Riders sign Ryan Teslak, Plaquin says goodbye and Seel the deal

The Fernie Ghostriders Head Coach and General Manager Craig Mohr has acquired seventeen year old Ryan Teslak from the Castlegar Rebels.

Ryan Teslak is a 6 foot 180 pound defenseman who was born in Cranbrook but has ties to the City of Fernie. Ryan’s father John is from Fernie and played four years in net with the old Elk Valley Raiders.
Ryan’s Cousin, Michael –Lee, is a goalie who played a few games with the Fernie Ghostriders before moving on to the BCHL with Alberni Valley and Prince George. He also went to Michigan Tech on a scholarship then signed with the Philadelphia Flyers where he played with their AHL team.

Craig Mohr Talks about Ryan listen here



Coach Mohr tells us that Jeff Orser, Brandon Butler, Tayler Sincennes,  Dalton Bouvier, Trevor Broad and Evan Pumphery were all in Elkford for the Wildcat Days Parade, the Board thanks the players for their continuing Community commitment. 

Sam Plaquin played here in Fernie last season as a 20. He recently wrote a letter to the team about his time here in Fernie. It was also featured in the Fernie Free Press last week. Below is that letter.

My name is Sam Plaquin and I spent my final season of junior hockey eligibility playing in Fernie for the Ghostriders. Having spent parts of the previous three seasons on four different Jr.A teams in the AJHL (Bonnyville Pontiacs, Calgary Mustangs, Calgary Canucks and Okotoks Oilers) I came to Fernie expecting it to be a step down.  Boy was I wrong, the Ghostriders as an organization are run at the highest level. It allowed for me to succeed as an individual both on and off the ice as well as elevating our team play to what at times, and more often than not, was the best in the league. 

From the day I decided to come to Fernie I was completely taken care of. Coaches Craig Mohr (HC&GM) and James Ouimet along with Jeff Zmurchyk and Gerry Pang are not only great hockey minds but also outstanding individuals who create talented hockey players while helping shape us as young men.  I can say without a doubt my time in Fernie was the best of my entire life. The memories I have from the community, fans, teammates, staff and my billets are ones that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Whether its 1500 people going crazy as you bury the puck or a fan recognizing you in the local candy shop on main street, the people in Fernie are equally passionate as they are kind. 

My billets are the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I always had three delicious meals a day right when I needed them depending on when practice or our game was. They came to every game and always had a big smile on their faces when we got home, win or lose. On road trips we stayed in the best hotels and ate the best meals which is both and enjoyable and a huge advantage when it comes to competing. We traveled in great busses with the best drivers who always got us where we were going safely and efficiently. We also got top of the line equipment all the way from sticks to under gear. 

Most importantly it is fun to be a Ghostrider. Fernie is a great community to be a young adult in off the ice and on the ice there is a long tradition of winning. I will never forget my time as a Ghostrider and I encourage anyone with the opportunity to come out here and give it a try because I promise you won’t regret it.

In other news Stefen Seel who who was identified by former Rider Coach Will Verner a few years ago, played here as a 16 year old then moved on to Jr A in the SJHL and last year in the AJ 

Stefen Seel Commits to NCAA Concordia University - Junior Hockey News Published: Monday, 22 Jun 2015 By: Kevin Higo The Grande Prairie Storm are very pleased to announce that Stefen Seel has committed to play NCAA hockey next year for Concordia University. Seel played one year for the Storm and came via a trade from the Kindersley Klippers (SJHL). In 35 games Stefen scored 7 goals and 15 assists. Concordia University competes in the NCHA and is based out of Mequon, Wisconsin. With Seel committing he becomes the 3rd member of the 2014-2015 Storm to achieve an NCAA opportunity. He will join Jade McMullen (Western Michigan) and Karl El-Mir (Connecticut) in the NCAA for 2015-2016. Head Coach Jasen Wise, "We are very excited to add Stefen to our hockey program. We have had our eye on Stefen for the past couple of years. Stefen's skill set, high hockey IQ, and tremendous work ethic will make him not only an excellent addition to our program, but a dominating force at the Division III level. Concordia has taken a major step forward adding Stefen and we look forward to seeing him in a Falcon's jersey this Fall."