We first met Grayson and his Family earlier this year at the Kids Sport Gala held at Tsawassen Springs and since then his “dream” has become reality.

At our first meeting I introduced him to the Vancouver Giants coaching staff at their training camp held at the Ladner Leisure Centre where the coaches were extremely gracious to chat with him which doesn’t always happen.

I mention that only due to the busy schedule that everyone has in today’s world, but regardless it was impressive to see it happen, so again thanks to the Vancouver Giants and especially Nathan Kanter.

Since the last time I posted Grayson’s world has taken off faster than the Snowbirds at the Boundary Bay Airshow this past July which continues to soar to new heights helping those less fortunate.

We all know that the cost of sporting equipment isn’t cheap in today’s world and heaven forbid for  single parents it’s even more expensive which is where Kids Sport comes into the picture.

Grayson has had the privilege to be the 7th skater on the ice with the following teams such as Delta Ice Hawks, Vancouver Canucks, Abbotsford Canucks, White Rock Whalers and the Surrey Eagles to name a few. In addition he was picked for the Athlete of the week for CTV 1130.

Knowing that he was going to the Canucks game I reached out to a good friend and Canuck Announcer Al Murdoch who along with Canuck staff brought him up to the media booth which I  graciously appreciated.

Personally I’m thrilled for the success he has taken his “dream” to for those less fortunate and if you ask him there’s no such thing as taking no for an answer.

It only goes that with his big heart and even bigger dreams, Grayson proudly shared his Play It Forward stickers with his team who  are helping spread the message that no child should go without sports gear.

The idea was his alone and did not come from any organization or minor Association and if any are trying to take the idea and run with it – think twice it comes from an eight-year old boy!!

The Giants embraced this as did minor Junior teams as did the local pro teams so that we can continue to come together and make a difference one stop, one voice and one child at a time.

There will be a sale upcoming next spring in North Delta Saturday March 14th from 10 -2 held at the New Hope Church so make the date on your calendar and put it in your planner so you don’t miss out with all donations and funds raised going to Kids Sport Delta.

Anyone wishing to  contact him can do so via his e-mail which is controlled by Adults is grayson@playitforwardsportsdelta.com and if you can’t reach him contact me at sportswave@dccnet.com 

If you need any stickers let me know and I’ll get them to you

Thanks for supporting Grayson – it’s something you won’t regret!!!!!

The post Donations Continue Supporting Grayson’s Dream first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Enjoy the read:

Academic Readiness Program

Governors discussed the league’s continuing focus on education, including the status of the newly implemented Academic Readiness Program.

• Academic Database has had over 2,000 views from college coaches since its inception
• BCHL alumni make up 47.4 per cent of all Ivy League hockey players (total of 74)
• 40 league alumni are currently captains or assistant captains at the NCAA Division I level

With the meeting coinciding with the BCHL Showcase, the league hosted Richard Wolfe and Shawn Burt from the Athlete Development Alliance at the event. 

Wolfe, in his role as the league’s academic consultant, was able to speak with college coaches and scouts about the Academic Readiness Program, receiving valuable feedback about the initiative.

“Since its inception in the summer, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the league’s new Academic Readiness Program,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker. “The number of views that our Academic Database has received in such a short time shows that we are providing second-to-none academic and competitive exposure for our athletes, putting them in the best position possible to succeed at the collegiate level when it comes time for them to make the jump.”

“BCHL athletes have been engrained in the college pathway for years and know the importance that academics plays, as well as the rigours involved in juggling hockey and grades. This will continue to be a priority for our league as we strive to make the BCHL the most efficient and accessible league for colleges”.

The BCHL is continuing to explore ways to evolve the program, including more resources to aid in recruitment, entry requirements to schools and ensuring athletes are thriving once they have graduated from the league.

Scorecard

Governors also discussed the league’s Standards Scorecard, which was introduced in 2021 and has continued to evolve since.

