Local Hockey - The Ghostriders
Most people come to Fernie for the snow. With an average snowfall of almost 30 feet a year one could see why. The population can double in size in the winter with eager skiers and boarders from various parts of the world, and they all come to experience Fernie pow. What they also find while here are some of Fernie’s other hidden treasures; warm friendly people, amazing restaurants, great local watering holes, jobs that let you come to work late when it snows...and one of Fernie’s greatest treasures the Fernie Ghostriders.
The Ghostriders are the local hockey team - a Junior B hockey team part of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Ghostriders provide some of the best entertainment on a Friday or Saturday night during the winter in Fernie. On the coldest winter nights you will find a packed crowd in the Fernie Memorial Arena. Aussies, Swedes, Brits, and long time locals alike banging on the boards, drinking Fernie Brewing Company beer, or buying a pop and popcorn for their first high school date. It is small town hockey at its finest, both the atmosphere and the actual hockey.
The Ghostriders have been around since 1991 and have been part of the KIJHL since 2004. They have been the KIJHL champs in 2007 and again in 2008. They looked for the three-peat in 2009 and came just short losing in the semi finals to the Nelson Leafs. The winners of the KIJHL go on to play in the Cyclone Taylor Cup against the winners of BC’s other Junior B hockey divisions. The winner of the Cyclone Taylor Cup gets bragging rights across all of BC and it is being hosted in Fernie this year, March 31- April 3. As the host they get an automatic bye into the tourney, but if I were a betting woman (which I am) I would wager they will get there as divisional champs.
Fernie is also hosting to the KIJHL all star game January 14.
Some players to watch...
At time of press Thomas Abenante led the team in points and penalty minutes. Rookie goalie and Fernie local Fraser Abdallah leads the entire league in goals against average and save percentage (if you don't know what those mean don't worry it just means he is awesome). Tough guy Zach Baba is equally at home blocking shots and laying hits and veteran defenseman Mike Wiest leads the team’s defense in scoring.
Junior hockey is fast, sharp, rough and tumble and the Ghostriders do not lack in any of these areas. Fernie's Junior B hockey team also offers a high entertainment value for the non hockey enthusiast, although you live in Canada so get with it and become a hockey enthusiast.
Here is a list of things to do at the next home game to ensure a good time!
1) Drink local Fernie beer (watch you do not spill it on your neighbour and if you do, offer to buy them one).
2) Learn a few new Aussie slang words (however watch your kid doesn't start repeating these words...)
3) Wave a number one fan foam finger (although maybe not at your kid if he is repeating Aussie slang, you might not be taken too seriously)
4) Purchase Ghostrider merchandise (the logo and designs are some of the coolest in all of hockey)
5) Buy 50/50 tix (jackpots can be $800 which can aid in the purchase of new skis or cute winter coat)
6) Socialize (although don't start asking the guy next to you what happened if you spend most of the game discussing the wardrobe you are going to buy with the 50/50 money you think you are going to win)
7) Most importantly cheer (and perhaps if you didn't pay attentions to any of the players names, or are not one to notice a great hit, pass, or deke, just stick to Go Riders Go!!)
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