Langley Rivermen weekly preview September 18th and 19th
The Langley Rivermen begin their 2026-27 regular season this coming Friday in Trail following a successful preseason.
Langley were victorious in their preseason contests against the Surrey Eagles, winning a 3-2 overtime decision last Tuesday, a 5-3 win Friday thanks for a pair of goals from returning forward Harshaan Kaila, and they concluded their exhibition schedule on Sunday in a tight 4-2 win over the Coquitlam Express.
This is the first meeting against Trail since January 12th, 2024 when the Smoke Eaters prevailed.
The Rivermen will then travel to West Kelowna on Saturday, September 19th for their first matchup against the Warriors since the BCHL Showcase in Seattle in October of 2023.
TRAIL PLAYER TO WATCH
#18 Brayden Rotach – the second-year Smoke Eater will look to help supplement a Trail offense that has lost the bulk of their top point getters from last season. The Castlegar, British Columbia born forward collected a goal and three assists in 31 games last year with Trail, however will have an elevated role this year for a squad gearing up for another successful season.
WEST KELOWNA PLAYER TO WATCH
#29 Kelsen Podworny – this will be Podworny’s third BCHL season, all spent with West Kelowna and has been playing close to home as the Kelowna born forward had his best offensive season last year. He collected 10 goals and 11 assists in 46 games, on a talented and deep roster last year, and will surely flourish with a bigger role this year under new head coach Wyatt Head. Podworny also collected 3 assists in 3 preseason games, and with his 100th regular season BCHL in the future, will look to help his team start out the season strong.
RIVERMEN PLAYER TO WATCH
#15 Josh Frenette – the Long Island University commit is coming off of an NAHL championship last year with the Maryland Black Bears, and has looked the part of an every day BCHLer so far in camp with Langley. In two preseason games, he collected two goals and two assists, while also winning a number of key faceoffs. The Oshawa, Ontario born forward will be relied upon heavily this season not just offensively, but also in the defensive zone and on penalty kills as the Rivermen look to replace the 68 points of graduated forward (and fellow LIU player but in this season) Zachary Benayon.
Both games will be broadcasted through FloHockey, with monthly subscription fees required, with puck drops for both games slated for 7pm.
