The Kimberley Dynamiters are playing the numbers a few days from the start of a new KIJHL season.

As of yesterday, the Nitros had 26 players, but will have to be down to 23 by Friday’s season opener.

They will have to release a pair of players since Brett Luker doesn’t presently count against the roster numbers; the Kimberley product is out with a shoulder separation he suffered during training camp.

“He figures he would be ready for the opening of the season, but I don’t see him (coming back) for two or three weeks,” said Kimberley head coach and general manager Garry Jacklin. “I’ve been through the shoulder things with my kids and I know they’re a bit longer (to heal than the athletes) would like to think they are.”

Luker had been impressive at camp until the injury sidelined him.

“He’s going to have to come back ready to go again because everybody is fighting for a spot,” said Jacklin. “I don’t want him coming back not at 100 per cent so I know what I’m getting when he comes back. I want to have him back for a full week of contact practice so I know he’s ready to do it.”

The Dynamiters played their second exhibition game in Fernie on Saturday, dropping a 3-2 decision to a deep Ghostriders squad.

“We did quite well,” said Jacklin. “We didn’t dress a couple of our veteran D-men and probably three of our top (forwards). We’re very happy where we’re at right now.”

In particular, he was happy with the play of overage skaters Alex Hall, Soren Hills and Brock Leavins.

“They dominated the game in Fernie I thought,” said Jacklin. “Playing together for the first time in a small rink, they’re very strong, they’re all 20-year-olds and they want to play hockey. I’ve been very impressed with them.”

The three have been away from junior hockey for varying lengths of time — or in Hall’s case, he’s never skated in a junior league.

“I 100 per cent think they’re going to be top players in this league,” said Jacklin. “My biggest question is whether they’re willing to commit to the team. Over the last week or so we’ve been grilling them and making sure we’re not going to make a mistake.”

Jacklin was expecting a pair of recent Saskatchewan junior A cuts at last night’s practice; that was to be his first glimpses of them.

With two or three other import players still slated to tryout next week for one import spot left (barring a trade), competition will be stiff.

“I feel we’re ready,” said Jacklin, whose club opens the season Friday at home against the Creston Valley Thundercats. “If something comes down through the pipeline and I have to make another move to make room for somebody I will. It’s just part of the game and we want to be the best team that we can.”