TSE Recruitment Guide 2021

The Trail Smoke Eaters are a premiere
Junior-A hockey club in the British
Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Steeped in hockey tradition, the iconic
Trail Smoke Eaters are one of the most
widely recognized hockey teams in the
world. Having won two World
Championships in 1939 and 1961 as well
as competing for numerous Provincial
and National Championships, the name
and logo of the Trail Smoke Eaters is
recognized throughout the hockey
community. The Trail Smoke Eaters
continue to build upon this legacy
where the main goal is to add another
championship win in the history books.
2019-20 Captain, Philippe Lapointe
1961 Trail Smoke Eaters
World Championship Replica Jersey
The Trail Smoke Eaters joined the BCHL in 1995
and have since been competitive in one of the
most difficult Junior A Divisions in the country.
From the heart of the Kootenays to the shores
of Vancouver Island, the BCHL reaches into 18
valuable communities throughout BC and the Pacific
Northwest.The BCHL has established itself as a national leader
in the development of young student athletes. It is renowned
as one of the top training grounds in North America, advancing
players to both the collegiate and professional level every
season, more than any other hockey league in Canada.

The City of Trail, situated on the Columbia River in the West Kootenay
region of southern British Columbia, is a unique and culturally rich
sports town populated by 7,709 people. Trail is known for its
outstanding recreational facilities, abundance of outdoor activities, and
active arts and culture community. The Greater Trail Area, which
includes the cities of Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Fruitvale, and
two Regional Districts — along with the neighbouring cities of Castlegar
and Nelson — make up a population of nearly 35,000.
The Trail Memorial Centre, housing the primary ice rink Cominco Arena,
has bowl style seating for 2,100 Smoke Eaters fans plus additional
standing room space for over 650 more people. The Cominco Arena is
one of the finest hockey facilities in the province, and was recently
upgraded with the installation of a state of the art 19 foot x 10 foot LED
video screen, centre-mounted four sided score-clock, full sound system,
broadcast booth, and LED lighting.
We have the BEST FANS in the BCHL, averaging over 1900
during regular season and 2000+ fans during playoffs, The team’s
average attendance per population size is the best in the BCHL
and ranks as one of the highest in the country.

Smoke Eaters Captain, Philippe Lapointe, Assistant Captains, Kent
Johnson and Powell Connor, forward Owen Ozar and goaltender Logan
Terness were all named to the Team Canada West Selection Camp
TO BE THE BEST JUNIOR A HOCKEY PROGRAM IN
CANADA BY HAVING A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND
HIGH COMPETE LEVEL, WITH THE MAIN GOAL OF
IMPROVING BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A TEAM.
THE SMOKE EATERS WAY
COMMITMENT • COURAGE • COMPETE
“GROWTH MINDSET”
DESIRE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH
CHALLENGES, PERSISTENCE, MAXIMUM EFFORT,
TEAM VISION
LEADERSHIP, INSPIRATION, HABITS.
“YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU DESERVE, YOU GET
WHAT YOU EARN”

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Continuing to build upon the legacy, the Trail Smoke Eaters aim to
enlist talented players and character individuals who will take pride in
pulling on an orange and black jersey.
Building a foundation that will not only develop successful hockey
players, but will help them grow into positive contributors within our
communities.
Building a program that will not only be measured in wins and losses,
but also by the personal growth of each athlete throughout their
career as a Trail Smoke Eater.
Trusting the process, accepting challenges, overcoming adversity and
becoming the best athlete and person they can become.

• Team & Individual Yearly Training Plan (YTP)
• On-Ice Development Training Programming – 2 ice sessions daily
• Individual Skill Development Training
• Position (Forwards/Defense/Goalies) Specific Development Training
• Team and Individual Video Training Sessions
• Off-Ice Development Training Programming: 3 training sessions weekly
• Character Education Modules: • Mental Toughness, Leadership,
Individual SWOT Analysis & Growth Plan, Self-Confidence,
Fear of Failure and Qualities of a Great Teammate
• Athletic Therapy & Rehabilitation Services
• Academic Advisor Services: Transcripts, NCAA Eligibility, SAT/ACT Prep
The Smoke Eaters have privately owned, state-of-the-art amenities within
the historic Cominco Arena, including renovated Weight Room, Players'
Lounge, Dressing Room, Showers, Coaching Staff Offices, Athletic
Therapy/Medical Rehabilitation Facilities and Smoke Eaters Store.
Weight Room
Work Out Facility
Players Lounge

