Jeff Helminiak

Save the Bears effort enters its final week

The effort to save the Kenai River Brown Bears has entered into its final week. Steve Stuber, who is heading up the fundraising drive to… Continue reading

Homer’s Charlie Menke shields Soldotna’s Alex Montague from the ball Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Soldotna High School. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Homer boys, Soldotna girls claim soccer victories

The Soldotna girls and Homer boys soccer teams claimed victories Tuesday at Soldotna High School, with both games ending at 2-1. The matches did not… Continue reading

Homer’s Charlie Menke shields Soldotna’s Alex Montague from the ball Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Soldotna High School. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central defender Max Dye (22) battles with South Anchorage’s Blake Hepler April 16, 2016, at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Boys soccer preview 2016: Kards look to follow up on runner-up finish at state

It would appear to be a good year for the Kenai Central boys soccer team. Last season, the Kardinals became the first Kenai Peninsula team… Continue reading

Kenai Central defender Max Dye (22) battles with South Anchorage’s Blake Hepler April 16, 2016, at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Above is the kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team from Redemption MMA which tied for second place at state: William Bogart, Danny Bennett, Trenton Blume, Carter Norman, Richard Green, Lauren Chircop, Addy Nordwall, Elijah Fulk, Elias Fulk, Charisma Fulk, Hudson Link, Owen Payne, Anthony Payne, Noah Payne, Avery Medina, Sebastian Duyck, Logan Duyck, Levi Forest, Mason Snyder, Nathan Cox, Jacob Cox, Connor Kniceley-John, Milo Bogart, Cali Bennett and Colette Kolesar. Coaches in front from left to right are Sean Babitt, Jacob Montgomery, Redemption Head BJJ coach George Grossman and Adam McClure. (Photo provided by Redemption MMA)

Redemption MMA places well at state

Redemption MMA of Soldotna tied for second in the kids division and took second place in the adult division Saturday in Anchorage at the state… Continue reading

Above is the kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team from Redemption MMA which tied for second place at state: William Bogart, Danny Bennett, Trenton Blume, Carter Norman, Richard Green, Lauren Chircop, Addy Nordwall, Elijah Fulk, Elias Fulk, Charisma Fulk, Hudson Link, Owen Payne, Anthony Payne, Noah Payne, Avery Medina, Sebastian Duyck, Logan Duyck, Levi Forest, Mason Snyder, Nathan Cox, Jacob Cox, Connor Kniceley-John, Milo Bogart, Cali Bennett and Colette Kolesar. Coaches in front from left to right are Sean Babitt, Jacob Montgomery, Redemption Head BJJ coach George Grossman and Adam McClure. (Photo provided by Redemption MMA)
Defenseman Shayne Monahan of the Kenai River Brown Bears pushes Kasilof’s Sandra Berzanske on the ice at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex during a fundraiser for the team Monday, April 3, 2017. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Event held to raise money for Brown Bears

Fundraising push Defenseman Shayne Monahan of the Kenai River Brown Bears pushes Kasilof’s Sandra Berzanske on the ice at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex during… Continue reading

Defenseman Shayne Monahan of the Kenai River Brown Bears pushes Kasilof’s Sandra Berzanske on the ice at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex during a fundraiser for the team Monday, April 3, 2017. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Fairbanks senior Kaillee Skjold drives to the basket in early February 2017. (Photo courtesy of UAF/Paul H. McCarthy)

SoHi graduate Skjold caps successful hoops career at UAF

Kaillee Skjold, a 2013 Soldotna High School graduate, still remembers, vividly, the practice when the fear began to clear. It was an 8 a.m. Monday… Continue reading

University of Alaska Fairbanks senior Kaillee Skjold drives to the basket in early February 2017. (Photo courtesy of UAF/Paul H. McCarthy)
Kenai River Brown Bears forward Jonathan Marzec makes a move on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pennsylvania) Knights defenseman Dorian Dawson on Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears’ Marzec commits to UW-Stout

