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LEAD, DEVELOP AND PROMOTE POSITIVE LIFELONG HOCKEY EXPERIENCES
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Events
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NATIONAL MEN'S U20 SELECTION CAMP
December 10-15
Montreal, QC
WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE
December 11-17
Bonnyville, AB
IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
December 26 - January 5
Toronto, ON/Montreal, QC
PJHL WINTER CLASSIC
January 1-3
Richmond, BC
FEMALE U14/U16 ZONE CAMPS
January 7-9
Various Locations
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Upcoming Deadlines
There are currently no upcoming deadlines.
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VOLUNTEER JOB POSTINGS
There are currently no listings.
If your association has any volunteer postings you would like included in next month's newsletter, please email them to info@bchockey.net.
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The hockey community in BC and the Yukon always comes together for the love of the game, but during the holiday season, it's a different kind of coming together.
We know that you, your team and Association are passionate to give back to your community.
We want you to share your stories of giving back!
Tell us and you could win a BC Hockey prize pack! Selected stories and events will be featured in the BC Hockey newsletter. Please email
scouch@bchockey.net
.
We are always looking to hear from you! Does your Association have an upcoming event that the Membership should know about? Or have you recently hosted an exciting event and want to tell us about it?
Happy Hockey!
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YUKON GIRLS EXCITED FOR EXHIBITION SERIES IN VANCOUVER
Vancouver Girls Hockey is hosting the Yukon Female Atom C1 team for an exhibition series of games, with the goal of boosting female hockey in the Yukon. The games take place January 6 - 8, 2017.
The team does not have many opportunities to play other female teams, so this weekend exhibition series will give them the opportunity to experience what female hockey is all about.
"Our team is really excited to host our fellow hockey enthusiasts from the north, especially hearing that the Yukon team has yet to play against a team of other girls," said Vancouver Girls Atom C1 coach, Merlin Dervisevic. "We hope that once word gets out about how much fun all the players had, many more girls will be enticed to play the world'd greatest sport, both in BC and the Yukon."
The girls are so excited to head to the big city and, for the first time ever, play against girls teams," commented Yukon Atom C1 coach, Pat Tobler. "Since bringing the girls together (for practices and exhibition games versus boys teams), we have seen their confidence grow and we anticipate playing other girls teams will add to their confidence and their overall love for the game. This series will build significant momentum for our emerging girls program in the Yukon."
Yukon will play each Vancouver team twice, and Burnaby to round out the weekend. There will be a social event for all players on the Saturday night.
"We are very excited to be playing a team from out-of-province and meeting everyone," added Vancouver Girls Atom C2 coach, Jim Torrance. "It is really important for girls hockey that all the Associations support each other, especially where groups are trying to build. We really hope the Yukon girls have a great experience and that playing some all-female competition will motivate the team to continue to develop and grow. We are also looking forward to seeing what color stick tape they use and what color their laces are."
On Friday, January 7, 2017, Yukon will play the Vancouver Girls Atom C1 team at Hillcrest Arena at 5:15pm. The following day, the team will play the Vancouver Girls Atom C2 team at Killarney Arena at 10:00am, followed by their second game against the C1 squad at 3:30pm at Trout Lake Arena. The series will conclude on Sunday, January 8, 2017 when Yukon plays the C2 at 11:15am at the Richmond Oval and the Burnaby Atom C1 team at 3:00pm at Kensington Arena.
"The Burnaby Wildcats are very excited to welcome the female team from the Yukon for some exhibition hockey games in January 2017," said Lee Poizer, Burnaby Atom C1 coach. "Some of my fondest memories of my own minor hockey days involve road trips and games against teams from other regions. You may be opponents on the ice, but you're linked by a common bond and a passion for the game."
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HAWKS HOST STINGRAYS FOR AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
In partnership with the Canucks Autism Network (CAN), the Valley West Hawks hosted the Surrey Stingrays autistic minor hockey team at their game on Sunday, December 11, 2017 at 3:30pm.
The Surrey Stingrays cheered on the Hawks from the stands as they defeated the South Island Royals 7 - 6 at the Langley Events Centre.
The Hawks are more than familiar with Autism; General Manager Rob Evers and Head Coach Jessie Leung, both have a autistic nephew and Assistant Coach Kyle Spencer has a son with autism.
