Kerry Park Islanders add speed, skill for new VIJHL season

The 2025-26 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Schedule has been released and the Kerry Park Islanders have been busy putting together what they hope will be another winning roster. "We are excited with our signings and excited to get started," head coach Jake Ebner said. "Main camp is this week, and followed by a week of practices, it will give us a better idea of how we look. We are excited to get to work." Most recently, the Islanders have picked up hard-hitting defender Nishaan Jauhol. The Richmond product was the defender of the year this past season while playing for the North Shore Warriors U17AAA team in the Canadian School Sports Hockey League. Having caught the eye of Kerry Park GM Brandon Cox some time ago, 16-year-old forward Hudson Boulanger is now officially a Kerry Park Islander. Boulanger led the Victoria Royals U17 AAA team in scoring this past season with seven goals and eight assists through 32 games. “He’s a great local athlete but what gets me every time is his ear-to-ear smile when I see him at the rink. It showcases that true love of the game," Cox said ion social media. Originally from Edmonton, Alta, Boulanger previously played with the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy's U15 prep team in the CSSHL. The Isles have also picked up Polish forward Tomasz Ptaszek for the upcoming season. The team describes the 18-year-old as a "powerhouse" and "a speedy, scoring forward" and lauds him for his talent and experience at an international level. Ptaszek has played for the Poland U18 team. Meanwhile, the Islanders have also doubled their luck, picking up twin brothers Taran Biring and Jayan Biring. "As 16-year-olds in the PJHL last season, the brothers were already heavily relied on to block shots, kill penalties, and play with grit and determination," said the team. Also joining the Isles for the upcoming season are speedy, hard-working forward Ryan Weaver, power-forward Reece Miyoshi, and highly skilled Australian defender Tobie Gilchrist. Miyoshi and Gilchrist joined from the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy. Weaver joins the team in Mill Bay from the Kootenay Hockey Academy.