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Changes underway for Summerland Steam

Junior B hockey team has new head coach, new players
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The Summerland Steam has seen some changes.

Ken Karpuk replaces John DePourcq as coach of a squad that won 25 games and collected 54 points last season.

Karpuk’s message to players is simple: “We just want to be hard working.”

Steam camp is Aug. 24 to 25.

“I think hockey is all about competing and if you compete hard every night, you are going to win some, and you are going to lose some. But you will win more than you lose. You have to come prepared to work hard and give the team a chance to win every night,” said Karpuk, who coached in the Penticton Minor Hockey Association and the Western Professional Hockey League.

Karpuk is excited by returnees Corey Loring, Cody Swan and Morey Babakaiff to provide leadership. Eric Scherger returns between the pipes.

He liked what he saw during spring camp. Among the players to watch is Kelowna’s Jarrett Watson, 16, and Silas Kelly.

“I think he will be a good one,” Karpuk said of Watson. “He skates really well. Sees the ice well and has a very good hockey IQ. He does the little things right.”

Another notable is Noah Eisenhut, son of former NHLer Neil Eisenhut, who also played for the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in 1983 to 1984.