Senior Flyers general manager upbeat about training camp, season start

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Senior Flyers are ready to prepare for the upcoming North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) season.

The puck drops on training camp on Wednesday, October 1st at the North Peace Arena.  

Flyers general manager Lee Hartman told Energeticcity.ca over 50 players could be on the ice this evening, with several veterans – including team captain Cayle Bell – returning from last year.

“I don’t think we are losing too many guys from last year’s squad,” said Hartman. “Some have not put their notice in that they are coming. We hope that everybody who played last year will attend training camp. Obviously there is going to be [some] roster change.”

The Flyers struggled last season, losing their first 10 games before a stretch of five wins in seven games throughout mid-December into January.

They finished with a record of five wins and 15 losses, being swept in the first round of the NPHL playoffs at the hands of the Dawson Creek Canucks.

While Hartman says interim coach Eric Nystoruk did a “great job” stepping in for former bench boss Craig Faulkner, the Flyers hired former team defenceman Reid Campbell as the team’s new coach this summer.

The hiring, along with the provincial senior AA hockey championship – the Coy Cup – being contested in nearby Dawson Creek in 2026, has further fuelled interest.

“We were lucky enough to land Reid and his staff,” said Hartman. “With that came a significant bounce up in players wanting to try out.”

As the NPHL is a “working man’s league,” according to Hartman, he is confident the excess players will give the team some much-needed depth.

“The best ability we can ask for is availability,” said Hartman. “Somebody that’s on the bubble who can make every game is probably going to have a leg up on a guy that might be slightly more skilled that is a shift worker.”

Flyers’ training camp begins at 7:30 p.m. with player registration, followed by ice time beginning at 8:45 p.m. at the North Peace Arena on 9805 96th Avenue in Fort St. John.

Anyone who would like to try out for the team must be at least 18 years old and wear full gear, including Canadian Safety Association-approved helmets with visors and ear pieces.

Further details and how to register are available by contacting Hartman by phone at 250-261-9865.