Leafs offensive leader Jamie Vlanich joins BCHL's Langley Rivermen
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Leafs were dealt a major blow to its Kootenay International Junior Hockey League title chances when the team’s best player, Jamie Vlanich, agreed to join the Langley Rivermen Junior “A” hockey club this week.
The 20-year old sniper has been burning up the KIJHL offensively this season, totaling 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points and a tie for top spot in league scoring.
Vlanich, coming to Nelson in the off-season from Castlegar along with Travis Wellman, has also been one of the main reasons why Nelson is leading the league with a 13-0-1-1 record.
“Obviously the (Rivermen) have been doing great and I’m looking forward to adding to the progress that they have made already in what is going to be a successful season and hopefully a long playoff run,” Vlanich said on the Langley website.
The loss of Vlanich puts a huge hole in a Leaf lineup that has relied on the one-two punch of Vlanich and Wellman to lead the team offensively.
“I’m not really shocked,” said Leaf coach Frank Maida following practice Wednesday.
“Jamie has played extremely well for us and I believe he deserves the opportunity to play Junior A.”
Maida said Rivermen scouts were in the Okanagan watching a few KIJHL games.
Ironically, the scouts were not even watching Vlanich.
But after the Trail native racked up eight points in three Leaf wins, the Rivermen personal made the call Monday to offer Vlanich a spot on the roster.
“It’s the philosophy of the franchise that we want to move players along up to the next level,” Maida explained. “We believe in that and we’re very happy for Jamie.”
This is the third consecutive year Maida has dealt with the loss of a key player.
Two seasons ago Patrick Martens was burning up the league offensively, and was summoned, ironically, by the same Langley franchise.
Last year 16-year-old Colton McCarthy, again the Leafs best player, decided to leave the team when Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League came calling.
“The loss of Jamie is a good challenge for the rest of the players on the team to step up and fill his offence,” Maida explained.
The departure of Vlanich gives Nelson 11 forwards on the roster.
Maida is expected to either make a deal for another forward or call up an affiliated player for the two weekend games, Friday in Spokane against the Braves and Saturday at home versus the Osoyoos Coyotes.
Meanwhile, Vlanich didn’t wait very long to make an impact with the Rivermen.
The shifty centerman had an assist in Langley’s 4-3 win over Chilliwack Wednesday in BCHL action.