As part of the BCHL’s ongoing mission to raise standards across the league, both on and off the ice, the Board was provided with an update on where teams stand and what the benchmark will be going forward.

“Since it was first implemented, our committees have worked tirelessly to overhaul the scorecard process over the years and, as a result, we have seen significant pay off across the league,” said Rich Murphy, owner of the Trail Smoke Eaters and Chair of the BCHL Board of Governors. “Our owners are competitive and are doing everything they can to show that their programs are among the best in, not only the BCHL, but junior hockey as a whole. Our newest members from Alberta that have hit the ground running since joining our league in 2024 with a number of great facilities and improvements. We are excited to see even more progress and development in the coming years.”

Business Workshop

The 20 team owners and business leaders conducted a Business Workshop during the second half of the day with organizations leading seminars on a wide variety of topics, including merchandise, events, hockey programming, restaurants, ticketing, lotteries and hockey camps and schools.

League Growth

The Board passed a new Strategic Growth Plan that identifies calculated opportunities for the league to grow in the near future.

The objectives of the growth plan include:

• Strategic growth in markets that push forward the league’s mandate in delivering a first-class athlete and community experience
• Protecting the quality of the league’s product
• Ensuring league-wide financial stability
• Building sustainable value for current and potential future franchises
• Continuing to enforce the BCHL’s role as a development pathway for student athletes

The post BCHL October Governors Meeting first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

Returning home continues to be home ice motivation and given the support they receive they jumped out to an early lead in the second period against the Flames.

This game saw Richmond’s Quinn Orr get his third of the season after a scoreless first period managing to get set-up by Brody Lindal and Joshua Mytton.    

Knowing the pressure was on, it was David Yoon who finished a nice three way passing play at 6:12 that saw Dylan Nazareth and William Huo give them an early mid period 2-1 lead.

The Flames simply aren’t used to trailing in any game and you could sense that it wouldn’t be long before they got on the board getting their first at 7:48 on the power play making it a 2-1 contest.

The Sockeyes held the lead in the shot department after two periods by a narrow 25-21 and despite a strong start the Flames Manny Sandhu got his second of the game tying the game at two that put extra pressure on the Sockeyes.

The previous meeting September 30th saw the Flames not only outshoot the Sockeyes by 32-26 they also stole a 4-3 win  giving them their first loss of the season and that alone never sat well with the team.

With the time coming to an end and many pondering the game going to overtime, pressure was clearly on the Sockeyes that saw Quinn Orr get his second of the game, hammering a blistering shot from the point for the 3-2 win at 19:40.

To the frustration of the Flames they pulled out all stops only to come up short, unable to get the tying goal giving the Sockeyes to the delight of the fans in a contest that took 2:25 to play.

Richmond grabbed the games first two stars with the games first star to Quinn Orr,(2 G/0A) second star to David Yoon (1G/!A) with the games third to Flames Matthew Candusson who faced 56 shots stopping 53.

This season the Sockeyes welcomed a rare Saturday night game a short two nights later taking on the newly named Burnaby Steelers with a 5:45 pm start.

To no surprise they jumped out to another fast start with David Yoon (10th) opening the scoring at 10:19 with William Huo and Dylan Nazareth getting helpers that was the start of the first four.

Calgary’s Keelan Wyke got his second of the season and put the Sockeyes up by two with Brody Lindal and Teo Lin setting him up for a goal that was a long time coming with Dad in the stands watching.

We continue to mention shots on goal and this period was no different outshooting the Steelers by a 18-3 margin which everyone is getting used to.

The second saw Brody Lindal (3rd) at the three minute mark with Keelan Wyke and Jonathan Zhang working magic, setting him up for the 3-0 lead.

We are getting used to things coming in pairs for either a goal and an assist knowing that it was Dylan Nazareth getting his second point of the game with David Yoon and William Huo adding points to their total for a 4-0 lead.

