Leafs get sniper Jamie Vlanich back from BCHL
By The Nelson Daily Sports
According to Elite Hockey Prospect stats, the experiment lasted two games.
But at least now Jamie Vlanich can put behind any “What If?” thinking as the Trail native is expected to return to the Green and White Friday when the Leafs travel to Princeton to meet the Posse in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action.
Vlanich rejoins the Leafs for the two-game swing through the Okanagan Conference, concluding Saturday in Osoyoos against the Coyotes, after being released from the by the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL.
“Jamie brings us back another great leader on the ice,” said Leaf coach Frank Maida when asked about the return of the Vlanich, who left Nelson after scoring 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points.
“I feel we have a great group of leaders on the ice and look forward to have Jamie back in the lineup this weekend,” Maida added.
Vlanich, coming to Nelson in the off-season from Castlegar along with Travis Wellman, had been one of the main reasons why Nelson is leading the league with a 13-0-1-1 record.
Langley scouts saw the fine play of Vlanich during Nelson’s first road Okanagan road trip, prompting the Rivermen to come calling.
But the experiment didn’t work out.
However, the 5’9”, 160 poundTrail native, with 147 points in 130 career KIJHL games with Golden, Castlegar, Fernie, and Nelson, will be a welcome edition to the lineup after Nelson lost three times last weekend — the final blow a 9-3 pasting at the hands of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
“(Jamie) will join us this weekend,” Maida confirmed after the Rivermen released Vlanich.
Vlanich will be a welcome addition to a Leaf team still reeling from a tough weekend.
“I think we got to high on ourselves,” said Leaf center Linden Horswill when asked about the three-loss weekend. “At the beginning of the games we were a little too loose and things just unraveled (Sunday) in Creston.”
Despite the slump, Nelson remains on top of the Neil Murdoch Division with a 15-1-1-3 record, six points in front of Beaver Valley.
Next home game for Nelson is Wednesday when Grand Forks visits the NDCC Arena.
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