SALMON KINGS TO TAKE ON UBC THUNDERBIRDS

The Victoria Salmon Kings will host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for exhibition contests Oct. 9 and 10.

Saturday evening’s contest will take place at 7:05 pm, while the teams will square off at 12:00 pm the following afternoon. Admission for both games will be by donation to the TLC Fund for Kids. Following Sunday’s afternoon game, the Salmon Kings present their first of two “Skate with the Salmon Kings” for the 2010-11 season. Skates will be available to rent through the City of Victoria by donation.

If that is not enough, there will be hot dogs, popcorn and pop available for only $1.00 each during both games! For a great night of free entertainment with dollar dogs, popcorn and pop, make sure you don’t miss out on action as the players battle it out for a spot on this year’s roster! Vouchers for dollar dogs, popcorn and pop will be available for download and print from www.theq.fm or www.thezone.fm Sept. 13.

The Salmon Kings open the 2010-11 season  Oct. 15 in Idaho with a two-game set versus the defending National Conference champion Steelheads.

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.

YEE TO CAPTAIN JUNIOR BRAVES FOR 2010-2011

(ISN) — New captain of the Saanich Junior Braves for the 2010-2011 season is veteran forward, all-star and MVP Trevor Yee.

“Trevor is a natural athlete, has exceptional skills and works hard at all times on and off the ice,” said new Braves head coach Robin Gomez.

“Trevor is a natural leader and my first choice for the position.”

The Braves start their season today on the road at Bear Mountain Arena versus the Westshore Stingers.

Game time is 7:30.

The Junior Braves home opener is Friday at George Pearkes Arena versus the Victoria Cougars. Game time is 6:30.

COUGARS BLUNT STINGERS 9-2

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — Josh Wyatt helped propel the Victoria Cougars past the Westshore Stingers 9-2 in preseason action with a four goal performance Thursday night.

Also scoring for Victoria, which led 2-1 after one period and 5-1 after two, was Chris Bannister (2), Justin Sotkowy, Tom Neeser, and Trevor McNeil.

Zach Wear enjoyed a solid night in goal, making 15 saves through two periods.  His best save came late in the second period when he stopped David Hansen during a partial breakaway.

Replacing Wear in the third period was Evan Roch, who kicked out 8-of-9 shots.

Travis Oickle and Carson David scored for the Stingers.

Goaltender Adriel Bailey started the first half of the game before making way to Jonny Webb.

The Cougars went 4-for-5 on powerplay.  Westshore went 0-for-7.

THREE STAR SELECTIONS:

1.       Josh Wyatt (Victoria)
2.       Justin Sotkowy (Victoria)
3.       Mark Meyer (Victoria)

NOTES:

The Cougars finished the preseason 3-0 and outscored their opponents 21-4.

SALMON KINGS HIRE TWO

The Victoria Salmon Kings have hired Kevin Heise as the team’s new athletic therapistand Marc Beaudoin as the head equipment manager.

Heise joins the Salmon Kings for his 13th season as an athletic therapist after spending the 2009-10 campaign with the Amarillo Gorillas in the Central Hockey League (CHL). He also has previous experience in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with seven seasons between the Tri-City Americans and Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as four years with the Mount Royal College Cougars of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Beaudoin, a Grande Prairie, AB native, joins the Salmon Kings with over 12 years of experience in hockey. He has spent 10 of the last 12 hockey seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Grande Prairie Storm.

COUGARS SWIPE STINGERS 9-0

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — The Victoria Cougars improved to 2-0 in preseason play following their 9-0 win over the Westshore Stingers on Monday night.

Victoria, which outshot the hometown Stingers 35-13 through two periods (shots on goal in the third period were unavailable), held period leads of 3-0 and 6-0.

Brett Clarke recorded a five point night, potting a pair of goals while assisting on three others. The towering power forward opened the scoring at 9:06 when his shot rang off the iron and in.  Clarke gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead with his second goal of the game at 3:55 of the third period.

Also scoring for Victoria were Trevor McNeil (2), Ryan Chan (2), Eric Guthrie, Jerry Vale, and Chris Bannister.

Justin Goritz and Evan Roch shared the shutout.

The Cougars conclude their preseason this Thursday against Westshore.  Game time at the Archie Browning Sports Centre, located at 1151 Esquimalt Road, is 7:15 p.m.

THREE STAR SELECTIONS:

Not announced

NOTES:

Mike Hammond, star of the Cowichan Valley Capitals and former Victoria Cougar, was in attendance.

FINAL PRESEASON GAME TO DETERMINE WHO STAYS, WHO GOES

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — The Victoria Cougars will conclude preseason play Thursday when they host the Westshore Stingers.

Game time at the Archie Browning Sports Centre, located at 1151 Esquimalt Road, is 7:15 p.m.

Victoria will be looking to build on its momentum having already won both preseason games.  Back on Aug. 19, Josh Wyatt assisted on all three Cougar goals in a 3-2 victory over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.