With the second coming to a close the Steelers Trevor Chin put them on the board with the Sockeyes holding a 4-1 lead after forty minutes and holding onto a 25-10 lead in shots.

Richmond’s Kai Adano opened the scoring in the third at 1:15 with Lindal and Lin on the set up only to have the Steelers Ryan McCauley getting a power play goal making it a 5-2 Sockeyes lead.

Often goals can motivate and the Steelers previous goal gave the bench confidence allowing Amendo Sim get his first of the season pulling the visitors within two making it a 5-3.

The Steelers pressed only to have Calgary’s Carter Voll (5th) with assists to both Jonathan Zhang and Keelan Wyke giving them a 6-3 win.

To no surprise Keelan Wyke (1G/2A) was named first star, Dylan Nazareth (1G/1A) second star and Amadeo Sim (1G/1A) the games third star outshooting the visiting Steelers 48-20.

Next up saw the visiting Tsumani visit the “Fish Tank” who trail in the shot department with the Sockeyes holding first place with 22 points while  the visitors sitting forth in the standing with 14 points.

This game is extra special because the boys will be hitting the ice with pink stick tape in support of breast cancer awareness and we’ve all lost a loved one due to such a vicious disease still looking for a cure.

In conversation with some of the players they were thrilled  to support “Breast Cancer Awareness” and as a couple have mentioned “everyone has lost someone to cancer so giving our support to this is extra special.”

Sockeyes Beaudy Beaudin got the scoring started at 1:02 in after a long end to end rush set up by Captain Teo Lin followed by one from Carter Voll at 10:53 and one from Dylan Nazareth closing out the first with the 3-0 lead.

The second started with another strong performance scoring another three as Melbourne’s Brody Lindal managed a shorthanded marker set up from Teo lIn at 10:51 for their second of the period from David Yoon and a third from William Huo giving them a 6-0 lead after two  as well as outshooting the Tsunami by 22-4.

David Yoon and Dylan Nazareth each got their second of the game for an impressive 8-0 win outshooting the visitors 55-24.

Join the Sockeyer for Halloween in the Fish Tank and dress up in a Halloween Costume for free entry and check out the “kids Zone for fun activities and treats

The post Sockeyes Support Breast Cancer Awareness first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

When you finally get in touch with them after a while they just mention that they were busy, which is true, but being tardy isn’t an excuse when they are trying to promote amateur sports.

We recently received info from the BCHL regarding the league’s All-Star Weekend which is being held in Spruce Grove, Alta. at Thompson Family Arena Jan. 16 to 18, 2026 which is the home rink of the Spruce Grove Saints. 

The Saints joined the BCHL in 2024 and currently in their second full season that saw the new rink open September 19th and seats 1,665-seats with the team’s first regular season played in front of a packed house. 

 Commissioner Steven Cocker mentioned “The BCHL is excited to make our league-wide event debut in Alberta with this year’s All-Star Weekend in Spruce Grove,” 

He continued “We witnessed firsthand this state-of-the-art facility at the Saints’ home-opener and were immediately impressed by the facility and local support. We can’t wait to get out there in January and showcase the best the league has to offer.”

Saints owner Lindsey Leckelt mentioned “Being awarded the 2026 BCHL All-Star Weekend is a tremendous honor for the Spruce Grove Saints and the City of Spruce Grove,” 

Continuing on to mention “The Thompson Family Arena will provide a state-of-the-art experience for this showcase and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome players, families and fans from across the league.”

“This event is about more than hockey – it’s a celebration of our community’s spirit, hospitality and passion for the game. We’re proud to share this milestone with our supporters and look forward to creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

This is the fourth time the BCHL will host All-Star Weekend in recent years with last season’s event taking place in Salmon Arm, B.C.

For the second year in a row, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) will be part of the event, and this year, the Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) will also participate in the festivities.