A primary emphasis of both the Trail Smoke Eaters and the BCHL is
education and developing these young men to be successful on and off
the ice. The Smoke Eaters are proud of the focus placed on education to
help our players move forward with a successful education experience
through hockey at universities in Canada and the United States.
Throughout the past 5 years the Trail Smoke Eaters have assisted over 60
players in obtaining scholarships at the NCAA and U-Sport levels.
Seth Barton
Detroit Red Wings Draft pick,
Committed to UMASS-Lowell
Seth joined the Trail Smoke Eaters as an 18-year-old
rookie after completing his minor hockey career
• 2017/18 season 49 GP 6 G 27 A,
earning a scholarship to University of
Massachusets Lowell for the following season
• Gold medal winner with Team
Canada West at the world Junior A Challenge
• Drafted to the Detroit Red Wings in the 3rd round,
81st overall
Connor Sweeney with Billet Family
Kyle Budvarson with Billet Family
The Trail Smoke Eaters have some of the most amazing billet families
who open their homes to offer our young athletes a place to call home.
Billet homes provide support and a positive environment, while helping
players achieve academic and athletic excellence.

• Highly recruited young talent who signed with the Smoke Eaters
as a 16 year old in 2018/19
• Played in 109 games recording 61 G 86 A for 147 pts for the
Smoke Eaters earning a scholarship to the University of Michigan
where he is playing as a true freshman
• 2019/20 BCHL MVP and CJHL Top Forward
• Member of Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge
• 5th overall 2021 NHL draft pick to Columbus Blue Jackets
Trail is a hockey town that
cares about their team. Joining the
Trail Smoke Eaters was the best
decision I made. It helped me develop,
both as a player and a person.
~ Kent Johnson
"
• Signed with the Smoke Eaters in 2019/20 for his final year of junior hockey
after having played 2 seasons in the USHL and in the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
• Captained the 2019/20 season 36 GP 20 G 35 A, prior to earning a scholarship to
the University of Michigan
• Assistant captain at the World Junior A challenge for Team Canada West
There is no better place to play than the Cominco
Arena. The fans are the best in the BCHL and the
atmosphere is electric. The main reason why I chose
Trail is because of the people in the organization.
Everyone is there to help you reach your fullest
"
potential. The Smokies are a family I am proud
to be part of. ~ Philippe Lapointe
• Acquired via trade during the 2019/20 season Cody would play in 43 games
recording 9 G 19 A for 28 pts over the course of his career with the Smoke Eaters
• Captain of the team for the 2020/21 season prior to earning a scholarship to
the University of Vermont
Playing in Trail was unlike anything I was exposed to
before – the preparation from the coaches, players, and staff
was incredible and the facilities surpass most Division 1
programs. My junior experience with the Smoke Eaters was
life-changing and I wouldn’t be the hockey player, or person,
that I am today. I am very thankful I was able to play a small
part in such a storied franchise.
~ Cody Schiavon
"

Tim Fragle | General Manager & Head Coach
t.fragle@trailsmokeeaters.com
Dustin Korlak | Associate Coach, Director of Player Development
d.korlak@trailsmokeeaters.com
Dallas Calvin | Assistant Coach
dallas@elevate-sport.ca
Jeff Urekar | Director of Scouting & Player Personnel
j.urekar@trailsmokeeaters.com
Ty Rimmer | Goaltending Coach
tyrimmer92@gmail.com
Joseph DeMarco | Athletic Trainer
AT@trailsmokeeaters.com
Scouting Operations
Dean Moisan (AB, SK), Dave Rudin (BC), Derek Sanders (BC),
Scott Cassels (AB), Justin Van Parys (AB)
Rich & Annie Murphy | President / Owners
r.murphy@trailsmokeeaters.com; a.murphy@trailsmokeeaters.com
Craig Clare | Director of Hockey & Business Operations
c.clare@trailsmokeeaters.com
Allison McCarthy | Corporate Sales & Event Manager
a.mccarthy@trailsmokeeaters.com
Geoff Fontes | Director of Media Operations
g.fontes@trailsmokeeaters.com
Ben Phillips | Team Broadcaster & Marketing Assistant
b.phillips@trailsmokeeaters.com
Trail Smoke Eaters | 1051 Victoria Street Trail, BC | (250) 364-9994