VICTORIA COUGARS SEASON PREVIEW

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — After a disappointing playoff performance last season, the Victoria Cougars look to recapture the glory which won them three Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League titles in the past six years.

Going for four will be no easy task, especially beginning the 2010 campaign with three games in three nights.  However, Mark Van Helvoirt, who enters into his fourth season as Victoria’s head coach, relishes the idea.

“We are looking forward to three games in three nights.  We start off the year playing strong teams.  It will give us a good opportunity to see where we are at and to see what aspects of our game we need to improve,” Van Helvoirt said.  “We have a couple of games on the road which will give the team some extra time together to create that team unity.”

The Cougars begin their twelfth season Thursday, September 9 against the defending league champion Peninsula Panthers; the same team which knocked Victoria out of last year’s playoffs.  Game time at the recently renovated Archie Browning Sports Centre, located at 1151 Esquimalt Road, is 7:15 p.m.  Fans bringing a non-perishable item to the game will be admitted for only $2.  All food items collected will be donated to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

On Friday, the team is off to Saanich before travelling to Oceanside to round out a hectic opening week.

Throughout the years, Victoria has always been an offensive, high-tempo, puck-possession team.  And this year should be no different.  Van Helvoirt’s teams have finished first overall in scoring every season since he took over from Craig Didmon.  The Cougars scored 226 goals in 2007, 236 in 2008, and 229 in 2009 for a three year average of 4.8 goals per game.

Leading the offense this year will be 20-year-old forward Trevor McNeil and 19-year-old Josh Wyatt.

A 41-goal scorer back in 2007 while playing for the Sooke Stingers, McNeil’s offense compliments his leadership skills and defensive abilities.

“We are expecting Trevor to lead on and off the ice.  He will be a big part of our leadership group this season,” Van Helvoirt said.  “Trevor is a natural goal scorer and we will be counting on him to deliver both offensively and defensively.”

As for Wyatt, who has improved each season (three goals in 2008 and 14 goals in 2009), is primed for a breakout year.  In Victoria’s final preseason game, Wyatt scored four times.

“Josh has all the skills and abilities to be an elite player in this league.  We saw that last season and we will be counting on him again this season,” Van Helvoirt said.

After McNeil and Wyatt, it will be up to the secondary scorers like Chris Bannister and Sam Rice to provide some offense.

But it is Chris Savage and Eric Guthrie, both of whom are entering into their fourth year in the league, who will need to have impact seasons.

“Both of these players have the ability to contribute offensively and become two of the tougher players in the league to play against,” Van Helvoirt said.

Savage, Guthrie, Bannister, and Rice are all capable of 15-goal seasons.

Since the team’s inception, a Cougar player has either won or co-won the league’s rookie of the year award six different times.  Last year, Rice shared the honour with Saanich’s Ty Jones.

This year, there is a good crop of rookie forwards.  However, one player that stands out is Clark Anderson, an import from Colorado.

“Clark is a talented player who we think will fit in well with this year’s club.  He brings a well-rounded game to our line up,” Van Helvoirt said.

Ben Kinshella, a product of the Saanich Minor Hockey Association, Brody Coulter, a product of the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association, and Jake Daughtry, who played last season with the Banff Hockey Academy, also made the team.

Mark Walton just recently returned from Powell River after trying out for the defending BCHL Coastal Conference champion Kings.

The defense is somewhat intact from last year with the exception of Blair Murphy, who is in the United States playing for the Helena Bighorns of the Northern Pacific Hockey League.

After converting from a forward to a defenseman last season, not only did Adam Steenbergen turn his career around, he was named the league’s defenseman of the year.  Steenbergen’s eight goals and 36 assists were tops amongst all defensemen.

While Steenbergen will be putting up the numbers, Mark Meyer will be preventing it.

“Mark will have the opportunity to play against the other team’s top lines on a regular basis,” Van Helvoirt said.  “He will be leaned on this year to shut down the top players around the league.”

Meyer, one of several players in Victoria’s leadership core, will also be counted on to bring along and mentor the younger players.

Rounding out the top five are Scott Mellett, Justin Sotkowy, and Brandan Smith, all of whom are stay-at-home defensemen.  Also patrolling the blue line this year will be 17-year-old Matt Sheeran, who played for the South Island Thunderbirds of the Major Midget League last season.

After goaltender Max Pelzner graduated at the end of last season, two spots were up for grabs.  18-year-old Zach Wear, who was Pelzner’s understudy, claimed one of the jobs after a strong preseason.  Oozing with potential, Wear has a chance to become one of the top goaltenders in the league.  The second goaltending position goes to Corey Koop, an 18-year-old from Squamish, BC.

