.September 1999

Rookies lack intensity; new recruits come to training camp
By Kevin Parnell
September 1, 1999
At a time when they were supposed to be fighting for jobs, a group of 32 rookies showed little eagerness to impress either the coaches or a healthy number of fans on Sunday at the Quesnel Millionaires training camp.
The rookies were vying for jobs at an intersquad game, won 9-5 by the yellow team. But there was surprising little intensity and the game wasn't much for entertainment value.
It did give coaches Ken and Brad Gassoff enough of a look at this year's crop of rookies to make the first cuts of camp. "I was expecting it to be a little more physical," said head coach Ken Gassoff following the game. "I definitely thought there would be more intensity, especially with mostly rookies playing."
Following the game, the Mills trimmed their roster from nearly 50 down to 32. That number is now reduced even more, to about 24 players.
Due to deadline, the latest cuts, and the results of last night's first exhibition game between the Mills and the Prince George Spruce Kings are not available.
There are a few new faces in Quesnel's training camp this week as cuts are made at major junior camps. To help fill the void left when goalie Seth Stetson departed, the team has brought in a young goaltender who was cut from the Medicine Hat Tigers' Camp. Seventeen year old Reggie Tkalcic is expected to be in camp this week.
Quesnel's Dean Schultz has continued to be impressive in camp and appears to be a lock to make the team as either starting or back-up goalie.
Forward Jake Ellingson is also back from the Kelowna Rockets' WHL camp. Ellingson, who recorded 69 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Mills last season, adds toughness to the team.
Also new in camp this week is six-foot-three, 200 pound Matt Spencer who was also cut loose from Kelowna's camp. Spencer can play both forward and defense.
As for Sunday's intersquad game goes, it lacked the intensity and desperation that should have been evident as rookies tried to make the team. There were no fights and only a few good body checks. "Out of the two teams, there is probably going to be six of those guys around after cuts and maybe to start the season," Gassoff said.
Among the first cuts of the camp were Quesnel players Steve and Craig Bordeleau, Brad Nordal, Jordan Dagenais, and Chad Ingram.
The intersquad game did give the 100 or so fans who showed up a look ata couple of exciting new players sure to make the team.
Cousins Craig and Bryan Reid were head and shoulders above nearly everyone on the ice, as they darted and danced their way to five of the nine goals their team scored. Bryan had three goals and Craig two, and despite being small forwards, both showed they weren't afraid to throw the body around and get into the corners.
Quesnel's Ian Ferster also impressed the coaching staff playing on a line with the Reids.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the training camp is the number of quality defensemen fighting for jobs. With fourveterans sure to make the team there are two and maybe three spots open for rearguards. Six-foot-three inch Brett Gilmour was the most impressive rookie blueliner. Although not terribly physical, Gilmour skates and passes the puck well, and has a good shot. There are as many as four defensemen who will fight it out for the final spot, including Quesnel minor hockey product John Wilson, and big newcomer Brett Barefoot. Williams Lake's Ryan Bremner, picked up last year from Penticton, has been rock-solid in camp and promises to help what was an ailing defense corps last season.
Gassoff says the club is still keeping all options open as far as getting more players. "We're relatively happy but we're still not where we want to be," he said.
the battle for spots on the blueline was reduced by one this week as Jim Beckerly opted to leave camp. Beckerly, a smooth puck-handler was obtained from Penticton with Bremner, but decided he didn't want to play. The Mills do retain his Junior A rights.
Off the ice, the Millionaires are still trying to increase the number of season tickets. There are about 300 season ticket holders, but president Kit Collins says they would like to see more. "We're pushing for 500," Collins said this week. "We haven't held the town up for ransom like so many other places, but it would give the club a way better working account. There's a lot of people who want junior hockey in Quesnel, but its been available and seems to get taken for granted."
Mills impressive....so far
By Kevin Parnell
September 5, 1999
It has been an encouraging start to the 1999/2000 BCHL campaign for the Quesnel Millionaires.
The team has played well in preseason, led by an impressive crop of newcomers and a solid group of returning veterans. The Millionaires have trimmed their roster to 24 players and will get down to 21 prior to Friday's season opener against Merritt at the Twin Ice Arenas.
An impressive showing by the rookies in the first two exhibition wins against Prince George is making the last cuts of camp difficult for coaches Ken and Brad Gassoff. "I was impressed with the intensity and the work ethic," said head coach Ken Gassoff. "I don't know how much you get out of games like that(Wednesday's 6-1 win in Prince George), but I was impressed with our guys."
