Fort St. John Flyers unveil 2024-25 season schedule

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Flyers have announced their upcoming 2024-25 North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) schedule beginning next month.

Team president Paul Van Nostrand is enthusiastic and hopes the club will “grow” coming into the year. 

The Flyers took their lumps last season, failing to win a regular season game and being swept in the playoffs.

“We’re a year older,” said Van Nostrand. “The players are more used to senior hockey here in Northern BC. I look forward to seeing our players with more experience out on the ice.”

“I think our players have learned a lot from last season.  We didn’t manage to pull out a win, but were actually in a lot of games and leading in some until later on.  It was just a lack of experience, a lack of discipline in some cases.”

Expansion was at the forefront of the NPHL offseason, with the Fox Creek Knights added to the league.

The Knights are joined by the High Prairie Regals, who last played in the NPHL in 2019.

Van Nostrand says new teams this year will provide an “unknown” challenge.  

“Fox Creek has never had a team in that part of Alberta in the NPHL,” said Van Nostrand. “They’ll be able to draw players from Whitecourt and Mayerthorpe. I’m not sure what to expect.”

“My understanding is High Prairie has a whole new organization, and younger players. Some experienced players as well. They’ve been off and on in the league since the 1950s.  They’re an unknown as well.”

Also, in a new way of promoting the team, the club has started a TikTok account. Van Nostrand says the account will be used by the training and photography staff to generate more interest in the club.

Fort St. John will open the year against the Dawson Creek Canucks on Saturday, October 19th at North Peace Arena.  The season will finish against the Spirit River Rangers on February 1st.

The puck drop for all games is at 8:30 p.m.