The Summerland Steam enjoyed a strong hockey season last year, ending with a seventh game loss in the division semi-finals in March.
“It was a really good year and we’re moving in the right direction,” said Gregg Wilson, co-owner and general manager of the team.
In the semi-finals, the team faced the North Okanagan Knights.
Several of the Steam players were noted for their contributions on the ice.
At the year-end awards in March, Olli Dickson was named fan favourite, Josh DaCosta was named top defence player, Brett Huber was named most valuable player, Rylan Sideroff was named most sportsmanlike player and Kienan Scott was named rookie of the year and top scorer.
Daylan Robertson was named most valuable player in the playoffs.
In fall, when the team began its new season, many of last year’s players had moved on.
Only seven of the players were part of the previous year’s team.
Despite the turnover, Wilson said the players have excelled on the ice.
“We probably have one of the strongest defence cores in the league,” Wilson said. “We have the lowest goals against average in the league.”
The team ended 2014 in second place in the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference: Okanagan Division in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
The team’s record was 22 wins, 11 losses and two overtime losses, placing the team behind the Osoyoos Coyotes, but ahead of the Princeton Posse, Kelowna Chiefs and North Okanagan Knights.
Regular season action will continue until Feb. 14.
The Summerland Steam has been the community’s Junior B team since 2011.