SPRINGHILL COAL MINERS - PLAYER BIOS

[JPA]

Not saying these will be any good, but hopefully a way to help familiarize the team with their supporters with a few short player bios. I'll try to do a few over the next week or two.

KODY ORR, Springhill Coal Miners  Born: October 11, 1992 Halifax NS Left Wing: Shoots L                         SEASON TEAM / LEAGUE GP G A PTS. PIM 2007-08  Dartmouth Subways NSMMHL a   35   10  14    24   48 2008-09  Amherst Ramblers MJAHL b  49     9   10   19   56 2009-10  Amherst Ramblers MJAHL  47  13    7   20   77 2010-11  Amherst Ramblers MHL  47    9  18   27   82 2011-12  Amherst Ramblers MHL  47  13    6   19   80 2012-13  Amherst Ramblers MHL c, d; e  52  33  29   62   65 2013-14  St Thomas University AUS  28    1    4     5     6 2014-15  St Thomas University AUS  23    2    4     6   23 a - Drafted by Amherst Ramblers (2-15-2008)       b - Drafted by Halifax Mooseheads (10-197-2009)  c - Named winner of the MHL Character Award d - Served as team captain                                             e - Third in MHL career games played (242)                      I first remember Kody Orr when he joined the Ramblers as a 16 year-old in 2008. Back then,  we'd all be waiting for that first preseason game. I remember that he seemed to be hitting  everything in sight and a few of us were wondering if he might stick as a 16 year-old under  Corey Crocker. He did, and he ended up playing 5 full seasons in Amherst. His 242 career  games played remains the third most in MJAHL history (see MHL record book).    Kody was always a solid two-way player and was ultra-competitive. He served as the team  captain with the Ramblers and led the team in scoring during his final season. You always  knew what you were getting when he jumped over the boards.    I'm hearing that Kody might not be able to play a lot of games, but will try to play as many  as he can.    I should know better than to read into things, but Kody had his competitive playing career  cut short when St Thomas gave up their men's hockey program in 2015. He was really just  coming into his own playing in the highly competitive AUS. He's a fitness buff and should  have no problem whatsoever stepping right into this level of hockey.    I'm going to guess that he blocks a couple of shots, probably nets a couple of goals, and  the feel of playing back in the Amherst area in front of a good crowd is going to bring out  that competitive side again.    He's a team player, and on those trips to New Brunswick in the middle of winter when you  can rarely find enough players to fill a game roster, he'll hopefully make a huge difference.  I've always found that when Kody committed to something - then his teammates quickly  fell in line.    Kody is a cousin of Dylan and Brant King and nephew of former Metro-Valley League star,  Dave King.

[JPA]

BRETT McNEIL, Springhill Coal Miners  Born: August 13, 1995 Halifax NS Defence: Shoots L                          SEASON TEAM / LEAGUE GP G A PTS. PIM 2010-11  Halifax Titans NSMMHL a; b   35     7  13    20   58 2011-12  Halifax Titans NSMMHL c; d  26     7   14   21   34 2012-13  Halifax McDonalds NSMMHL e   34  12  19   31   69 2013-14  Ft. McMurray Oil Barons AJHL f   54    2  22   24 110 2014-15  Ft. McMurray Oil Barons AJHL  59    4  19   23 122 2015-16  Valley Wildcats MHL  37    6  18   24   93 a - Named to NSMMHL All-Rookie Team           b - Drafted by Valley Wildcats (2ndT-48-2011)         c - Named to the NSMMHL 2nd All-Star Team                d - Drafted by Halifax Mooseheads (13-231-2012)     e - Won NSMMHL Best Defenceman Award          f - Named to AJHL All-Rookie Team.                  Brett McNeill is one of the very few players to play their three full seasons of U18 eligibility,  and earn an award in each of those seasons - including the Top Defenceman award in his  final season.    Then he moved on to be named to the Rookie All-Star team in the AJHL in his first season  of Junior A in one of the strongest leagues in Canada. He arrived in the MHL for his 20 year-  old season and was one of the league's best defencemen with the Valley Wildcats.    I can remember him as a really good skater who was mobile and sturdy on his skates. He  was a battler who never seemed to get knocked down in scrums. I probably only saw him  play 4 or 5 games all season - maybe a couple more in the playoffs. The Wildcats finished  2nd in the division that season and he was head and shoulders their best defenceman.    A teammate on the Wildcats that season was a kid named Drake Batherson and Blade  Mann-Dixon was one of the goalies.    I'm not sure how big of a role Brett might play with the Miners, but his name jumped off  the page a bit. He's a really good defenceman. If he commits to the team, I would guess  that he would be one of the top defencemen in the league. Another huge add. Somebody  looks to be doing a really good job recruiting.