The Millionaires began the exhibition season with an impressive 4-0 shutout win over the Spruce Kings on Tuesday. The rookie-filled squad dominated Prince George, badly outshooting and outhitting them.
The rivalry between the Millionaires and Kings got off to a fiesty start with eight fights as youngsters on each squad tried to impress their coaches. The best fight of the night came just 1:22 into the first period when Quesnel defenseman John Wilson and Prince George's Steve Apps dropped the gloves and went toe-to-toe with Wilson earning the decision.
The 19-year old Wilson has been one of the best stories of camp. Wilson, who played his minor hockey in Quesnel, didn't play any hockey last year. But his physical play, good defense, and tremendous shot has impressed the coaches. Wilson is among nine defensemen the Mills had in camp as of the weekend, and the team may carry seven to start the season.
Wilson, Nanaimo's Tyrel Smith, and newcomer to camp Matt Spencer apprear to be on the bubble, with returnees Devin Walshe, Dustin Frame, and Craig Tresierra along with Ryan Bremner, and rookies Brett Barefoot and Brett Gilmour slotted into the top six.
Heading into this weekend's final two exhibition games against Prince George, the Mills still had five goalies in camp. Quesnel Minor Hockey product Jasen Foreman was let go Thursday. The 16-year-old Foreman, who played forward in bantam house last season, had a superb camp. "I was impressed with him," Gassoff said. "He had a great camp, especially for not playing goal last season. Whenever he played, he definitely did a good job." It came down to a numbers game for Foreman with five goalies still in camp and just two exhibition games to play.
Starter Dean Schultz was slated to play half of each of the games this weekend, and the Mills are planning on getting down to two or three goalies after Saturday night's game. "We'd like an experienced goalie to work woth Dean," Gassoff said. "If we don't find one though, we're prepared to start the season with Dean and one of the other guys here."
As far as other local players till with the team as of Saturday, there are returnees Tresierra, Schultz, and Kevin Nelson. Joining them are Ian Ferster and Mike Freeman who have both been playing very good. Ferster may have the best shot of those two of making the team.
Both Ken and Brad have been happy with what they have seen so far in camp, but they remain cautious that it is stille arly. "I'm starting to like what I see out there," said Ken. "I wish we'd play some teams other than Prince George to see what we've got. But I've been relatively happy with what I've seen."
Mills make two deals Tuesday
By Kevin Parnell
September 8, 1999
The Quesnel Millionaires acquired four players in two seperate trades on Tuesday.
In the first deal, Quesnel sent forward Jake Ellingson to Chilliwack for goalie Jason Montgomery and defenseman Mike Kirby, both 19-year-olds.
"We may lose a little toughness in Ellingson," said coach and gm Ken Gassoff, "but we definately gained a lot of experience as both players have had BCHL experience."
The Mills then sent disgruntled defenseman Jim Beckerly to Nanaimo for forward Reid Litster and goalie Bill Dick, who is currently having an excellent camp with Kamloops of the WHL but who may stay in major junior.
Neither Ellingson nor Beckerly were in the team's plans for this season.
Mills open season with five locals
by Kevin Parnell
September 12, 1999
The Quesnel Millionaires bagen the BCHL season with five local players. Quesnel Minor Hockey products Ian Ferster and John Wilson survived the final cuts from training camp Thursday, making the 21 man roster. Ferster and Wilson join returnees Dean Schultz, who begins the year as the number one goalie, second year player Kevin Nelson and 20-year-old defenseman Craig Tresierra as Quesnel players who made the team.
"I'm pretty pumped up about it," said Ferster after meeting with coaches Ken and Brad Gassoff. "It's a lot of weight off your shoulders. You work hard and finally get your answer. It feels good to sign the card."
It was a fairly eventful week leading up to Friday night's season opener, at home to Merritt.
** The final cuts of camp were made Thursday. Clayton Scheibel from Nanaimo, tough but unskilled forward Matt Spencer and Quesnel midget Mike Freeman were let go by the team. Freeman, who had a stron camp, will be affiliated with the team as a midget and will likely get some playing time. Head Coach Ken Gassoff liked the way Freeman played. "I thought he had a great camp," Gassoff said of the hard working Freeman. "I didn't know what to expect. He was a pleasent surprise. He was very close to making the team."