The coaching staff made one change during the offseason.  Thomas Kala steps in behind the bench.  Returning for their second season are Suneil Karod and goaltending coach Bill Morrison.

Although this year’s version may not be as skilled as some other Cougar teams of the past, it appears that this team will be hard-working and selfless.  And according to Van Helvoirt, he has an excellent group of players who seem to enjoy playing and improving together.

“I’m looking forward to this year’s team.  As a coach, all you can ask for are players who will listen and are constantly striving to improve,” Van Helvoirt said.

Expectations are high.

TEAM CANUCKS 2010 MALE UNDER 17 BC CUP CHAMPIONS

Team Canucks captured the 2010 Male Under 17 BC Cup with a 5-4 win over Team Maple Leafs in 100 Mile House last week.

Playing for the Canucks from the Island were Brandon Egli, South Island; Braedon Behan, Campbell River; and Taylor Grabowski , Nanaimo; while Lucas Grayson, Comox; Clay Carson, South Island ; and  David Walchuk, South Island played for the Leafs.

The Canucks took a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Adam Wheeldon (Nelson) and Diego Bartlett (Castlegar).  

The Leafs battled back in the second period and tied the game at two (2) with goals from Ryan Olsen (Delta) and Morgan Zulinick (Kamloops).  

Late in the frame the Canucks regained the lead with Bartlett’s second goal of the game.  Early in the third period the Canuck’s Wheeldon scored again and gave his team the 4-2 lead.

With five minutes remaining in the game the Canucks went up 5-2 with a goal from Steven Hodges (Chilliwack).  The Leafs responded with two  goals in 30 seconds to make it a 5-4 game; goal-scorers were Connor Fortems (Delta) and Troy Stecher (Richmond).  
The Leafs fought hard in the dying seconds and fell just short.

3rd Place Game: Team Avalanche 5 vs. Team Bruins 2

Late in the first period the Avalanche’s Turner Lawson (Kelowna) gave his team the 1-0 lead.  After a scoreless second period, Kyle Hoekstra (Vancouver) scored one minute into the third period to give the Avalanche a 2-0 lead.  

The Avalanche built their lead to four with with goals from Stefan Burzan (Surrey) and Lucas Nickles (Salmon Arm).  

The Bruins made a come back in the final 12 minutes of the third with goals from Kyle Horsman (Seachelt) and Travis Flug (Parksville), but this was as close as they would get.  The Avalanche added an empty-net goal to win the game 5-2.

Also playing for the Bruins were Quentin McShane , North Island  and  Dayne Ellison, South Island. Team Avalanche included  Brendon Enns, Campbell River; Dayne Gibson,  South Island; and Myles Powell, Comox.

5th Place Game: Team Flyers 5 vs. Team Sabres 3

Thirty seconds into the game the Flyers were on the board with a goal from Luke Gordon (Terrace).  

The Sabres tied the game four minutes later with a goal from Austin Plevy (Langley), but this was short-lived as Carter Rigby (Penticton) restored the lead for the Flyers.  

The lone goal-scorer in the second period was the Flyer’s Matt Bissett (Pitt Meadows).  The Flyers continued to push early in the third period and made it a 5-1 game with goals from Bissett and Linden Horswill (Nelson).  

The Sabres added goals from Matt Warner (Prince George) and Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) late, but it was too little too late.

Team Flyers also included Keifer Giroux, Nanaimo; Wyatt Tremblay, Campbell River;  Kyle Richter, South Island  and Adam Robertson, North Island.  Also playing for Team Sabres were Nic Renyard, South Island; Kade Pilton,North Island; and  Conner Krupa, South Island.

FIVE VANCOUVER ISLAND PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2010 WHL BANTAM ENTRY DRAFT

By Christian J. Stewart

(ISN) — Five players from Vancouver Island were selected in the 2010 Western Hockey League  Bantam Entry Draft held Thursday in Edmonton.

Leading the way was smooth-skating Nanaimo defenceman Tyson Harvey who was

selected in the second round (35th overall) by the Kamloops Blazers.   

Cowichan Valley’s speedy centre Steen Cooper was the 74th overall pick and was selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the fourth round.  

Victoria defenceman Nolan DeJong, a Saanich Minor Hockey product, was picked by the Regina Pats in the seventh round (137th overall).

Centre Jack Palmer, also of Victoria, and playing out of the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association, was selected 175th overall in the eighth round by the Brandon Wheat Kings.  

Finally, Parksville defenceman Chandler Bruyckere, playing at Notre Dame Academy, was selected in the ninth round (194th overall) by the Everett Silvertips.

DeJong, who had 12 goals, 29 assists and a whopping +31 rating in just 29 games for the Saanich Braves Bantam AA team this past season and who was a regular call-up to the Midget AAA South Island Thunderbirds, was excited about being selected.