“Since we debuted this event in 2022, it has become one of the most anticipated weekends on the BCHL calendar,” said Connor Ewert, Events Manager for the league. “This year, we are looking forward to introducing an exciting new format that will give the fans in Spruce Grove a unique and entertaining experience, while also keeping the foundation of what makes this event special.”

No doubt the game will be played in front of a packed house!!

The post BCHL All-Star Game In Spruce Grove first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The three day, three game tournament hit the ice in Richmond at the Minoru Arena the home of the Richmond Sockeyes who are one of sixteen teams in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

The free event features game one was set for Friday morning at 10 AM October 18th with the remaining pair scheduled for Saturday and Sunday both for a noon face-off. 

The tournament is a celebration for the growth of Para Sport across BC with two new teams named the Vancouver Jr Blind Hockey & the Victoria Blind Hockey Teams. 

The 2025 Western Regional Blind Hockey Tournament presented by the CNIB Foundation returns to Metro Vancouver with three games on tap with the first played in front of various schools in Richmond with two teams competing in a best-of-three series with players drafted from across Western Canada and Ontario. 

Canadian Blind Hockey’s Vancouver-based Executive Director Matt Morrow mentioned “Canadian Blind Hockey is thrilled to see so much momentum in BC with our new Vancouver Jr Blind Hockey Team entering its second season and our brand-new expansion program in Victoria which begins in late October,” 

He continued “This is a milestone event for us as it’s the fifth Western Regionals but the very first time we’ve had players representing all four provinces in Western Canada.

There are now eight Blind Hockey teams across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba which really shows the tremendous growth of Blind Hockey across the country”. 

During the event Canadian Blind Hockey will be hosting our Try Blind Hockey Field-Trip program for students from across the lower mainland to try the Para sport. 

The event also serves to officially launch the 2025 – 26 Canadian Blind Hockey program season with the first Vancouver Jr Blind Hockey Team practice and will include a very special major partnership announcement. 

2025 Western Regional Blind Hockey Tournament Schedule: 

Friday October 17 10:00am 10:15am 

Opening Ceremonies 10:00am 12:00pm 

Western Regionals Game #1 1:00pm 2:00pm Children and Youth Try Blind Hockey Session 

Saturday October 18 12:00pm 2:00pm Western Regionals 

Game #2 2:00pm 3:00pm Vancouver Jr Blind Hockey Team Practice 

Sunday October 19 12:00pm 2:00pm Western Regionals 

Game #3 Arena address: Minoru Arena, 

The Para sport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes who are blind or partially sighted with approximately 10% vision or less – using an adapted puck that is larger than a traditional puck and that makes noise. 

The hometown Vancouver Eclipse Blind Hockey Team is made up of players from across the lower-mainland and will be sending a dozen players from Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, New Westminster, and Abbotsford. 

Program Director Luca DeMontis “It’s important for Canadian Blind Hockey to continue hosting regional events in different communities to give local Blind Hockey players the chance to play at home and attract new players who may have never heard of Blind Hockey or didn’t realize they could still play hockey with low vision”. 

He continued “We hope the Metro Vancouver community will show up to cheer these players on and learn more about the Para sport and hopefully introduce the game to some potential new players.” 

In addition to the hosts, players have been drafted from a dozen teams including the Calgary Seeing Ice Dogs, the Central Alberta Bullseye, the Edmonton SeeHawks, the Camrose Canines, the Saskatoon Puck Bandits, and new yet to be named teams in Victoria, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Chicago. 

Canadian Blind Hockey programs are supported nationally by the CNIB Foundation, the Daniel Family Foundation, Electra Health, and Manion. 

Programs in BC are supported by the Vancouver Canucks and Canucks for Kids Fund. 

The Western Regional Blind Hockey Tournament was funded in part by a grant from viaSport BC and the Province of British Columbia, and is supported by community partners Richmond Sport Hosting and the Richmond Sockeyes. 