** The Millionaires named Nick Udovicic as the team captain. "He showed leadership last year," said Gassoff. "So far in training camp, Nick has shown he can be a leader." Rob Simnor, Adrian Paolinelli, and Ryan Bremner were named assistant captains.
** Both players obtained in the Jake Ellingson deal with Chilliwack have arrived in Quesnel. Goalie Jason Montgomery practiced with the team Thursday while defenseman Mike Kirby arrived late Thursday.
** There was no word on whether forward Reid Litster or goalie Bill Dick will play for Quesnel. Both were obtained from Nanaimo for defenseman Jim Beckerly. The six-foot-two Litster hasn't decided whether he wants to play and Dick is expected to remain in Kamloops' WHL camp at least until the season begins.
** Gassoff was relatively happy with the team that emerged from training camp. "I'm a little leary about our size up front but we took what we thought was the best team. We think we're alright. There can always be changes but I would say right now we're not looking to make any. We have two experienced goalies, five experienced defensemen and a lot of experience up front."
Kelley oozes speed and character
by Kevin Parnell
September 12, 1999
The first thing you notice about Millionaires' forward Paul Kelley on the ice is his blazing speed.
He's got great wheels.
Off the ice, the first thing you notice is the hair.
The five-foot-nine speedster has a definite flair for extravagance.
From his streaked blonde shoulder length locks, to the baby blue polyester suit, complete with bell bottoms and platform shoes, he wore to the Mills' award banquet last season, Paul Kelley may be as flamboyant as junior hockey players get.
"He's a character," confirms Kit Collins, Millionaires' president and Kelley's billet this season. "He has a good sense of humor but at the same time, he has a good perspective of waht is going on in life."
Kelley admits to being a bit of a jokester in the dressing room. "I guess I am a little goofy," Kelley says the day before the Mills' season and home opener Friday night. "I didn't grow this hair for nothing, and I got some white skates in the mail. I guess if you feel like you look good, then you'll play good."
Above all else, the Millionaires' coaching staff is counting on offense from the lightning quick Kelley this season. "We're expecting big things out of him," says coach and general manager Ken Gassoff. "We definitely think he should be a star in this league. He's one of the fastest skaters in the league."
Kelley's quickness got him at least a breakaway per game last season and he could have doubled his scoring output had he capitalized on his chances, Gassoff says.
Kelley and fellow 20-year-old Nick Udovicic came to the Millionaires last season from Burnaby in a deal for Scott Ganes who had quit the team.
"I was disappointed," Kelley, a Grand Forks native, admits. "Even though we weren't doing well, I was enjoying Burnaby. I only knew Quesnel wasn't doing well. It took me awhile but I did start to do well here. Now I'm back and I think we can have a good season."
Even though this year's club hasn't had much time to gel, Kelley sees good things in the dressing room. "I think the chemistry is a lot better than last year. It's pretty good how we've been getting along."
As a 20-year-old this is an important season for Kelley. Like Gerald Overton, Jason Maxwell and Casey Bartzen last season, Kelley is hoping to impress scouts and earn a hockey scholarship. He knows to do that, he'll have to put up some good numbers. "I hope to get a university scholarship, so I'll need to have a good offensive year," he says. "And I think I can do that."
For the Millionaires to be successful, offense from Kelley will be a must this season.
Mills stumble, suffer several injuries
by Kevin Parnell
September 15, 1999
Any optimism this year's version of the Millionaires generated in an encouraging training camp and preseason was destroyed on the weekend, as the club stumbled out of the blocks this BCHL season.
The Millionaires played two uninspiring home games, looking slow, small, and confused in lopsided losses to Merritt Friday night and Langley on Saturday.
And to make things worse, they suffered several injuries to experienced players.
Twenty year old Paul Kelley, probably the best Millionaires in Friday's 8-5 loss to Merritt, suffered a minor shoulder seperation, while Dustin Frame and Adrian Paolinelli sustained minor concussions.
The trio join Kelly Riou (hand) and Craig Tresierra (shoulder) on the injury list.
Friday's 8-5 score flattered a Millionaires team that came out completely flat in their home opener.
"I was disappointed with the effort," said head coah Ken Gassoff. "Especially from our 20-year-olds. I expected more leadership on the ice from them. I didn't think some of them were giving 100%, and that carried on down through the team."
Too many penalties, not enough intensity and poor defense left the team trailing 5-1 after the first period against Merritt.
