BCJALL Review: Nanaimo Timbermen

NANAIMO TIMBERMEN

LAST SEASON: 14-7 - 4TH PLACE - LOST IN 1ST ROUND TO COQUITLAM

226 GF 202 GA +24 GD

Easily the biggest story to come out of the BCJALL this summer, the Nanaimo Timbermen will now not only have to play the opposition next season, but skyrocketing expectations. It seemed like the T-Men took everyone by surprise, except for themselves. Head Coach Dave Bremner has done an incredible job in recent years to stockpile talent and assets, and this is the season when it finally all came together. He has been diligent in building the club back up and he was rewarded, not just on the floor, but off by being named the Coach of the Year. 

It started off with back-to-back defeats of the Coquitlam Adanacs and built on from there. Nanaimo drew the eventual provincial champions in the playoffs, but managed to take the first game off them in that series, all while building huge fanfare and interest in the team.

Now, with the Victoria Shamrocks clinching their spot in the Minto, it will be Nanaimo who looks to make a breakthrough. They have the genuine abilities to do it as well. They don’t lose a ton of offensive players, Rookie of the Year goaltender Justin Geddie obviously returns, and Thomas Vaesen and Ryan Sheridan will be back fresh off All-Star team nods. 

While those increased expectations means Nanaimo will have to be even deeper and more talented than they were this season, it’s safe to assume that a new era has been ushered in in the Harbour City.