Ten days later, a five-point night (two goals and three assists) from Brett Clarke helped propel Victoria past the Stingers 9-0.

Thursday’s game will mark the final time for both veterans and rookies to make a lasting impression on Cougars’ head coach Mark Van Helvoirt.

Admission is only $5 per person.  Children 10-years-old or younger will be admitted for free.

Victoria opens the regular season at home against the defending Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champion Peninsula Panthers on Thursday, Sept. 9.

COUGARS ICE GLACIER KINGS 3-2

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — The Victoria Cougars survived a late third period scare and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in pre-season action on Thursday night.

Comox Valley trailed 3-1 before Andrew Gaiga pulled the visitors to within a goal with just under nine minutes to play in regulation time.  Then with 1:48 to go, Victoria’s Trevor McNeil and Stewart Lee were involved in a shoving match.  After the dust settled, McNeil was the only player penalized.

After calling a timeout, Glacier Kings’ head coach Jim MacLean kept goaltender Adam Todd at the player’s bench in favour of an extra attacker.  With six skaters against four, Corey Allen had the best chance at tying the game but his shot was turned aside by Evan Roch.

Josh Wyatt, who assisted on all three Cougar goals, came up big on the penalty kill, tipping Kelin Hrycuik’s cross ice pass out of harm’s way.

After a scoreless first period, Mark Walton opened the scoring 38 seconds into the second period.  Outmuscling his defender in front of the Comox Valley net, Walton one timed a Wyatt pass from behind the net past starting goaltender Cam Large.

But at 10:26, 32 seconds after Victoria was called for too many men on the ice; Jason Austin took a Mitch Ball rebound off the end glass and beat Roch five hole.

Watching the proceedings high above the ice surface, Cougars’ head coach Mark Van Helvoirt liked what he saw when Wyatt, at 12:03, sent a tape to tape pass over to Walton who was streaking through the middle.  In behind the Glacier Kings defense, Walton got the hometown fans at the recently refurbished Archie Browning Sports Centre up and out of their seats with his second goal of the game.

Then at 14:24, Victoria took a 3-1 lead.

After taking a pair of blasts from the point earlier in his shift, it was “three times a charm” for Mark Meyer who gave the Cougars a two goal advantage heading into the second intermission.  60 feet away, Meyer found the back of the net with one of his patented howitzers.

A miscue by a Victoria defender at 11:09 of the third period allowed Gaiga to tee the puck up and rifle it past Roch.

But that was as close as the defending North Island Division champions would come.

Victoria went 0-for-4 on the power play while the Glacier Kings went 1-for-4.

THREE STAR SELECTIONS:

1st star, Mark Walton (Victoria)

2nd star, Josh Wyatt (Victoria)

3rd star, Mitch Ball (Comox Valley)

NOTES:  Associate coaches Suneil Karod and Thomas Kala worked behind the bench.  Goaltending coach Bill Morrison accompanied Van Helvoirt in the gondola.

COUGARS TO FACE GLACIER KINGS IN PRE-SEASON ACTION

By Peter Kung

(ISN) — The Victoria Cougars will open their 2010-11 pre-season slate on Thursday, August 19 when they host the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.

Game time at the Archie Browning Sports Centre, located at 1151 Esquimalt Road, is 7:15 p.m.

Thursday’s game marks the first of three pre-season games for the Cougars.

Prior to its home opener against the Peninsula Panthers on Thursday, September 9, Victoria will conclude the 2010-11 pre-season with a home and home series against the Westshore Stingers.  The Cougars will travel to Westshore on Monday, August 30 before entertaining the Stingers back at the A.B.S.C. on Thursday, September 2.

SILVERTIPS HOLD TRY-OUTS

By Tali Campbell

NANAIMO (ISN) — As many of us were sleeping in, enjoying our Saturday a handful of young lads weren’t.

Surprisingly, they were playing ice hockey.

The North Island Silvertips were holding try-outs for this upcoming season @ the Nanaimo Ice Centre (NIC)

As a bunch of players went onto the ice, another bunch were over at the second arena, dry training. Getting their pre-game warm-ups in, running, stretching etc!

On ice they scrimmaged around, shot some pucks, did a few plays until the afternoon when it became a scrimmage. It was colours VS colours for a fun little tourney that went from Saturday afternoon into tomorrow.

At any one time there were approximately 15 players and two goalies. The session was coached by the assistant coaches of the Silver Tips as head coach Steve Parsons watched, as did other scouts from around Vancouver Island.

By the end of this weekend, the Silver Tips need to commit to 11 players.

There should be plenty of returning talent with which to build that core, but the veterans shouldn’t take anything for granted, Coach Steve Parsons told Greg Sakaki from the Nanaimo News Bulletin!

Hard decisions will be made by the Silver Tips because of the outstanding talent shown by all players today.

Don’t be surprised to see one these young lads will be the next Steven Stamkos, or Sid the Kid! – Tali Campbell, 15, is ISN Nanaimo correspondent

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