Dean Schultz struggled mightily in goal, and the defense, sporting four players with at least a year of BCHL experience, looked downright bad.
As for physical play, if it were a baseball game, the club would have been celebrating a no hitter.
Three goals within 1:13 in the third period miraculously brought the Mills to within a goal in a game they had no right to be in, but that sliver of hope was short-lived as the Centennials scored twice in less than a minute just two minutes later.
Saturday night's game began on a better note as the Mills came out of the gates strong, opening up a 2-0 lead.
But Langley scored six straight goals to put the game away, eventually dumping Quesnel 9-3.
We lost Frame and Paolinelli," said Gassoff, "and with the rookies playing, we got disorganized and got chasing them around."
Jason Montgomery started in goal and suffered the same lack of defensive help Schultz had to brave the night before.
Neither goalie played well enough to win the starting job. "One of them is going to have to take charge. We'll probably alternate them right now until someone proves they are number one," said Gassoff.
Perhaps the only solace in a disappointing weekend for Quesnel, was that Merritt and Langley both went into Prince George and beat the Spruce Kings, Langley winning 8-7 Friday night and Merritt beating the Kings 5-2 Saturday.
The Millionaires will have a new face in their lineup this week as 19 year old forward Reid Litster makes his first appearance after being acquired in a deal that sent defenseman Jim Beckerly to Nanaimo.
The six-foot-two Litster is expected to help the Mills offensively.
Quesnel faces a very tough test this young season as Vernon and Chilliwack come to town Friday and Saturday at the Twin Ice Arenas.
"They're both going to be tough games. We definitely need to have a healthy team against them," said Gassoff.
Most of the team's injuries are considered minor with Kelley, Paolinelli, and Frame listed as day to day.
Early returns positive on new BCHL rules
by Kevin Parnell
September 19, 1999
Two new rules instituted by the BCHL this season appear to be having the desired effect after the first week of league play.
The two fight rule has not resulted in an over-abundance of scraps so far while four-on-four play in overtime has made for an exciting finish to a couple of games.
Instead of a player being ejected from the game after a fightingmajor, players can now drop the gloves twice before being tossed.
"Certainly it has not been a fight fest," said BCHL president Ron Boileau. "It's really hard to measure as this time because it's so early, but there has only been a few fights."
A random sampling from some BCHL games has seen less fights early this season than normal.
In their first three games, the Quesnel Millionaires had just two fights, while the Vernon Vipers have had just a single scrap.
"Fighting is not a part of the game we're trying to promote," said Boileau. "We are concerned about the high sticks and lack of respect for each other and we hope this will head it in the right direction."
Vipers coach and general manager Troy Mick says the rule appears to have cut down on a lot of after-the-whistle scrums which lengthen the games and slow the pace of play.
"I think it's really cut down on the chirping after the whistles," Mick says. "Guys know if you're going to talk you better be prepared to go, or you're going to get pummelled."
Millionaires head coach and g.m. Ken Gassoff says the two fight rule hasn't turned the game into the free for all some were predicting. "I haven't seen anybody going out and looking for a fight just because of the two fight rule," he said.
The other new rule instituted this year was a tweaking of the overtime and shootout system used to break ties, and has to be considered an early season success. If teams are tied a tthe end of regulation, both recieve one point for the tie. The regular five minute overtime period ensues, but is played four on four. The results have been excellent.
"I think it's going to be an exciting rule," said Mick, whose Vipers beat Trail 6-5 in Overtime. "At four on four, there's not a lot of systems you can use. It's going to be free-wheeling."
The big thing, especially for road teams, is getting the single point, unlike last season when there was no point for a tie at the end of regulation, something that cost Quesnel points during last year's playoff race with Merritt.
"I like getting the point," said Gassoff. "Especially being on the road. There was a couple of times last year it cost us and it made it difficult."
The shoot-out disliked by many because it's an individual competition in a team sport, could be on its way out next year.
"What I think we'll consider next year is instead of the shoot out go three-on-three after the five minutes of four-on-four," explained Boileau.
Rearguard practices with Quesnel
by Kevin Parnell
September 19, 1999
A new defenseman was skating with the Millionaires this week.
Seventeen-year-old Darren Underwood joined the team late this week after being cut from the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday.
the smooth-skating Alaska native has yet to sign a card with the team and wasn't expected to see action this weekend.
If the Mills sign Underwood, someone would have to be cut as all 21 cards the team has are filled.