That must have been one heck of a visit the Kenai River Brown Bears had to the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Feb. 16. Brown Bears… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Jonathan Marzec makes a move on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pennsylvania) Knights defenseman Dorian Dawson on Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Series preview: Brown Bears at Ice Dogs

The season, and thus his time with the Kenai River Brown Bears, was over in 2014 when Alec Butcher was named the Most Valuable Player… Continue reading

Carter Wade of the Kenai River Brown Bears and Tim Gelatt of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pennsylvania) Knights square off in the first period Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bears finish weekend with win over Knights

The 1,113 fans that flocked to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Friday to celebrate, and try to preserve, the bonds of hockey, family and… Continue reading

Carter Wade of the Kenai River Brown Bears and Tim Gelatt of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Pennsylvania) Knights square off in the first period Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Series preview: Brown Bears vs. Knights

By JEFF HELMINIAK Peninsula Clarion Whether these are the last two home games of the season for the Kenai River Brown Bears, or the last… Continue reading

Brown Bears forward Lucas Carroll commits to UW-Stout

Brown Bears forward Lucas Carroll commits to UW-Stout

Kenai River Brown Bears forward Lucas Carroll became the first member of the team to make a college commitment this season, verbally committing to Division… Continue reading

Brown Bears forward Lucas Carroll commits to UW-Stout

Push is on to save Kenai River Brown Bears

The Kenai River Brown Bears still have a chance at survival. After the North American Hockey League Board of Governors meeting on Feb. 26, Brown… Continue reading

Ninilchik’s White nabs Gatorade Player of Year

With eight state championships and nine state players of the year in 18 seasons under seven-time state coach of the year Dan Leman, it would… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan and Topeka (Kansas) RoadRunners forward Kyle Klatt battle for the puck Friday, March 17, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Topeka takes series from Brown Bears

The Topeka (Kansas) RoadRunners defeated the Kenai River Brown Bears 4-1 on Saturday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in the rubber match of the… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan and Topeka (Kansas) RoadRunners forward Kyle Klatt battle for the puck Friday, March 17, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Series preview: Brown Bears vs. RoadRunners

The news that the Kenai River Brown Bears will take up inactive status at the end of their 10th season has rocked everyone associated with… Continue reading

Ninilchik’s DeeAnn White (left) looks for space against Nikolaevsk’s Elizabeth Fefelov in the second half of the Peninsula Conference girls championship game at Homer High School on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Ninilchik boys ready to defend Class 1A state title

Ninilchik boys coach Nick Finley is not worried about his team as the Wolverines get set to defend their Class 1A state basketball title at… Continue reading

Ninilchik’s DeeAnn White (left) looks for space against Nikolaevsk’s Elizabeth Fefelov in the second half of the Peninsula Conference girls championship game at Homer High School on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Central to be reclassified as Class 3A starting in 2018-19 school year

According to athletic director Chris Hanson, Kenai Central will be reclassified as a Class 3A school beginning in the 2018-19 school year. Hanson said the… Continue reading

Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan and goalie Robbie Goor work to keep the puck out of the net Friday, March 10, 2017, against the Coulee Region (Wisconsin) Chill at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Chill take 2 from Brown Bears

With the team having announced inactive status at the end of this season, the players and coaching staff of the Kenai River Brown Bears have… Continue reading

Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan and goalie Robbie Goor work to keep the puck out of the net Friday, March 10, 2017, against the Coulee Region (Wisconsin) Chill at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Sam Sterne moves the puck on Nov. 11, 2016, against the Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Defenseman Sterne does dirty work for Brown Bears

Since the age of 15, Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Sam Sterne has worked in his family’s concrete business, spending up to nine hours a… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Sam Sterne moves the puck on Nov. 11, 2016, against the Janesville (Wisconsin) Jets at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Series preview: Brown Bears vs. Coulee Region Chill

In extremely tough times, Kenai River head coach Jeff Worlton is pleased that his team has kept working hard with the Coulee Region (Wisconsin) Chill… Continue reading