[JPA]

From last year - with updates:

RENE GEORGE, Springhill Coal Miners  Born: January 1, 1986; Antigonish NS Centre: Shoots L                                   SEASON TEAM / LEAGUE GP G A PTS. PIM 2003-04 Antigonish Bulldogs MJAHL  12     4    1      5     2 2003-04 Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL  25     0     2     2     8 2004-05 Amherst Ramblers MJAHL  55  28  31   59   47 2005-06 Amherst Ramblers MJAHL a  52  49  48   97   82 2006-07 Halifax Wolverines MJAHL  57  34  54   88   97 2007-08 Black's Harbour SHL-Sr.    1    0    0     0     0 2008-09 Black's Harbour SHL-Sr.  18  21  26   47   62 2009-10 Black's Harbour SHL-Sr.  12    8    9   17   32 2022-23 Springhill Coal Miners BSHL  12  18    9   27   10 a - MJAHL 1st Team All-Star    Rene George was born and raised in Antigonish before making his way to the QMJHL as a  walk-on with Chicoutimi during the 2003-04 season. He ended up getting into 12 games  with the hometown Bulldogs where he put up respectable 4-1-5 totals.    The Bulldogs were going through a very tough stretch at the time where they basically had  to cut their budget in half, and Rene had his rights traded to the Amherst Ramblers during the  offseason. I can't remember who was involved in the deal and can't find any trace of it.    Update: It has been pointed out by a board member that both Kurt Jarrett and Jarrod  MacEachern (AP) had played with the Ramblers the previous season and then began the next  with Antigonish, so guessing that one, or both, might have been involved in that trade.   During his first season in Amherst, he broke into the league's Top 25 scorers with a 59 point  season and then finished 4th in playoff scoring with 17 points in only 9 games. It was a sign  of what was to come.    During the 2005-06 season, the shifty, speedy forward put up 49-48-97 totals to finish 5th  in league scoring. His 49 goals were 3rd best. He was named to the 1st All-Star team along  with guys named Bowers and Knox - the only two with more goals that season.    There was a lot of discussion during the offseason with people questioning how Rene's rights  had been quietly traded to the Halifax Wolverines by Jack Finlay at the 2006 trade deadline,  as Jack moved from the Ramblers GM position to the Wolverines GM position during the off-  season as GM. It was one of the first ever "loaner type" deals in league history (if I have it  right).    I could have my facts wrong, and memory isn't what it used to be, but I seem to vaguely  remember the Ramblers landing Ben Pasha and James Rhynold at the trade deadline from  Halifax as they were making a run to the league final which they lost to the Woodstock  Slammers, and I believe that's how the Wolverines acquired his rights. If anybody can help  out with that info - point out corrections or whatever - please do.    During his 20 year-old season, Rene had a few nagging injuries, but still finished 6th in  league scoring with 88 points in 57 games.  He formed a high-scoring, gritty Wolverines line  with Brent Theriault and Corey Banfield.    I didn't follow Rene's career after his MJAHL days. I'm surprised that he didn't move on to  university hockey - because he definitely had the talent, the skating and the skills. He went on  to play parts of three seasons in the highly competitive Southern Senior league of New  Brunswick.   Now 36, it's great to see Rene lacing them up again. With a whopping 10 goals and 15 points  in only 6 games so far - it looks like he's more than capable of playing highly competitive  hockey again.    As Laurie Barron recently advised son Matt - "play as long as you can - you have the rest of  your life to work." How true that is - and I hope that every player still able to play at the  Senior level will give it a chance if presented with the opportunity.    There is nothing like being out on the ice as a player. Coaching - GM - owner - you name it -  there is NOTHING that even comes close to being out there competing as a player.  Update: Rene finished 6th in league scoring during the 2022-23 season. His 18 goals (in only  12 games) were the 2nd best in the league, trailing only Mackenzie Brown (20). Brown played  20 games.  Rene sits 33rd in career MJAHL scoring, well ahead of stalwarts such as Thomas Stavert, Colin  Campbell, Robert Hillier and Jordan King. For a complete list - see the MHL Record Book.