Quesnel plays in Nanaimo, Powell River, and Burnaby next weekend.
Mills work hard but can't get win
by Kevin Parnell
September 22, 1999
After three lacklustre games to begin the season, the Quesnel Millionaires showed up at the Twin Ice Arenas with a solid work ethic last weekend, but couldn't get their first win of the season.
The Millionaires suffered a pair of two goal losses, 5-3 Friday night at the hands of last year's National Champion Vernon Vipers, and 7-5 Saturday to Chilliwack.
The losses drop Quesnel's record to 0-and-5, but the team played well in both games, and could have won either.
"It was a bit of an improvement," said Ken Gassoff. There was a littel better effort, but you still have to win games. It doesn't matter how good the effort is, you have to win games."
But at least fans went home knowing the club had put in two solid efforts, in contrast to the opening weekend when the team stunk.
"I thought we had a chance to win the game against Vernon," said Gassoff. "We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, competing against teams like that."
The Mills battled Vernon hard all night and tied the game 3-3 at 12:32 of the third period.
But a too-many-men penalty with less than 5 minutes to play resulted in a Vernon powerplay goal and killed Quesnel's chances.
"We had a couple guys get hurt and the guys were playing on different lines," Gassoff said of the costly penalty. "One guy came off and two guys jumped on. It was a mental lapse. Those things shouldn't happen."
Saturday night against Chilliwack the Millionaires led 3-2 after the first period and were tied 3-3 when Chilliwack forward Chris colonval took a seven minute penalty.
The Mills, however, could only notch one goal with the lengthy man advantage and before the second period was over, the Chiefs led 6-4.
"I think it would have gone differently had we got another goal on the power play," said Gassoff.
The 0-and-5 start has Gassoff looking to make some changes.
"It's a very disappointing start. We're to the point where we're probably going to try and make changes. I think we need a power forward, somebody to crash the net."
Quesnel leaves Thursday night on the team's most gruelling road trip. They play Friday night in Nanaimo, Saturday night in Powell River and Sunday afternoon in Burnaby.
"Maybe getting on the road will do us some good," said Gassoff. "I think we're capable of winning some games on this road trip. It's very important to get something going and get on a roll coming back home."
Gassoffs step down!
Mills hire Dale Marquette as coach and general manager
by Kevin Parnell
September 26, 1999
Ken Gassoff smiled as he watched new head coach Dale Marquette run his first practice as head man of the Quesnel Millionaires.
It was two days after the shocking announcement that Ken and brother Brad were stepping away from the team they had built, and Gassoff was clearly relieved.
"There's a lot of pressure and stress off me," said Gassoff. "This last month it got to be a chore to come to the rink. It's really tough when you're losing."
When the Millionaires hired Ken and Brad Gassoff last season, it was only on a temporary basis. They both decided to do it just for last season. Then they agreed to stay on this year, despite both having full time jobs.
"It wasn't a career for us. After last year, we thought one more year and we'd get the organization in good shape. But the way things started and with the opportunity to get Dale, the time for change was now."
The timing of the announcement came down to the availability of Marquette, a guy who's respected around the BCHL and the WHL as an excellent young coach.
"I really think this is the best for the team. I didn't think we were getting effort the effort from the players," said Gassoff.
Last Sunday, after the Mills lost their fifth straight game to open the season, Ken and Brad approached Mills president Kit Collins, telling her they weren't happy and wanted out.
That same day, Ken had contacted Marquette in Prince George to see if he was interested in taking over.
They met each other Monday night in Hixon, and the deal was made official when Marquette accepted it Tuesday night.
Marquette was available after turning down the head coach and GM position with the Prince George Spruce Kings in the off-season.
Anyone who has watched a Millionaire game, or knows the Gassoffs, knows how competitive they are. They agonized over every loss to start the year. "It was real frustrating," said Ken. "I mean REAL hard. We're competitive. I lost a lot of sleep in the last month. I knew they could do better. When you played, you can go out and do something about it but standing on the bench and not being able to do anything.....it was tough. Brad and I are not good losers. I think we were taking the losses tougher than the players. I didn't see enough concern from the players."
Quesnel team captain Nick Udovicic echoed Gassoff's concern about what could be a losing attitude on the team. "We don't have a winning attitude," Udovicic said following a brisk workout under Marquette. "This will definitely change the attitude. It seems like Dale is on a mission and I want to help out on that mission."
