Fernie Ghostriders Head Coach and General Manager Chad Scharff has brought Ben Sherven on as his new Assistant Coach for the upcoming inaugural 2026-27 BC-Hockey Conference season.
Sherven, who was around last season as a part time assistant moved into the full time roll this week replacing the recently departed Dante Raposo.
Ben Sherven “I am extremely excited to join the Fernie Ghostriders organization. I can’t imagine a better opportunity for my first full time role in junior hockey”.
Sherven will be a familiar face to the returning players next season.
“After being around the group a little bit last year it was clear this is a team improving on all fronts”.
“I learned a lot from Chad and Dante and I look forward to hitting the ground running this season. I am eager to get going and work alongside Chad, Ashley, the Board and all the volunteers that make the team a desirable place to work.
Ben is not new to Fernie
“ I have gradually made Fernie my home over the past 4 years and cant wait to get started as a full time team member next week. Thank you to Chad, Mike, and the board for the opportunity”.
Will Sherven be able to help with recruiting… he has the resume
Ben was the Head Coach of the AAA Calgary Flames U15 and U16 teams then in 2025 U18 when his Flames were the Alberta Provincial Champs.
“Before last year I spent 11 years coaching in the elite stream with the NWCAA, besides one year with Okotoks Oilers U18AAA. Four seasons with the U18 AAA Flames, the first as assistant coach, and then three as Head Coach. Was a great experience with great board support, assistant coaches and mentors.
Recruiting wise I have connections across Alberta and Saskatchewan, particularly in the Calgary area/southern Alberta. I look forward to working alongside Chad to bring high character and talented players to the Ghostriders.
For the older fans…Sherven grew up with Sam Plaquin the Riders Most Exciting Award winner in 2014-15, he had 53 pts in 48 games and 11 in 11 playoff games. Head Coach that year was Craig Mohr.
Round’ The League
The Summerland Jets who had just bought a KIJHL franchise were awarded Jr A status after all the other KIJHL Jr B teams went to the outlaw WIJHL. Former NHL’er Robert Dirk will be their Bench Boss.
The KIJHL final…after four games Kimberley and Princeton are tied 2-2, both teams won at home, PP’s Gibson Horne shutout Kimberley 1-0 and 1-0 in Princeton. The series resumes on Saturday in Kimberley.
Princeton is asking for public donations to help fund the team.
The Possy also received money from the City to help pay for bussing. Princeton had 450 fans at their home games.
The KIJHL has been awarded Jr A status for next season. The new league is called the BC Hockey Conference and has 22 teams 8 are from the Lower Mainland.
We don’t know the makeup of the new schedule but we do know travel expenses and number of games will be going way up. We will talk about the financial aspect of the new league in the coming weeks.