"Autism is something that holds a special place in our hearts for our Hawks staff. We all have someone in our immediate families that is affected by it," said Evers. "It is super important for us to help make people with autistic children aware that there are opportunities for their kids to participate in many sports, such as hockey, that maybe they never thought would be an option for their children. Jessie and I had the chance to work with CAN at our Team BC Provincial Camp with our players and it was the most memorable and rewarding thing we participated in that week."
The team raised funds for autism awareness through a donation box as well as a raffle of many great prizes including a Vancouver Giants team autographed jersey.
The Surrey Stingrays were established in 2014 and are one (1) of two (2) adapted hockey teams supported by CAN. The CAN hockey program is a unique 20-week program in which participants form a team and work with trained coaches and volunteers to learn hockey skills at weekly practices. The season wraps up in the spring with a tournament that brings together eight (8) adapted hockey teams from across the province.
Both CAN teams, the Surrey Stingrays and Vancouver Orcas, participated in their first hockey tournament
on April 2, 2016, which is recognized globally as World Autism Awareness Day, in Surrey. The full-day tournament not only had a lasting impact on the participants, but on the family as a whole.
"I saw other parents cheering, but their cheers were more than just noise; they were celebrating the reality of their dream and their child's journey," said one CAN parent. "The were celebrating all of the doubts that were proven wrong, all of the hours of therapy and hard work. I saw looks from parent to parent that said a thousand words, but were fully understood."
The Stingrays and Orcas are now training for the annual hockey tournament set for spring 2017 in Penticton.
The CAN hockey program is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors and the dedication and fundraising efforts of the two (2) teams. The program fosters confidence, skill building and friendships, not just between team members, but between the hockey parents as well.
"The coaches and volunteers are amazing," said Heather Bolecz, a parent of one of the Stingrays. "The level of awareness, acceptance and support they provide our kids is unmatched by any other recreation program we have participated in. Our son has had the opportunity to play hockey and work together as a team, and we have all had the opportunity to create lasting friendships. This would not have been possible without the great work of CAN!"
To learn more about CAN and the CAN hockey program, please visit
canucksautism.ca.
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HOCKEY DAY IN HAZELTON: GROWING THE GAME ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME
Nestled in a little nook in northwestern BC, built on the junction of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers, in the middle of the Roche de Boule Mountain Range, you will find the picturesque Hazeltons. From the moment we pulled into this town, we knew it was going to be a special weekend. We were greeted with open friendliness and a warm welcome wherever we went and everyone we met was proud and happy to share their story about lie in the Hazeltons. The community was enthusiastic to welcome us new-comers with open arms. Although we stood out like a sore thumb as "non-locals," the immediate friendliness and energy was felt.
We arrived early so we decided to take the opportunity to explore the historic and scenic area of the Hazeltons. First stop: Old Hazelton. To get there, we had to cross the breath taking Hagwilget Canyon Bridge, a one (1) lane suspension bridge 80 metres (262 feet) above the raging Bulkley River, which boasts incredible views of the river below and the gorgeous Roche de Boule Mountain Range. Once we crossed over the Canyon Bridge, we pulled over to enjoy the majestic viewpoint of the Skeena River, Hagwilget Peak (or Stegyawden, a Tsimshian name meaning 'stands alone') and the rest of the Roche de Boule. One word: Amazing!
CLICK HERE to continue reading. Additional pictures from the weekend can be found
here, as well as a video by Canucks TV
here.
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UNRIVALLED SIBLINGS: POTOMAKS BECOME FIRST SISTERS TO MAKE TEAM CANADA
c/o The Province
"We've never played together in Canada jerseys. It's beyond cool."
To hear Amy Potomak tell it, Melody Davidson has a gift for patiently building up a story.
Davidson is the general manager for national women's teams for Hockey Canada. Potomak, 17, an Aldergrove native, is one of this country's top young forwards.
Davidson pulled Potomak aside in Regina after Potomak had helped BC to a bronze medal at the Women's U18 National Championship, copping tournament most valuable player honours in the process. She talked to Potomak about how she had done, about her training for the coming few months and other odds and ends.