Marquette's first practice with the team was what he called a light workout. It was filled with up tempo, technical drills that had the players working hard and likely fretting a tough practice. There's no doubt Marquette demands a lot of his teams. "I think I'm an energy-filled coach that bases team play around family and commitment to each other. It's always we before me."
The 31-year-old Marquette coached the Prince George Spruce Kings the last two years. In 1995-96, he coached the Prince George Cougars of the WHL.
It will be a familiar face when he takes to the bench for the first home game as Millionaires coach Friday October 1st against, who else, Prince George. "The fans have seen me come in here and coach against them enough that there aren't going to be too many surprises for the regular fans. I think I've always had a team that works hard."
Marquette took the team on the road this weekend, but hometown fans will get a firsthand look at the Mills under the new coach soon, with four of the next five games at home, beginning this Friday night against Prince George and Saturday against Merritt.
Players too different nowadays
by Kevin Parnell
September 26, 1999
It's too bad Ken and Brad Gassoff decided to pull the plug on the what should be a good team they put together.
A brutal start, injuries and a new age of player all contributed to them walking away, back to their lives and families.
"I just didn't like what I saw the first game of the season," said Ken, thinking back to the disappointing start his team got, in a shellacking at the hands of Merritt.
"Whether it was us motivating the players, I don't know. You shouldn't have to though. As a player, you should be able to motivate yourself."
You can bet Ken and Brad Gassoff had no need for a coach to motivate them when they played, Ken in the New York Rangers farm system, and Brad with the Vancouver Canucks.
Back then players sis what they were told, played where they were sent, and gave 110 percent. It's not that way anymore.
"When we were at camps, you had to work hard and you played where you could. Now it seems that players are doing you a favour when they play for you," said Ken.
I never had the pleasure of knowing either Ken or Brad Gassoff until this year. But their passion for the game shines through in everything they do. This team WILL turn around this season. It's just too bad more of the players don't have the heart Ken and Brad have. With that kind of passion, this team could go far.
Mills get first win; play well on trip
by Kevin Parnell
September 29, 1999
The Quesnel Millionaires won the first game of their three game Island road trip last weekend, entering the win column for the first time this season, with a 3-2 overtime win over Nanaimo.
It was the only game they won on the trip, but by all accounts, it was their worst game.
"We got better as the weekend went on," said head coach Dale Marquette. "I think the players are very responsive to the things I want to change. We gave ourselves a chance to win all three games. I was quite happy with what I saw."
The Millionaires followed up the win with a 5-2 loss in Powell River, and a 3-1 loss in Burnaby.
The Burnaby game was perhaps the club's best performance.
Injuries hit the club hard on the weekend as several key players missed time.
Forward Reid Litster, one of their best forwards, suffered a slight groin pull Friday, and didn't play the rest of the weekend. Paul Kelley receiverd eight stitches in his wrist after being cut by the skate of a linesman during a fight on Saturday. Luckily, he's only expected to be out for one to two weeks. Defenseman Mike Kirby (groin) and forward Brent Heaven (concussion) were also hit by injuries. All of the injuries are considered day-to-day except for Kelley's.
The three game trip was the first time Marquette had a look at the team he inherited from Ken and Brad Gassoff.
"I have a lot better idea about the team," he said before putting the team through an intense workout on Tuesday. "I think there are still areas where we definitely need to improve in order to be successful. I'm really happy with the way the weekend went. We played really good against a good team in Burnaby."
Through two weeks, Quesnel has allowed the second most goals against in the BCHL, but improved on the weekend, including holding the undefeated Bulldogs, one of the highest scoring teams in the league, to just three goals.
"Everything starts in your own end of the ice," Marquette said. "That was a common goal (on the road trip). We were going to take care of our own end. When you give up ten goals in three games, you did a pretty good job. My main priority right now is two things: that's a commitment to defense and getting the players into the conditioning I think they need to be at to play for 60 minutes."
The Mills host Prince George Friday and Merritt Saturday.
Schultz wants out
by Kevin Parnell
September 29, 1999
Quesnel Minor Hockey product Dean Schultz has asked for a trade from the Quesnel Millionaires.
Schultz, who has struggled in goal so far this year but picked up the club's only win of the weekend, made the request as goaltender Bill Dick, a late cut from Kamloops of the WHL, arrived in town and practiced with the team for the first time on Tuesday.
Marquette may make some lineup changes this week as the team is carrying three extra players but has the maximum 21 players signed.