Jeff Helminiak

Former Kenai River Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.
Former Kenai River Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.

Former Bears coach Murdock accepts UAA assistant job

Kevin Murdock, former head coach of the Kenai River Brown Bears, has been named assistant coach of Division I University of Alaska Anchorage, UAA head… Continue reading

Former Kenai River Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.
Former Kenai River Brown Bears head coach Kevin Murdock.
Soldotna's Wayne Mellon works to a pin of Kenai Central's Zoticus Active at 189 pounds in a dual meet at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi wrestling honors seniors in matchup with Kenai

Thanksgiving weekend gives many the opportunity to see family. The holiday gave the Kenai and Soldotna wrestling teams time to spend with each other. With… Continue reading

Soldotna's Wayne Mellon works to a pin of Kenai Central's Zoticus Active at 189 pounds in a dual meet at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Strausbaugh, Hippchen take Turkey Skate

Soldotna hosted Kenai Central for the Turkey Skate at Tsalteshi Trails on Nov. 23. SoHi’s Jordon Strausbaugh and Kenai’s Tyler Hippchen were the quickest skiers… Continue reading

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Kenai Central's Sawyer Vann controls Nikiski's Wyatt Maguire at 125 pounds Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. Vann notched a 7-6 victory. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Area wrestlers collect mat time before Thanksgiving break

Area wrestlers got in some mat time Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break. Kenai traveled to Nikiski for an unscored dual meet, while Soldotna drove down… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Sawyer Vann controls Nikiski's Wyatt Maguire at 125 pounds Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. Vann notched a 7-6 victory. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna junior Liam Babitt holds a grip on South Anchorage’s Britten Hamilton during the 215-pound final of the Lancer Smith Fall Varsity 2021 Invite on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at the Menard Arena in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)

Soldotna crowns 4 champions at Lancer Smith

The Soldotna wrestling team finished fourth Friday and Saturday at the Lancer Smith Fall 2021 Varsity Invite at Menard Arena in Wasilla. The tournament is… Continue reading

Soldotna junior Liam Babitt holds a grip on South Anchorage’s Britten Hamilton during the 215-pound final of the Lancer Smith Fall Varsity 2021 Invite on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at the Menard Arena in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Bryce Monrean tries to find a way through the defense of the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues during a first-period power play Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Jr. Blues come back to take series from Bears

The Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues lost not only a 2020-21 season to the coronavirus pandemic, but a team as well. North American Hockey League teams… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Bryce Monrean tries to find a way through the defense of the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues during a first-period power play Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Assistant coach Taylor Shaw leads the Kenai River Brown Bears during a game Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears start search for new head coach

The Kenai River Brown Bears issued a press release Friday about staff changes. The Bears announced they had parted ways with former head coach Josh… Continue reading

Assistant coach Taylor Shaw leads the Kenai River Brown Bears during a game Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Hockey roundup: SoHi sweeps in Kodiak; West wins End of Road tourney

The Soldotna hockey team swept Kodiak in the first high school games ever played on the island. The Stars won 4-0 on Friday, then notched… Continue reading

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Caden Triggs of the Kenai River Brown Bears celebrates his first-period goal against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears topple Jr. Blues

By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion The Kenai River Brown Bears received two goals from Caden Triggs and three assists from Nick Stevens in toppling the… Continue reading

Caden Triggs of the Kenai River Brown Bears celebrates his first-period goal against the Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central's Caden Warren surveys the ice against West at the End of the Road Tournament at Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Kenai, Homer hockey lose to open tourney

The Kenai Central and Homer hockey teams both opened the End of the Road Tournament at Kevin Bell Arena in Homer with losses Thursday. The… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Caden Warren surveys the ice against West at the End of the Road Tournament at Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A brown bear feeds on a salmon. (Photo by C. Canterbury/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: Bears, uniquely built to respond to winter

With the new snow and temperatures dipping into the single digits, you might find yourself hunkering down or replacing your summer outdoor gear for winter… Continue reading

A brown bear feeds on a salmon. (Photo by C. Canterbury/USFWS)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Caden Triggs carries the puck against Anchorage Wolverines defenseman Campbell Cichosz on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears to host 1st place Jr. Blues

The current stretch of the schedule for the Kenai River Brown Bears is all about the Anchorage Wolverines and Springfield (Illinois) Jr. Blues. The Bears… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Caden Triggs carries the puck against Anchorage Wolverines defenseman Campbell Cichosz on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna's Isaac Chavarria wrestles to a major decision over Kenai Central's Andrew Gaethle at 152 pounds during a dual meet at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi wrestlers take dual meet from Kenai

The visiting Soldotna wrestling team defeated Kenai Central 69-6 in a dual meet Tuesday night as the Kardinals celebrated senior night. Despite the final score,… Continue reading

Soldotna's Isaac Chavarria wrestles to a major decision over Kenai Central's Andrew Gaethle at 152 pounds during a dual meet at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The all-team is announced at the end of the 3A state volleyball championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Area volleyball players make state all-tourney team

The state all-tournament team was revealed Saturday at the conclusion of the Class 3A state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Representing the… Continue reading

The all-team is announced at the end of the 3A state volleyball championships at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
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Wolverines sweep Brown Bears

The host Anchorage Wolverines swept Friday and Saturday games from the Kenai River Brown Bears in North American Hockey League play at Ben Boeke Ice… Continue reading

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Kenai Central’s Ayden Spann skates the puck across the blue line during a 4-1 loss to Colony during the second day of the 2021 Alaska Army National Guard Stars and Stripes Showdown on Friday, Nov.12, 2021, at the MTA Events Center in Palmer, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)

Kenai, SoHi, Homer finish up play at Stars and Stripes

Staff report The Soldotna and Homer hockey teams finished with 1-2 records at the 2021 Alaska Army National Guard Stars and Stripes Showdown at the… Continue reading

Kenai Central’s Ayden Spann skates the puck across the blue line during a 4-1 loss to Colony during the second day of the 2021 Alaska Army National Guard Stars and Stripes Showdown on Friday, Nov.12, 2021, at the MTA Events Center in Palmer, Alaska. (Photo by Jeremiah Bartz/Frontiersman)
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Peninsula hockey teams all lose at Stars and Stripes tourney

Staff report Kenai Peninsula teams Kenai Central, Homer and Soldotna all suffered losses Thrusday at the opening day of the 2021 Alaska Army National Guard… Continue reading

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Kenai volleyball moves to state semifinals

Staff report The Kenai Central volleyball team moved to the semifinals after two victories on the opening day of the Class 3A state volleyball tournament… Continue reading

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Kenai Central's Cali Holmes attacks Homer's Goldie Hill on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula volleyball teams carry strong records to state

Kenai Central, Homer and Seward will look to maintain the Kenai Peninsula’s recent dominance of the Class 3A state volleyball tournament today, Friday and Saturday… Continue reading

Kenai Central's Cali Holmes attacks Homer's Goldie Hill on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
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Pair of Olympians lead peninsula swimmers to state

By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion This summer, Seward senior Lydia Jacoby became the first Alaskan to swim at the Olympics. Friday and Saturday, Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

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