The Campbell River Storm have announced the signing of a pair of familiar faces to the club's roster for the 2015-16 season, and also said farewell to assistant coach Stefan Jensen after two years on the team's bench.
Josh Coblenz, who helped the Campbell River Storm to the Cyclone Taylor Cup and Keystone Cup championships as an affiliate player last season, has signed to play for his hometown club in the coming season.
“Committing to the Storm is obviously a huge honour," said Coblenz, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound centreman. "This is the team I grew up watching, and to actually be a part of it now is a bit surreal. It means a little more because of the success the guys had last season and what they accomplished. The fans waited a long time to see championship hockey return to Campbell River and they deserve to see it stay for at least a few more years.”
Coblenz was born and raised in Campbell River. His minor hockey career with the Tyees was highlighted by scoring the Golden Goal – the overtime winner – as Campbell River defeated Burnaby Winter Club to win the 2012 Bantam Tier 2 Provincial Championship.
Coblenz spent last season with the U18 Prep Team at Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Victoria. He led the team in scoring with nine goals and 22 assists (31 points) in 23 games before making 19 appearances for the Storm, adding another three goals and five assists.
"Josh is a very dynamic player with a high IQ for the game,” says Storm head coach and general manager Lee Stone, “He has the ability to play both down the middle and on the wing and we fully expect that he will step into an offensive role for the club next year. With the experience he gained after joining our club during the second round of playoffs and being a part of all three championships, we believe Josh will have a breakout year as one of the best 17-year-olds in our league."
Coblenz says his long-term plans include playing Junior ‘A’ in the BCHL, and then continuing his hockey career at the collegiate level.
Senholt returns
The Storm also announced the acquisition of 1995-born defenseman Darryl Senholt from the Osoyoos Coyotes of the KIJHL in exchange for future considerations.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Senholt, who played 18 games for the Storm during the 2013-14 season before returning home for health reasons. In 55 regular season and playoff games with Osoyoos last year, the 6’5”, 201 pound left-hander scored twice, added thirteen assists, and served 51 penalty minutes.
Stone expects Senholt to play a significant role with his club this season.
"Adding Darryl back into the lineup is a huge plus for our program. He was one of my original recruits to Campbell River and it's very exciting that he is coming back to finish his Junior career and strive towards a college scholarship. Darryl will bring a veteran, calm, physical presence to the back end. He was a big piece for Osoyoos and their playoff run into the third round last season."
Senholt, a native of Calgary, says he is very excited about rejoining the Storm.
“Being traded back to the Campbell River Storm is truly an honour and an amazing feeling. When I first came to the Storm family in 2013 it immediately felt like home, and hearing that I would be coming back I got the exact same feeling. Playing in two different leagues in the past year and a half I have yet to experience anything close to the feeling you get playing in front of Storm fans at the ‘Brindy’.”
Senholt, who turns 20 in August, describes himself as a defensive defenseman who will add a physical presence to the backend.
“First and foremost I take pride in taking care of my defensive zone, and making good breakout passes to our forwards. My goal right now is to keep the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy (VIJHL Championship) in Campbell River.”
Jensen returns to Interior
Jensen is leaving the Storm after two seasons to pursue employment opportunities away from hockey closer to his home in the BC interior. However, the Oliver native will remain with the team as an Interior Scout.
"Although we are thrilled for Stefan and the opportunity that has been presented to him in the Interior we are devastated to lose him behind the bench,” says Storm Head Coach and General Manager Lee Stone, “’Jenner’, as we all know him by, was an integral part of the on ice success we have had the last two seasons. His personal skills in terms of connecting with the young men we had here were second to none, and his bench management skills rivalled any coach we faced during the last two seasons. I only hope to see ‘Jenner’ coaching again one day as he has the skills and ability to be a great coach at this level and beyond. We are thrilled he will be staying on with the Storm as an Interior scout!"
Twenty-three-year old Jensen says his time in Campbell River, which includes winning the Western Canadian Junior ‘B’ Title, has been an amazing experience.
"These past two years have provided a lot of growth for me as a coach, and as a person in general. I will be diving into the business world in the interior, but will always remember the 2015 Keystone Cup Championship. I can't begin to describe how exceptional the Campbell River Storm organization is with the treatment of its players and coaches, and its professionalism as a whole."
The Storm is actively searching for an Assistant Coach to replace Jensen for upcoming 2015-2016 season. All interested parties should forward their resume to Head Coach and GM Lee Stone at coach@campbellriverstorm.com.