[JPA]

HOLDEN KODAK, Springhill Coal Miners         Born: April 29, 2001 Cloverdale BC         Centre: Shoots R                               SEASON TEAM / LEAGUE GP G A PTS. PIM 2015-16  Yale Hockey Academy U15 a  29   10  15    25     6 2016-17  Yale Hockey Academy U18  30     8  13   21   14 2017-18  Yale Hockey Academy U18 b; c; d   36  52*  40   92*   22 2017-18  Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL     3    0    0     0     0 2017-18  Kootenay Ice WHL    2    0    0     0     0 2018-19  Kootenay Ice WHL  49    3    7   10     2 2019-20  Winnipeg Ice WHL    6     0    0      0     0 2019-20  Prince George Cougars WHL    7     0    0     0     0 2019-20  West Kelowna Warriors BCHL  30    5  11   16     4 2020-21  Truro Bearcats MHL  32    7  17   24   10 2021-22  Truro Bearcats MHL  36  13  19   32   26 2022-23  Wilfred Laurier U Sports    4    0    0     0     0                                     a - Drafted by Portland in the 2016 WHL draft (11-229-2016)               b - Led CSSHL in goals (52)                             c - Led CSSHL in points (92)                            d - Named CSSHL Most Valuable Player               Holden Kodak is one of the few players on the Coal Miners who played Major Junior, as well  as one of the younger players on the team who have played at a high level in recent seasons.  He played CIS hockey last season at Wilfred Laurier University.   From his Truro Bearcats days, I'm very familiar with his play. He's a good 200 foot player  who can play all three forward positions. He's a top playmaker and has a Sutter element on  the forecheck. He put up 3 assists in his first game with the Coal Miners this past weekend  and he should be one of the top scorers in the league if he plays the majority of the games.    Holden led the CSSHL in goals (52) and points (92) before moving up to play in the WHL  for parts of three seasons split between Kootenay, Prince George and Winnipeg. He event-  ually ended up in the MHL with the Bearcats and spent two seasons there - and was always a  thorn in the Ramblers' sides.    He's very gifted offensively but has always played a team game first. He's one of the few  players who can set up in Gretzky's office behind the net and create opportunities. Another  great add.    It's quickly becoming apparent that there's a lot of talent here. These aren't just a group of  local players with no chance of winning most games. These are some really good players who  played competitively fairly recently. A lot of these guys are still in their prime.      Nothing gets the fans behind you like winning. People like leaving the rink happy. This is  such a positive for the community of Springhill and surrounding area.

[JPA]

From last year:

