What do Canadian forwards Jassi Sangha, Brock Backus and Jamie Galbraith have in common?  Well yes they are all Canadian, but they also played on the same junior team, the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.  Sangha led the Storm in point scoring for two consecutive seasons and was ranked in the top 5 scoring in the league in 2007 and 2008.  In his time in the KIJHL he was also called up to the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL on many occasions.

After the Storm’s narrow defeat in the KIJHL 2008 final both Backus and Sangha were offered to play for the University of Southern Maine Huskies, while Galbraith finished his third and final season for the Storm who again finished second in early 2009.

With the departure of both veterans Brett Thomas and Chris Sekura, the Kamloops trio will look to bring some offensive spark.   Not to mention a little aid in defence if required as Galbraith plays both positions well. “One thing that hurt us last year in the playoffs were injuries which left us a bit shallow at the back, this year we have an abundance of defensemen and an import which can slip back there if we need him to” adds coach Mark Stephenson.

American forward Matthew Monaghan completes the import roster and adds some more speed and a physical presence which suits the doggies’ just fine.

Most successful campaigns for sporting teams are usually a result of team chemistry.  In the Australian Ice Hockey League it is sometimes quite challenging finding the right mix of imports that will gel and flow with the team.  The Ice Dogs are confident that they have the right mix this year and can now focus on getting the job done.