Former Warman U18AAA Wildcats defenceman Jake Kessler is making waves in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Kessler was named to the KIJHL ‘Team of the Week’ for the period ending October 26, according to a notice issued by the league October 27.
Kessler is from Warman. He played three seasons with the Warman U18AA Wildcats from 2020-21 to 2022-23. In his final season with the team, he also played seven games with the Warman U18AAA Wildcats.
This is Kessler’s third season with the Kelowna Chiefs of the KIJHL.
Last week, Kessler celebrated his 20th birthday by playing key roles in two Kelowna Chiefs’ wins over opponents. He set up two goals, including having the second assist on the winner in their 9-7 win over the Sicamous Eagles. Against the Osoyoos Coyotes, Kessler scored to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead in what would end up being a 4-3 overtime win. He played an average of 20:51 and was +2.
Along with Kessler on the KIJHL Team of the Week were: forwards Rylan Konecsni of the Kelowna Chiefs, Bryton Morrow of the Princeton Posse, Justice Loewen of the Princeton Posse, defenceman Jackson Murphy of the Kimberley Dynamiters and goaltender Austin Seibel of the Revelstoke Grizzlies.