PARKER DEIGHAN, Springhill Coal Miners   Born: September 21, 1990 Kensington PEI Defence: Shoots L                                       SEASON TEAM / LEAGUE GP G A PTS. PIM 2004-05 Notre Dame SK U15  25     7  23    30   38 2005-06 Notre Dame SK U18 a    9     1     2     3     8 2006-07 Summerside MJAHL b  50    2  16   18 107 2007-08 PEI Rocket QMJHL   36    0    3     3   24 2007-08 Summerside MJAHL  19    1  10   11   96 2008-09 Summerside MJAHL c; d  47    9  14   23 141 2009-10 Summerside MJAHL  41    5  19   24 183 2010-11 Summerside MJAHL e; f; g; h  49  12  57   69 140 2011-12 Saint Mary's CIS  28    5    5   10   28 2012-13 Saint Mary's CIS  27    2    3     5   32 2013-14 Western Royals NLSHL  16    5  15   20   64 2014-15 Saint Mary's CIS    3    0    0     0     4 2015-16 Clarenville Caribous NLSHL i    1    0    0     0     2 2016-17 Clarenville Caribous NLSHL j  13    2  10   12   14 2022-23 Springhill Coal Miners BSHL  11    3    9   12   28 a - Drafted by Summerside in the 2006 MJAHL Draft 1st Round - 11th overall.                                        b - Drafted by the PEI Rocket in the 2007 QMJHL Draft 4th Round - 61st overall.                                   c - Won Kent Cup.                                                        d - Won Fred Page Cup.                                               e - Led MHL Defencemen in Assists (57).                   f - Led MHL Defencemen in Points (69).                    g - Won Kent Cup.                                                        h - Named to MHL 1st All-Star team.                                        i; j - Joined Grand Falls-Windsor for the Allan Cup playoffs.     Parker Deighan always seemed to be a year or two ahead of his age group. He followed in  the tradition of Brad Richards and headed out west to play in the famous Notre Dame Hounds  chain and was an immediate success, scoring at a point per game average from the blueline.    He was drafted by the Summerside Western Capitals with their first round pick, 11th overall,  and would spend the next five seasons with the Caps for the most part. During his rookie  season with the Caps in 2006-07, he put up solid 2-16-18 totals in 50 games and added a  tell-tale 107 PIM as a 16 year-old. The Caps would make it all the way to the MJAHL final  before losing to the Truro Bearcats. He showed well enough in both skill and toughness to be  taken by the PEI Rocket in the 6th round of the 2007 QMJHL draft.    He began the next season with the Rocket, but rejoined the Caps late in the season. He  got into 19 games with the Caps and put up an impressive 11 points, along with a whopping  96 PIM. It was the only time in his five seasons with the Caps that he didn't top the 100 PIM  mark - but coupled with his time with the Rocket - he had a total of 120 PIM.    The Caps put it all together during the 2008-09 season on a team that included Brett 'Gally'  Gallant, Mike MacIsaac, Spencer Corcoran, Big Will Johnston, and quickly emerging star  defenceman - Deighan. They defeated the Bearcats for the Kent Cup, and then moved on to  win the Fred Page Cup in Dieppe - before making the trip to the nationals at Victoria BC.    During the 2009-10 season, the Caps lost in the division final to the powerful Woodstock  Slammers. Parker finished 4th in league PIM with 183.    During his final season with the Caps, he put it all together, leading all league defencemen  in assists (57) and points (69). He was named to the MJAHL 1st All-Star team along with  Doug Jessey of the Slammers. The Caps would go on to win another Kent Cup with an upset  of the Slammers in the division final before sweeping the Weeks Crushers in the league final  - 4 games to 0. Very few players win two MHL championships, and Parker had a season for  the ages.    From there, he went on to play two full seasons with the Saint Mary's Huskies of the AUS  and joined them late in the season for another playoff run.    He also played parts of four seasons in the highly competitive Newfoundland Senior League  with Western and Clarenville and joined the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts for a couple of  Allan Cup runs in 2016 and 2017 before hanging them up - until now.    Only 32 years-old, I'm told that Parker is already amongst the top defencemen in the league  after only 1 game with the Miners. That comes as no surprise, because he has been one of  the best at every level he's played at. He seems to have a knack for playing on championship  caliber teams.    The Coal Miners landed a stud the day he came on board. It's really good to see him playing  again, and it won't be long until he's a crowd favourite. He always had an ultra compete level.  He's going to surprise a few people around the league with how good he is for those who  don't know much about him.   Update: Parker stepped in and led all Miners' D-men in scoring last year despite only playing  in 11 of their 18 games. He finished 3rd in team scoring in the playoffs (6-2-4-6-4). It's great  to see him playing - and obviously enjoying it. He put up 2 assists in his first game this year.