The three main ingredients to a successful hockey team

There are so many factors that can help a team be successful. Creating turnovers on the ice and then capitalizing on those chances is something that often separates the good teams from the bad, or unlucky ones. Goaltending is always paramount. Just ask the Buffalo Sabres who made the playoffs many years that they probably shouldn't have because number #39 was guarding the crease.

Another big factor is leadership, which can manifest it self in a variety of ways on a team. There a vocal, bigger-than-life leaders like Mark Messier, who have that look in their eyes that gives confidence to their team mates and puts fear in the opposition. There are quiet leaders, like Joe Sakic, who let their play on the ice do the talking for them. Sometimes, it's a guy that isn't the most talented on the team, but he's the one who plays with his heart on his sleeve and will do whatever is necessary to guide his team through the highs and lows. I don't know if one type of leadership is better than the other, but I do know it's an integral part of any team that hopes to achieve great things.

This friday, there will be some good leaders on the ice for both the Storm and Panthers. Campbell River's new captain, #9 Jesse Bachmeier is a guy that could just let his play on the ice do the talking for him, but according to his team mates, he isn't afraid to hold them accountable in the dressing room.

The Panthers have a guy very similar it seems in #11 Evan Campbell. After a pair of seasons in the KIJHL with the Nelson Leafs and Creston Valley Thundercats, where he put up 90 points in 99 games, last season the speedy forward took his game to another level, leading the team in assists, while posting 65 points in 46 games. His attention to both ends of the ice, though, is what had new Coach Jackson Penny anoint him captain of the reigning league champs.

I talked with Evan today about the pressure of leading a team that every other team is gunning for. I also wanted to know, as a player that's played in both the KIJHL and VIJHL, along with facing the PIJHL champions in last year's Cyclone Taylor Cup, where does he think the VIJHL ranks in comparison to the other two.

#28 Jordan Suzuki (L), with #15 Robert Eliason

The Storm have more than just Jesse Bachmeier as their new leader. For the second straight year, Steven Schmidt wears an 'A'. As a clutch player that seemingly does it all, it's a no-brainer.

Another is Jordan Suzuki.
A smooth skater that can play forward and defense equally well, I asked him about adapting to his new role as mentor to a young Storm blueline, and how he's been able to help quarterback the powerplay, which was a weakness last season.



You can listen to full length interviews with both players during the broadcast friday night during the intermissions. The pre-game show with myself and Joe O'Shea gets underway around 7:15.