About Canadian Blind Hockey: 

Canadian Blind Hockey is a charity that changes the lives of children, and youth who are blind or partially sighted by providing Blind Hockey programming including: introductory try-it sessions, development camps, regional and national competitions, and by supporting the Canadian National Blind Hockey Team. 

Canadian Blind Hockey proudly operates 12 teams across Canada and hosts at least four major events annually including our flagship Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament which is set to return for its 12th year from March 20 to 22, 2026 at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto. 

From the Sportswave Team it was indeed a pleasure to work with the Canadian Blind Hockey and live streamed the event.

Continued Success in a sport that is gaining popularity and scoring points with the general  public.

The post 2025 Western Regional Blind Hockey Tournament first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

The following is the press release  and thanks to Christopher Séguin, Media Relations Manager

Enjoy the read:

As the National Hockey League (NHL) drops the puck on its 2025-26 season tonight, 402 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) graduates from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are featured on NHL Opening Night rosters — accounting for nearly 50% of all players in the league, once again the highest representation of any development league in the world.

By league, the group includes 187 OHL, 145 WHL, and 71 QMJHL alumni (see complete list by clicking this link), reinforcing the CHL’s position as the premier pipeline to the NHL. 

This season, 59 of the CHL’s 61 member clubs have at least one graduate on an NHL roster, led by 20 players who competed in the CHL just last year — a group highlighted by Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters / OHL), Sharks forward Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Predators forward Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds / OHL), Penguins forward Ben Kindel (Calgary Hitmen / WHL), and Canucks forward Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL). 

These five were among 21 CHL players selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, and each competed in the inaugural 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, held less than a year ago in London and Oshawa, Ont.

All 32 NHL clubs feature at least one CHL graduate on their Opening Night roster. The Washington Capitals lead all teams with 17, followed by the New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, and Vegas Golden Knights with 16 each, while the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets each boast 15.

With over 390 CHL alumni in the NHL for a sixth consecutive season, the CHL continues to be the top source of talent for the National Hockey League.

Stories To Follow:

• Heading into this new NHL season, 24 CHL alumni are looking to make their NHL debuts, including Penguins defenceman Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Sharks defenceman Sam Dickinson (London Knights / OHL), Flames forward Matvei Gridin (Shawinigan Cataractes / QMJHL), Kraken forward Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs / WHL), Red Wings forward Emmitt Finnie (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals / OHL), and Wild forward Hunter Haight (Saginaw Spirit / OHL)
• 11 CHL graduates are chasing their 1,000th NHL career game, including Oilers forward Adam Henrique (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Stars forward Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers / OHL), Flames forward Nazem Kadri (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Devils defenceman Brenden Dillon (Seattle Thunderbirds / WHL), Jets forward Nino Niederreiter (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels / WHL), Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL), Golden Knights forward Brandon Saad (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Wild defenceman Jared Spurgeon (Spokane Chiefs / WHL), Canucks forward Evander Kane (Vancouver Giants / WHL), and Minnesota Wild defenceman Zach Bogosian (Peterborough Petes / OHL).
• All four active NHL players who are within 50 points of reaching 1,000 career points are from the CHL: Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL), Panthers forward Brad Marchand (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL), Stars forward Jamie Benn (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL).
• Nine of the 11 active NHL players who are within 50 goals of reaching 400 career goals are from the CHL: Stars forward Jamie Benn (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Sharks forward Jeff Skinner (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Stars forward Matt Duchene (Brampton Battalion / OHL), Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL), Senators forward Claude Giroux (Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL), Oilers forward Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL), Stars forward Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers / OHL), and Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL).
• Entering the 2025-26 season with 925 consecutive NHL games, Colorado Avalanche defenceman Brent Burns (Brampton Battalion / OHL) could become only the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 straight games.
• Oilers forward Connor McDavid (Erie Otters / OHL) enters the 2025-26 season on the cusp of several historic milestones — needing just 18 points in 12 games to become the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,100 career points, while also aiming to become only the third player ever with nine 100-point seasons and the eighth to record six in a row.
• Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL) enters the season closing in on a major milestone — he can become the fourth-fastest active player to reach 400 career goals, and one of the 10 fastest players born outside North America to achieve the feat in NHL history.
• Needing just 38 assists to become the eighth player in NHL history to reach 1,100 career assists, Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) could achieve the milestone in the third-fewest games ever if he does so within the next 80 contests.
• Two-time reigning Art Ross winner Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL) enters 2025-26 just six points from 1,000. Another 80-assist campaign – his fourth in a row – would see Tampa Bay’s all-time assists leader join CHL alumnus Wayne Gretzky (Soo Greyhounds / OHL) as the only players ever to hit that mark in four consecutive seasons.
• The Florida Panthers begin their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup and a fourth consecutive Final appearance – a feat achieved by only three franchises in NHL history (most recently the Islanders from 1979–83).
• With 10 CHL alumni on their roster, the 2024-25 champions extended a dominant trend – the seventh straight season in which the Stanley Cup winner featured at least 10 CHL graduates.

