Dayson, Genaille having fun as Carrot River Outback Thunder rookies

Kieran Dayson and Grady Genaille are having fun as rookies with the Carrot River Outback Thunder.

“The best part would have to be the guys I’m playing with,” Dayson said. “With them, there are lots of laughs on and off the ice and they make you feel like part of the team right away! It’s just a really fun atmosphere to be around.”

The two 18-year-old forwards made the jump from the North East midget AA squad to the Junior B hockey ranks. Genaille played eight games with the Outback Thunder last season. The biggest adjustment to the Prairie Junior Hockey League?

“The increased speed of the game and competing against older and more experienced players,” Genaille said. “Being younger I feel as though there is more pressure to do well.”

Last week the Outback Thunder earned three points on the road. They downed the Prince Albert Titans, 9-5, on Friday and fell in overtime to the Delisle Chiefs, 4-3, on Sunday.  In the PJHL’s Bob Dybvig Division standings, the Outback Thunder sit fifth with a 14-12-8 record, as of Sunday. With 36 points, they are three points behind the Saskatoon Westleys.

The Outback Thunder made a big addition to their lineup last week. They added 20-year-old Jordan Bortsmayer from St. Brieux. The forward played the last three seasons in the Western Hockey League. In two games with Carrot River, Bortsmayer has accumulated six assists.

“We have been working on Jordan all season,” said Trevor Logan, the Outback Thunder’s head coach. “I have heard nothing but good things about him as a player and a person. We are very excited to have a player of his quality join our hockey club.”

On Sunday, the Carrot River squad hosts the West Central Rage. That comes after a Saturday road game against Fort Knox.

In 29 games this season, the 5-foot-8, 205-pound Genaille has accumulated two goals, six points, and 39 penalty minutes. Both Logan and Genaille hail from Porcupine Plain. Logan has coached him for years and knows what to expect from him most nights.

“He’s always willing to work hard, not afraid to bang and crash with anyone, and he always has a smile on his face while doing it,” Logan said.

“Grady has good speed and strength. This being his first season he maybe doesn’t always get the opportunities he’s looking for but he has potential to be a Nick Peterson - a kid who just works his way through the lineup over three to four years to become the leader all based off of hard work.”

The son of Jarit and Nicole Genaille works at Hoffus Stock Farm outside of Bjorkdale.

Dayson first joined the Outback Thunder this past December. He has two goals and three points in nine games.

“I’m super impressed with Kieran’s skill set and hockey IQ,” Logan said. “He has shown flashes of high end hands and vision, good speed, and always seems to be in the right position defensively or makes the simple easy play when needed.”

The 5-foot-8, 160-pound son of Shannon and Veronica hails from Nipawin. He is working as a cook at Nipawin’s Dairy Queen and plans on going to school next year.

Outback Thunder 9, Titans 5

The Outback Thunder exploded for five goals in the first period to take control of their Jan. 26 road contest with the Titans.  Justin Cay and Kyle Njaa both lit the lamp twice in the period. Cody Chasse had Carrot River’s other first period goal.

“P.A. had some good chances, but we were able to finish on ours and they hit iron three times,” Logan said. “One thing I really respect with that team is they don’t quit and they gave us a scare for a bit.”

In the second session, the Titans got two goals back before Austin Linnen scored for the Outback Thunder. Both teams scored three times in the third period. Njaa, Layne Cay, and Devin Gerwing had goals for Carrot River.

Njaa recorded a hat trick. Both Njaa and Bortsmayer had four points on the night. Linnnen posted three points. Tyson Byman stopped 32 of the 37 shots he faced for the Outback Thunder. Carrot River bombarded Titans netminder Travis Dryka with 52 shots. He made 43 saves.

Chiefs 4, Outback Thunder 3

With less than eight minutes remaining on Jan. 28, the Outback Thunder trailed 3-1 in Delisle. Justin Cay and Njaa were able to find the back of the net to force overtime. The Carrot River crew fell, 4-3, in overtime on a Benson Thorpe goal, but picked up a point in the standings. Logan said that he is over being content with the team battling back to get one point in the standings.

“We don’t start well and we don’t play with urgency until we are down and it’s late,” the head coach said. “I would say that’s reflective of why we have found ourselves in OT close to 20 times in the last two seasons and have won very few of those. Something is missing and we need to figure that out soon.”

Carrot River had led 1-0 after the first period thanks to a Linnen goal. Deslisle was on top 2-1 at the second intermission. Kolton Holmen had 36 saves for the Outback Thunder. Deslisle’s Justin Gauthier stopped 36.