Cobras host Bozeman in season opener

Sep 9, 2021

The 2021-22 NA3HL season begins this Saturday in Butte when the Cobras host the Bozeman Icedogs. Fans are invited to attend for FREE thanks to our sponsor Builders FirstChoice. Game time at Butte Community Ice Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

The Cobras will have a new look on the ice and behind the bench this season after Kirk Golden took over the role of head coach and GM in April. He’ll have a familiar face with him in Nick Castellano. A former Cobras player, Castellano is a new assistant coach.

The roster features several top returners along with a mix of exciting prospects. Among the veterans returning from last season is goaltender Nikolai Wallery who appeared in seven games last season. He will compete for time in net with three rookies in Caleb Cross, Dale Pfanenstein and Braylon Rogers.

Three veterans return on the blue line including Jonah Gilbert (10 points in 21 games), Pavel Gerasimenko (six points in 12 games), Johnathan Schoof (nine points in 39 games). They will be joined by newcomers Ross Biggerstaff of Broomfield, Colorado, Caleb Manson and Carson Streich of Osseo, Minnesota as well as 6’7 veteran Johan Olsen of Norway.

Nick Bradshaw (15 goals, 19 assists) is the top returning forward after a banner second season with the Cobras last year. Luke Schleusner (15 GP: five goals, eight assists) will be expected to contribute as will 2021 Helena High graduate Quinn Nichols, who played in seven games after his high school season. David Hanny, Tamer Billman, Mike Gerard and Robbie Arver also return to wear the Cobras sweater in 2021-22.

New names among the forwards are Caelin Chinery (MMJHL Raiders Jr. Hockey Club), Keith Desjardins (Idaho Jr. Steelheads 18U), JD Lion (HTB HC), JD McDougal (Cenataurus HS) and Fabian Aarstad Vik, former Skien IHK U21 teammate of Olsen).

Fans unable to attend can watch the game live on HockeyTV.