All members and those wanting to make a positive contribution to our junior hockey family are welcome to attend. Questions? please email: president@nelsonleafs.ca
Category: News
2024-25 KIJHL Teck Cup preview
The Quest for the Teck Cup, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoff championship, begins tomorrow. The Revelstoke Grizzlies are the defending Teck Cup champions. Below is a preview of each series. Kootenay Conference Neil Murdoch Division Grand Forks Border Bruins (1) Castlegar Rebels (4) Season Series: Border Bruins won 6-0. Series […]
The KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference – Ghostriders details and habits
The Princeton Posse lead the KIJHL with scoring the first goal in a game, having done it 30 times in 43 games. Next are the Revelstoke Grizzlies with 28 first goals in 42 games. The Merritt Centennials and Grand Forks Border Bruins are next with 26. The Fernie Ghostriders have 25. Here are the top-five […]
KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference – Evin excited to coach Rebels
Alex Evin is excited to be back on a bench after a two-month break, that was long enough for him. The Castlegar native spent eight years with the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings, where he won the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup in 2019. Evin joked about “getting bored” and the opportunity came to join the […]
Foster, Burgeson & Newman selected KIJHL 3 Stars
Steven Foster (Merritt Centennials), Memfis Burgeson (Nelson Leafs) and Russell Newman (Osoyoos Coyotes) have been selected as the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League 3 Stars of the Week for the period ending Feb. 2/25. Foster – Top Forward- The Abbotsford native had three goals and two assists in three games for the Centennials. Against the […]
KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference trade deadline moves
We complete trade deadline coverage in this week’s KIJHL Notebook with the Kootenay Conference, as respective general managers share how it was for them and what they wanted to do to improve their respective rosters. Eddie Mountain Division Kimberley Dynamiters Nate Tillmanns (2005, F) acquired from Kamloops Head coach-general manager Derek Stuart wasn’t very […]
KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference – Border Bruins enjoy strong first half
We’re on part 2 of the biggest win/individual performance or moment to end 2024 in the KIJHL Notebook, this week for Kootenay Conference teams. Eddie Mountain Division The Christmas Classic against the Fernie Ghostriders was a highlight for the Kimberley Dynamiters, said head coach-general manager Derek Stuart. “Just the environment and intensity surrounded by that, […]
Foster, Stephenson & Ponto named December 3 Stars
Steven Foster (Merritt Centennials), Trey Stephenson (Kimberley Dynamiters) and Ryder Ponto (Revelstoke Grizzlies) are the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League 3 Stars of the Month for December. Foster – Top Forward – The Abbotsford native registered five goals and 12 points in six games and was a plus six for the Centennials, while playing an […]
KIJHL Notebook: Holiday Classic games
“I think anytime you’re playing your rival games around the holidays, I always find that kids and family have come home for Christmas and it feels like the hockey rink is a place to congregate. It’s a place where people go and they see lots of people, especially people they know and connect with over […]
KIJHL Notebook: Kootenay Conference – Border Bruins continue defensive focus
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has 25 goalies with a save percentage of .902 and higher. That group begins with Kael Svenson of the Sicamous Eagles who has a .943 save rate in 482 minutes played. Mathis Perron of the Merritt Centennials completes that list and has played 605 minutes. Fifteen goalies have recorded […]
![Nelson, BC — [Feb.13th 2026] — The Nelson Leafs Hockey Society is proud to announce that Gianni Mangone has been named Head Coach and General Manager for the 2026/27 season. 💥
Mangone has served as Assistant Coach with the Nelson Leafs for the past two seasons,
stepping into the Head Coach role midway through both years. His leadership, commitment, and seamless transitions during those periods made him the clear choice to guide the organization forward in a full-time capacity.
Gianni has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to our players and His dedication to development and
team culture makes him the ideal person to lead the Leafs into the future.
Prior to joining Nelson, Mangone spent two seasons with the Creston Valley Thundercats as Assistant Coach and General Manager, further developing his experience in both bench leadership and hockey operations.
Mangone has a proven track record of advancing players to the next level, helping multiple athletes move on to Junior A programs and collegiate hockey opportunities.
His coaching philosophy centers on player development, advancement, accountability, and continual personal growth — both for his athletes and himself as a coach.
“ I am honored to stay on as the GM/Head Coach with the Nelson Leafs and excited for the opportunity to work with such talented athletes and committed staff”, said Coach Gianni.
“This program has a strong tradition, and I look forward to building a culture of discipline, teamwork, and success both on and off the ice.”
The Nelson Leafs look forward to the 2026/27 season under Mangone’s leadership as preparations begin for training camp and roster development.
#goleafsgo](https://www.nelsonleafs.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/07/631517883_18012617690833542_4094282786479335278_n-512x640.jpg)
![Nelson, BC — [Feb.13th 2026] — The Nelson Leafs Hockey Society is proud to announce that Gianni Mangone has been named Head Coach and General Manager for the 2026/27 season. 💥
Mangone has served as Assistant Coach with the Nelson Leafs for the past two seasons,
stepping into the Head Coach role midway through both years. His leadership, commitment, and seamless transitions during those periods made him the clear choice to guide the organization forward in a full-time capacity.
Gianni has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to our players and His dedication to development and
team culture makes him the ideal person to lead the Leafs into the future.
Prior to joining Nelson, Mangone spent two seasons with the Creston Valley Thundercats as Assistant Coach and General Manager, further developing his experience in both bench leadership and hockey operations.
Mangone has a proven track record of advancing players to the next level, helping multiple athletes move on to Junior A programs and collegiate hockey opportunities.
His coaching philosophy centers on player development, advancement, accountability, and continual personal growth — both for his athletes and himself as a coach.
“ I am honored to stay on as the GM/Head Coach with the Nelson Leafs and excited for the opportunity to work with such talented athletes and committed staff”, said Coach Gianni.
“This program has a strong tradition, and I look forward to building a culture of discipline, teamwork, and success both on and off the ice.”
The Nelson Leafs look forward to the 2026/27 season under Mangone’s leadership as preparations begin for training camp and roster development.
#goleafsgo](https://www.nelsonleafs.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/07/631517883_18012617690833542_4094282786479335278_n.jpg)