“It’s a thrill and a great honor to be drafted by the Regina Pats. It’s also a great feeling to be recognized playing the game I love.”  

Regina Pats Director of Scouting, Todd Ripplinger, in a release on the Regina Pats website notes that, “Nolan is a very skilled defenceman who skates well and has a great stride. He is a character player and handles himself very well on the ice.”

Juan de Fuca’s Palmer, who helped guide his team to the Bantam AA Provincial Championship this season, said he was very honoured to be drafted.

“I was very surprised that more Island players were not selected.”  

Many casual hockey observers on the Island would agree with this statement and as evidenced by the recent BC Hockey U16 evaluation camp held in Lake Cowichan in March, there was certainly a large amount of hockey talent here on the Island to choose from.

However the number of players drafted is on par with the 2009 draft which also saw five players from the Island selected.

The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual affair that is the first step in identifying graduating bantam age prospects (14- and 15-year-olds) as WHL clubs select players to add in an orderly manner to their Protected Player list.

While this draft is the first opportunity for teams to select bantam players, it is not the last chance for a player to be listed.

After the draft is completed, all the remaining bantams become eligible to be listed by teams, and many will be added as spots become available on Club’s PPLs, or as a player’s talents improve or are more noticeable at a later date or at a higher level of hockey.

MAJOR MIDGET LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY

South Island Thunderbirds’ Nic Renyard the North Island Silvertips’ Brent Baltus were runners-up for the Major Midget League Player of the Month for February.  

Fraser Valley Bruin’s forward Brad Parker from Chilliwack was named player of the mont.

Parker finished the month with 15 points – six goals and nine assists – and had an impressive plus seven rating.

SILVERTIPS WIN, THUNDERBIRDS WINLESS

By Sean Orr

The North Island Silvertips won both their games while the South Island Thunderbird lost both theirs last weekend in BC Hockey Major Midget League action.

North Island Silvertips vs. Fraser Valley Bruins

Game One: Silvertips 7 – Burins 2
Game Two: Silvertips 6 – Bruins 1

North Island was led by Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) and Brent Baltus (Nanaimo) this past weekend: Richardson finished with nine points, three  goals and six assists and Baltus also finished with nine points – seven goals and two assists…Dalton Sward (Abbotsford), Brandon Daase (Chilliwack) and Steven Hodges (Chilliwack) each scored for the Bruins.

 

South Island Thunderbirds vs. Cariboo Cougars

Game One: Thunderbirds 1 – Cougars 3
Game Two: Thunderbirds 3 – Cougars 4

Nic Renyard (Victoria) almost single handedly won the first game for the Thunderbirds, stopping 41 of 43 shots…Jordan Duncan (Prince George), Chris Albee (Prince George) and Tyson Witala (Prince George) third period goals gave the Cougars the come-from-behind game one  win…Jared Crossan’s (Prince George) third period goal proved to be the game two  winner for the Cougars.

The Vancouver North West Giants and Cariboo Cougars have clinched a bye to the semi-finals after finishing in the top two  positions in the BC Hockey Major Midget League standings.  Playoff matches will be determined following the final weekend of League Play.

NO WIN FOR ISLAND TEAMS

By Sean Orr

The two Vancouver Island teams did not fare well in BC Hockey Major Midget League action on the weekend.  

South Island Thunderbirds vs. Thompson Blazers

Game One: Thunderbirds 4 – Blazers 4
Game Two: Thunderbirds 3 – Blazers 3

The Thunderbirds came back from a 4-0 deficit in the third period in the first game of the weekend to secure the tie…Mark Walton (Victoria) finished the weekend with two goals and one  assist the Thunderbirds…Shane Danyluk (Salmon Arm) finished the first game with three  goals for the Blazers…The T-Birds hold a one  point lead over the Blazers for the last spot in the MML standings.

Vancouver North West Giants vs. North Island Silvertips

Game One: Giants 7 – Silvertips 1
Game Two: Giants 2 – Silvertips 0

Curtis Loik’s (North Vancouver) hat trick in the first game led his team past the Silvertips…The lone goal scorer for the Silvertips in the weekend was Beau Blanaru (Nanaimo)…Griffin Reinhart (West Vancouver) finished with the weekend with four  points – one (1) goal and three (3) assists – for the Giants…Lyndon Stonwood (West Vancouver) scored the shut out in net for the Giants in their game two  win.

ISLAND TEAMS WIN ONE, LOSE ONE EACH

By Sean Orr

The North Island Silvertips and the South Island Thunderbirds won one, lost one each in Major Midget League action over the weekend.