News and Notes:

• Ben Kindel (Calgary Hitmen / WHL) and Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / WHL) are poised to become just the third pair of teenagers in Pittsburgh Penguins history to debut in the same game — and the first since CHL alumni Kris Letang (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL) and Jordan Staal (Peterborough Petes / OHL) did so 19 years ago.
• Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers / OHL) is set to play his first regular-season game in more than 1,300 days when Colorado faces Los Angeles, marking another major step in his comeback after returning to the lineup during the 2025 NHL Playoffs.
• Entering his 19th season as captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Océanic / QMJHL) matches CHL alumnus Steve Yzerman (Peterborough Petes, OHL / Detroit Red Wings) for the longest captaincy in NHL history, with both serving as team captain for 19 consecutive seasons.
• 22 of the NHL’s 32 head coaches either previously coached and/or played in the CHL, including five CHL alumni who have new coaching roles to start the 2025-26 season: Joel Quenneville (Anaheim Ducks), Glen Gulutzan (Dallas Stars), Rick Tocchet (Philadelphia Flyers), Lane Lambert (Seattle Kraken), and Adam Foote (Vancouver Canucks).
• Behind the bench and beyond: Over 200 CHL alumni are serving in coaching, hockey operations, or support staff roles across the NHL this season — with at least one CHL graduate represented on every one of the league’s 32 teams.
• Entering the 2025-26 season, 18 CHL alumni will wear the “C” for their NHL clubs — including Rangers forward J.T. Miller (Plymouth Whalers / OHL), the only newly named captain in the League heading into opening night.

The post CHL Graduates In Opening NHL Night Roster first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

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Jaw opened the scoring off the rush just past the halfway point of the first period, when Nagel went to the net and put home a rebound off Hood’s left pad.

Oreskovic then drew a penalty that led to a Halaburda power play goal less than two minutes later.

Lakovic scored on a breakaway 32 seconds after Halaburda tied the game, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead at the 12:49 mark of the first period.

Another Moose Jaw penalty a few minutes later resulted in another Giants power play goal, and yet again it was courtesy of Halaburda. 

His first was a shot from the bottom of the right circle that caught former teammate Matthew Hutchison off guard, but this time he slammed home a rebound after Cameron Schmidt drew all the attention to him before firing the puck on goal from the top of the left circle.

When the first period came to a close, the score was 2-2.

Oreskovic gave the Giants their first lead of the game 3:40 into the second period, after a great net drive from Aaron Obobaifo. 

Rookie Richard Wonyeneh picked up his first career WHL point with a secondary assist.

Late in the period, Chorney extended Vancouver’s lead to 4-2 after getting a stretch pass at the offensive blue line from Lin. 

Chorney had just enough for a partial break, and did well to protect the puck from the defenceman who caught him, before shovelling the puck past Hutchison along the ice.

