Levi Astill, the reigning KIJHL Top Scorer and MVP, is back atop the points race with 51 in 27 games. Astill is nine points away from reaching 200 points in his KIJHL career. In the league’s history, 33 players have put up 200 points or more in their career.
The KIJHL caught up with Astill to talk to him about his season and development focus.
KIJHL: How do you feel about your play in the first half of the season?
Astill: I’m happy with where my game is at. Our team has continued to get better every game, and we’re headed in the right direction. I’m pleased with both where I’m at personally and the team.
KIJHL: Offensively, you’ve been on a hot streak— 10 points in your last four games. Touch on that.
Astill: It’s just about consistency and playing the right way every game and sticking to what I know brings success. When I play within our structure and stay consistent, good things tend to happen.
KIJHL: What’s been your main focus from a development standpoint this season?
Astill: I just want to get better every day. There’s always something you can improve. I’ve really been focusing on my skating and playing with more pace. Every rep matters. We talk a lot about practicing the way you play. Our team competes hard in practice, so when you get into games, it feels normal.
KIJHL: How have the coaches helped you with that development?
Astill: They’ve been huge. Our assistant coach Tayden Woods and head coach Dave Hnatiuk are always giving me pointers and helping me along the way. Woods especially has helped me with the little details — those small plays that make a big difference like creating separation, being on the right side of the puck, and making the right play at the right time.
KIJHL: Coming into the season, what were your goals personally and as a team?
Astil: After last season, we knew teams were going to be coming for us. We have a winning culture here, and the team goal is the same — we want to win a championship. Individually, my goal is just to do whatever I can to help the team win and contribute in any way.
Read the latest KIJHL Notebook
Noah Lawless of the Merritt Centennials is third among all KIJHL rookies with 32 points in 25 games. He’s third in goals with 15 and has two short-handed tallies. The 2007-born forward was recruited from the BCEHL’s Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U18 program after scoring 21 goals and 21 assists in 33 games.
KIJHL: Noah, you’re having a solid rookie season. What’s helping you produce offensively?
NL: The players around me and the systems our coaches put into our practices really help.
KIJHL: What are some of the things you do in practice that help you keep improving offensively?
NL: I’m always listening to feedback and putting effort into everything I do.
KIJHL: How are the coaches helping you with your development?
NL: They’re always giving me ways to get better and if I’m not doing something right, they’ll tell me.
KIJHL: Earlier this season you had a seven-game goal streak. What did that do for you?
NL: It gave me a lot of confidence and made me feel really comfortable in the league, especially playing with older guys.
KIJHL: What type of player do you consider yourself to be?
NL: I’m a two-way forward. I can be out there if we need a goal to tie the game, or trying to hold a lead.
KIJHL: How do you feel Noah has been playing this season?
Wes McLeod (Centennials head coach): Noah’s been awesome. He’s been very consistent and brings an excellent work ethic every single day. He’s hungry to get better and that shows in the way he approaches his game.
Q: What are some of the main areas you focus on with him during practice from a development standpoint?
WM: Pace is a big one for us. Moving his feet and playing fast. Noah is a very cerebral player and he’s excellent at slowing the game down and drawing players to him. At times, it’s just about getting his pace up a bit more so he can drive play even more effectively.