North Island Silvertips vs. Vancouver North East Chiefs

Game One: Silvertips 6 – Chiefs 5
Game Two: Chiefs 9 – Silvertips 4

Brent Baltus (Nanaimo) had an outstanding weekend for the Silvertips finishing with four  goals and two  assists…The Chiefs had a strong weekend offensively; Justin Georgeson (Maple Ridge) finished with six points, Jordan Beveridge (Maple Ridge) and Matthew Bissett (Maple Ridge) each had four points and four other players finished with three  points apiece…Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) extended his league-leading point total to 61 after finishing the weekend with three points.

Okanagan Rockets vs. South Island Thunderbirds

Game One: Rockets 5 – Thunderbirds 1
Game Two: Thunderbirds 3 – Rockets 2  

Thunderbird’s goaltender Ryan Waldhaus (Victoria) had a spectacular game on Sunday, stopping 49 shots en route to his teams upset win…Brandon Egli’s (Victoria) goal with 3:57 remaining in the third period of the second game proved to be the game winner for the Thunderbirds…Brent Lashuk’s (Lake Country) finished the first game with three  points with one of his goals being the game winner.

SILVERTIPS ACE THUNDERBIRDS

By Sean Orr

The North Island Silvertips aced the South Island Thunderbirds in two Major Midget Hockey League games over the weekend.

Game One: Thunderbirds 0 – Silvertips 4
Game Two: Thunderbirds 2 – Silvertips 4

Sean MaGuire (Powell River) had a strong game in net for the Silvertips in their 4-0 win over the Thunderbirds

Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) finished the weekend with six points – two goals and four assists – increasing his league leading total to 58 points.

Sam Johnston (North Saanich) and Dane Gibson (Sidney) were the lone goal scorers for the Thunderbirds…the Thunderbirds were hit hard by injuries this weekend with five regulars out of the line-up.

Brent Baltus’s (Nanaimo) second goal of three on the weekend for the Silvertips proved to be the game two winner.

TOUGH WEEKEND FOR ISLAND MIDGET HOCKEY TEAMS

By Sean Orr

The South Island Thunderbirds tied one and lost one to the Kootenay Ice in
Major Midget League action on the weekend.

The North Island Silvertips lost both games to the Cariboo Cougars..

Kootenay Ice vs. South Island Thunderbirds

Game One: Thunderbirds 4 – Ice 4
Game Two: Thunderbirds 2 – Ice 3

Dallon Stoddart’s (Nelson) second goal of the game coming with only 12 seconds remaining in the third period secured a single point for the Ice.

The Thunderbirds had a strong balanced attack in the first game with four different players picking up goals: Garret Kemmler (Duncan), Clay Carson (Victoria), Kyle Richter (Victoria) and Sam McMullen (Victoria) each found the back of the net

The Ice’s three goal outburst in the third period gave them the come-from-behind win; Troy Petrick (Nelson) scored the game winning goal with 11 minutes left in the game.

North Island Silvertips vs. Cariboo Cougars

Game One: Silvertips 1 – Cougars 6
Game Two: Silvertips 2 – Cougars 3

The Cougars three short-handed goals in the first game was the difference maker for the team; two  of the goals came from David Stephens (Whitehorse).

Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) factored in all Silvertips goals this weekend finishing with two goals and one assist.

Levon Johnson (Quesnel) finished the weekend with two goals and three assists for the Cougars. Marcus Beesley (Prince George) picked up his league leading 15th win in the first game of the weekend.

SILVERTIPS, THUNDERBIRDS IN MIDGET HOCKEY PLAY

By Sean Orr

The North Island Silvertips won one and lost one to the Okanagan Rockets in Major Midget League play on the weekend in Kelowna.

The South Island Thunderbirds tied one and lost one to the Valley West Hawks.

North Island Silvertips vs. Okanagan Rockets

Game One: Silvertips 4 – Rockets 0
Game Two: Silvertips 1 – Rockets 8

Sean MaGuire (Powell River) made a number of key saves in his shutout victory for the Silvertips in the first game of the weekend.

Travis Blaneil (Kelowna), Tanner Burns (Vernon), Brandon Bruce (Kelowna) and Brett Mulcahy (Kelowna) finished the second game with three points each for the Rockets.

Evan Richardson (Nanaimo) finished the weekend with two  goals and one assist for the Silvertips.

South Island Thunderbirds vs. Valley West Hawks

Game One: Thunderbirds 5 – Hawks 5
Game Two: Thunderbirds 2 – Hawks 3

Mark Walton’s (Victoria) short-handed goal with 53 seconds remaining in the first game tied the game at five.

The Hawks had a balanced scoring attack in the first game with five different players scoring: Tyler Basham, Austin Vetterl, Mak Barden, Mike Stenerson and Colton Mackie all of Surrey each scored.

Mike Stenerson’s two-goal performance in the second game helped the Hawks pick-up the two crucial points.

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