Hollyburn Report: Midget A Team Captures Tier 1 Banner

February 10, 2012
Posted in BC Edition, Minor

BY BRENDAN MUNRO/

The Hollyburn Midget A Huskies will be putting another banner on the wall of their arena after defeating Ridge Meadows 3-0 on Friday night. Defenseman Nick Lyons’ pair of goals wrapped up their assault on the PCAHA’s Tier 1 division schedule, finishing 16-1-1.

“I’m really proud of the boys, they played a helluva season for sure,” said assistant coach Ian Taylor. “I think we definitely have another level we can bring our game to. We have a couple guys that just came back from injury, so we’re just trying to get everyone’s feet back underneath them again.”

While the Huskies were able to dispatch nearly all comers during the regular season, they struggled against some of the best teams in the province in last month’s Kelowna tournament. They will have to work hard to remedy some defensive lapses that plague their game on occasion if they are to reclaim the Provincial title last won by the Huskies in 2009, but coach Taylor is confident that he’s working with the right group of players to reach that objective.

“We’ve got a lot of heart on this team,” said Taylor “right from the goaltenders out everyone is putting in a really great effort. They’re buying into the coaches system, doing what they need to do and coming to play every night.”

The Huskies will get a first round bye before heading into playoffs later this month.

 

Prime Minister and Premier visit Hollyburn

It is widely known that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a huge hockey fan. He is often shown on television sitting in the crowd at NHL games and was recently seen at the World Juniors in Edmonton. He is also reportedly writing a book about the history of hockey. Harper can also occasionally be spotted at the rink watching minor hockey, as was the case last month when he joined B.C. Premier Christy Clark to take in a game between the Vancouver Atom A3 Thunderbirds and the Hollyburn Atom A2 Huskies.

“An hour before our game time I noticed a few professional photographers around and something seemed a bit different,” said Huskies assistant coach Brian Evans. “Then we see four police officers and a German shepherd dog sniffing the arena and a bunch of CIA type guys stationed around the arena.”

Shortly thereafter, the PM and Premier entered the building and met with members of the Thunderbirds in their dressing room.

“I figured they were making a fast exit but, much to my surprise, they stopped at our bench and the PM introduced himself to all the coaching staff and asked our names,” said Evans. “They then said they would like to take a picture of us and then a few photographers came out on the ice and started to set us up and take our picture. They then said goodbye and went to the stands and the PM and Premier watched the entire game, which ended in a 4–4 tie.”

“The kids and coaches all loved it,” said Evans.  

Bantam A1: Stout plays hero for first place Huskies

The Hollyburn Bantam A1 Huskies had a chance last weekend to finish strong and prove that they were the team to beat in Flight 3.

In a game against Semiahmoo to decide top spot in the division, the Huskies found themselves trailing 1-0 early before forward Henry Cleghorn opened his team’s account by batting the puck out of mid-air.

The teams traded second period goals before Semiahmoo pulled ahead with 11 minutes to play in the third. Huskies forward Owen Stout then emerged in the role of hero, moments later. His laser shot off the rush tied it, while his bank shot from the corner won it with 30 seconds left. The goal completed his “half-Gagner”: two goals and two assists for four points.

It was the fifth win in the last six games for the Huskies, who took over top spot in their flight.

“It feels good,” said Stout. “I definitely felt that the pressure was on, but I guess we pulled through and it worked out,”

“Our team really stuck with it,” said assistant coach Tim Keller. “Semiahmoo beat us last time we played them, but from what I can see from that game until now I think we’re getting more contributions from players throughout the lineup. Players like Stout are really pulling some people along with him and I think the guys are inspired by his play.”

The Huskies wrapped up the weekend with two more wins, finishing the regular season at 15-3-2 as they head into the playoffs.

 

Spruce King catches fire: Hollyburn alum, Paul De Jersey, BCHL

Last edition, it was Griffin Reinhart. This time, we look at another member of the Hollyburn Midget A Huskies 2009 Provincial Championship team finding continued success.

Paul De Jersey’s Junior career started rather tepidly. Trying to earn a regular job as a 16-year-old with the BCHL’s Burnaby Express, he was limited to just four points in his first full season. Unable to find his scoring touch, he was traded the next season to Salmon Arm. Having tallied just 21 points through two full seasons, many were willing to write off De Jersey.  In August 2011, De Jersey was traded once again, this time for future considerations, to the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Few could have predicted what was to come next.

The club was in the midst of a personnel overhaul and spots on the top line were up for grabs. Perhaps realizing that his hockey career was on the line, De Jersey, now Age 19, started the season like a man possessed. Scoring at a torrid pace, he was soon amongst the league leaders and was offered a scholarship to the NCAA’s Tier 1 Providence College. Growing in confidence, De Jersey has raced to a BCHL leading 39 goals and 83 points in 46 games. He has also finally caught the attention of NHL scouts, who likely have him pegged as a late-bloomer. Both he and Spruce Kings teammate Jujhar Khaira were recently ranked by Central Scouting.

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