Then came the kicker. Davidson finished up by telling Potomak that she would make her Senior national team debut as part of a two (2) game exhibition series against the Americans later this month. Older sister Sarah Potomak, a forward who turns 19 later this month and is currently a starting sophomore with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, had found out she was part of that team via email earlier.
"I didn't say a whole lot and I'm pretty sure whatever I said didn't make a lot of sense," recalled Amy. "It's great to have the chance to put on the Canada jersey, but to be able to do it with my sister takes it to a whole other level."
READ MORE
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THIRD TIME'S A CHARM
c/o Hockey Canada
Jordan Kawaguchi remembered the feeling.
He remembered twice going into a meeting with the coaching staff and being told it wasn't his year, that he wouldn't be wearing the red and white of Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge.
It wasn't going happen a third time.
This time around, in his last year of eligibility, the 19-year-old made his Team Canada dreams a reality, finally earning a spot on the roster as one (1) of the 22 best from the Canadian Junior Hockey League's (CJHL) five (5) western teams.
"[Your mind] starts racing. Your heart starts racing. You have a big smile on your face," Kawaguchi says of being told by Head Coach Barry Wolff that he was making the trip to Bonnyville. "There aren't many things that can compete with that feeling. I'm just really fortunate that I was able to do it this year."
The Abbotsford, BC native has long been an impact player with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BC Hockey League (BCHL). In his fourth season with the Chiefs, Kawaguchi - who wears the 'C' in the Fraser Valley - finished third in the league with 45 goals last year, and finds himself among the top five (5) in league scoring this year.
He has been so clutch in the playoffs, co-leading the league postseason scoring last spring and helping the Chiefs to back-to-back Mainland Division championships, as well as a spot in the BCHL final in 2016.
But when it was time for selection camp, something always seemed to be missing.
"The last few years I cam in, maybe didn't perform at my best at camp, but that's how it goes. They had a lot of players come to camp, and they picked the best ones they felt were going to help that win a championship."
Last season, they did just that. Canada West, led by a trio of first-round National Hockey League (NHL) draft picks (Tyson Jost, Dante Fabbro and Dennis Cholowski) claimed its fourth World Junior A Challenge gold medal in Cobourg, Ontario, and all Kawaguchi could do was watch from home.
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MALM MAKING MOST OF MORE OPPORTUNITY
c/o Langley Times
 A dog really is a man's best friend but for James Malm, the family pet also serves as his off-season training partner. "He loves it. He always comes over and tries to initiate it," Malm said with a chuckle about his golden retriever, Toby.
The pair will spend time in the summers in the backyard of the family's home, where Malm's dad John constructed an obstacle course a few years ago after they moved to Langely from North Delta. The course was designed for Malm to work on his puck handling skills.
With Toby, Malm will play keep-away, trying to dangle the puck through the dog's legs. "I think it helps quite a bit for my hand-eye (coordination)," Malm said. And there are no denying that his offensive abilities are what have gotten Malm to this point.
"He has got lots of great offensive instincts. When he has the puck he can do some real good thing with it," said Vancouver Giants Head Coach, Jason McKee. "A young guy that I think is just scratching the surface. Tremendously talented player."
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BC HOCKEY LOCKER ROOM NOW OPEN
BC Hockey is proud to offer the membership an easy way to shop for our favorite gear. The BC Hockey Locker Room
offers a wide variety of apparel and other small hockey items for men, women and children.
The BC Hockey Locker Room is currently stocked with many "essential" items for all hockey fans. Flat shipping rate of $7.50 is charged per order.
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Does your Minor Hockey Association have an upcoming event the membership should know about?
Or have you hosted an awesome event and want to tell us about it?
We want to know what you are doing at your association and share it with hockey fans across the Province.
Send your story/event to: info@bchockey.net.
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Want to be a part of BC Hockey events? Or do you know someone who would love to be involved in hockey in their community?
We are always accepting names and resumes for volunteer positions for BC Hockey events across the province. Some events include: the Male U16 and Female U18 BC Cups and minor rec skills camps and jamborees
.
Get involved today!
Please forward your name, or someone you know, and your/their details to: info@bchockey.net.
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Follow along for the latest Social Buzz
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Check out the BC Hockey mobile app for the scoreboard, rules & hand books, practice plans and much more!
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