The Terrace River Kings have finalized their roster, with three new juniors’ players boosting the ranks of the team.
Austin Turner, Ryan Roseboom and Colten Stark all played juniors last year and suit up with the River Kings this season.
Turner played with the 100 Mile House Wranglers, and won the Keystone Cup with the team last year, the Junior B title for all of Western Canada.
Roseboom played Junior A and Junior B over the last few years, and was named MVP of the Osoyoos Coyotes last March.
Stark played with Creston Valley Thunder Cats and Columbia Valley Rockies last year, and along with the junior players, Rajan Sangha rejoins the team after playing with the Smithers Steelheads.
Jurista says he’s confident it will be strong squad on the ice this year.
“It’s a very good mix of guys,” he said, adding that the new players will boost the team, alongside pillars such as Steve Cullis, Ben Reinbolt, Luke Walker and Luke Gordon.
“I’m still going to rely on a lot of the older guys as well,” said Jurista.
As for goalies, Patrick Leal is the number one goaltender this year, with Prince George-based goalie Jared Rathjen not on the team, and the backup goalie still to be finalized.
“Patty’s my number one,” Jurista said. “I’m relying on him to carry a big work load this year.”
The River Kings will start to gel and find position at their first game this weekend, and the crucial area will be reinforcing defence.
Tanner Braid isn’t on the team this year, going to school in Penticton, and Kenny Nordstrom and Cory Dekelver are still dealing with injuries.
Colten Braid executed a strong game in defence at the Coy Cup last year, so Jurista says he’s trying Braid there again this weekend, along with Stark and Turner.
“Austin will be good on the back end… he sees the ice well, he’s not the biggest guy but the way he plays, he can kind of control the game and make that first pass, which is pretty big for a defenceman.”
Ryan Roseboom will be forward, and Jurista says he’s happy to have him.
“He’s an all out good player, wherever he plays. He scores a lot of goals… he’s a big boy, and I think any situation we put him in, he’ll thrive.”
The River Kings hit the road Friday to play the Quesnel Kangaroos Saturday and the Williams Lake Stampeders Sunday. Their first home game is coming up Oct. 7.
For story on Turner and his 2016 Keystone Cup victory click here, and for a story on Roseboom, Bell and several other Terrace boys who won awards with the Osoyoos Coyotes last year click here.