by Jacob Bestebroer
Welcome to Chiefs Weekly, a look at what’s happening in the Chiefs world this week…..
The big news this week was the commitment of 18 year old forward Clark Nelson to the Chiefs. Clark’s father Chad was a member of the 1994-95 Chiefs team that won the Chiefs first BCHL championship. In his final year of junior hockey Chad scored 19 goals and 24 assists to go with 209 penalty minutes in 45 games. To say he was an intimidating force on the Chiefs blueline would be an understatement.
It would also be an understatement to say Clark is excited to be following in his father’s footsteps. In a conversation I had with him earlier this week, he said it was an honor to be following Chad’s legacy here.
When I asked him what type of game the Chiefs can expect from him he replied “Chiefs fans will get a hard nosed game from me. A lot of bumping and grinding and hard hitting hockey.”
His stats last season with the Revelstoke Grizzlies of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League certainly back that up. In 34 regular season games he scored 13 goals and nine assists to go along with 145 minutes in penalties. He added four goals, two assists and 49 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games.
Chad is no less pleased to see Clark follow his footsteps. “Of course I’m proud but I’m truly happy for him. He deserves this opportunity to lay for such a classy organization like the Chiefs”.
He also agreed with what type of player the Chiefs are getting. “Well I named him after my childhood idol Wendel Clark. He plays a lot like him. A very smart heads up two way player.”
As part of our ongoing Where Are They Now features I caught up with former Chiefs defenseman Jeff Barlow. When I touched base with him and explained to him what I was calling for he said “Well if you want to know where I am right now, I’m in the penalty box, this time for a good reason. I’m scorekeeping my son’s lacrosse game. While with the Chiefs he did spend some time in the penalty box. In 173 games with the Chiefs, he picked up 520 penalty minutes. Part one can be found here. Part two should be ready next week.
From the BCHL office, Chris Hebb is the new boss. Full details can be found here.
