt, Matthew Stephens, Owen Bonthuis and last year’s Travis Vanderzwaag were listed on the roster sheet for the recent Teleco Cup series against the Hearst Lumber Jacks.

Last year’s number one goalie Ashton Sadauskas is presently with the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL according to Elite Prospects.

Tie Schumacher (2006) seems to be a player to look out for. Schumacher, 5-foot-10, 190 from Post Falls, ID had 48 points with the Spokane Braves of the KIJHL last year. Also listed was his 136 point season (70 goals in 55 games) as a 16U player is 2021-22.

He scored the first goal of the pre-season against Hearst, adding another tally later on.

Lee is looking to put his stamp on the team.

“I’m a player’s coach. I’m really focused on the development side of things,” said Lee. “I want to see how I can help guys round out their game and highlight what they’re good at. Develop their skill, help them grow as athletes, help them grow as players, help them grow as people.”

The X’s and O’s are still a component as well. The Walleye led the league in powerplay proficiency 27,7%. The penalty kill stood at 82.1%.

“It comes down to execution and being sharp and executing plays. When guys are working on their skills and they’re sharp and confident that’s when you get execution,” said Lee.

Lee inherits a team that was 39-9-1 last year, with a winning percentage of .806, with a GF/GA differential of +139.

“A lot of times when you take on a new coaching opportunity you’re starting from scratch. You’re taking on a team that’s been struggling,” he said. “The Walleye have been successful and their coaches have all advanced their careers. It’s a great opportunity. The bar’s been set high. That’s something that excites me. A little bit of pressure, but that’s a good thing. 

“I want to be part of an environment where it’s a winning culture,” he added. “There’s a good support cast in place. Nothing but a positive experience so far.”

Kam River starts the season with a weekend pair against the new look Dryden Ice Dogs. Game one is Saturday at 7:00 p.m. CDT. Game two is an afternoon matinee.