Carter got the Warriors to within a goal with a power play marker midway through the third period, but that was as close as they’d come.

Tomik scored into the empty net with 11 seconds remaining to make the final score 5-3.

THEY SAID IT

“We’re very proud of the group. They battled through a lot last game. Obviously we felt like we deserved better there with the Swift Current game…We got off to a good start in the game and just stuck to it. 

We had a great second period, which has been our downfall to start the year, so it was awesome to see. A lot of guys stepped up and played like men.”  – Giants Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson

“Knowing the situation – being aware of what’s going on on the ice [was key]. I think everyone tonight was a student on the bench. Sometimes junior hockey players can get distracted, but they kept their focus on the game and everyone was ready to go right when they got on the ice.” – Giants Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson

“At the end of the day it’s stepping up and playing like a pro. I have to shout out Marek Howell. Led the way with [blocking shots] – ate some tough shots and that really got us by obviously. He really stepped up and it’s awesome for the group. Guys were so excited on the bench. It was great to see.” – Giants Assistant Coach Gaelan Patterson

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL POST-GAME INTERVIEW

STATISTICS

SOG: VAN —14/8/4 = 26 | MJ – 8/10/10 = 28
PP: VAN—2/5 | MJ — 1/4
Face-Offs: VAN — 31 | MJ — 32

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: WIN – Burke Hood (25 saves / 28 shots)
Moose Jaw: LOSS – Matthew Hutchison (21 saves / 25 shots )

UPCOMING

The Giants continue their East Division road trip on Tuesday night in Saskatoon, with puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. PDT against the Blades. 

The following night they face the Prince Albert Raiders at 6 p.m. PDT.

Vancouver finishes their road trip with games in Brandon and Regina next Friday and Saturday.

The post GIANTS BEAT WARRIORS 5-3 first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.

As one individual told me it was a situation that if it wasn’t figured out not only were the players pondering where they would play but it was making the league “second class” given the lack of updates on their site.

Communication is the key to success for any team and while they all rely on volunteers any news is good news for any sports organization or any organization in general.

So what happened and what would happen to the 24 players who were signed and how it would affect their career is where and when Chris McNally stepped up and got involved and from what we are hearing was a key player in getting this resolved after the PJHL and the 15 teams finalized a deal dating back to Sept. 17. 

Chris mentioned to some “It’s official and the Cloverdale team are finally back on the league schedule which is an extremely positive step for those kids.”

Any other resolve could have meant that there would be simply no way the team would have been reinstated as a unit if the kids hadn’t stuck together.

McNally mentioned “They deserve so much credit for keeping the faith and for not giving up on each other or the process and they had every reason to lose hope and the fact that they didn’t gave us something to keep fighting for. So the kids and their families deserve so much credit.”

The first regular season game is scheduled for the Cloverdale Jr. Hockey Club at “The Barn” or the old (still in use) Cloverdale Arena at 7 p.m. Sept. 18th as they host the visiting Mission City Outlaws.

The Cloverdale team franchise had been suspended by the League noting that the league issued a 4-sentence statement Sept. 9th about ending of club operations. 

It read as follows “Regrettably, the Cloverdale Hockey Club has not been able to satisfy necessary league bylaws in order to operate as a member club in good standing, and as a result is not eligible to participate in PJHL-sanctioned activities which lead to a court battle between 7 teams vs. the league’s other 8 teams including the league office.

McNally mentioned this resolution centred around all 15 teams working together to find a solution that benefited the kids. The matter was not resolved in court.

“Essentially, the league got together with the teams and worked through a bunch of things, but in the end, it was determined that we could find a way to have the team play and we agreed to set (the court case) aside so we could get into proper negotiations.”

No question that the decision came down to what was best for the kids and the league which had to eventually happen.

“It was only ever about these kids—getting these kids their chance to play,” he added.

McNally noted a lot of credit goes to the community of Cloverdale for supporting the team even when they hadn’t played a regular-season game. 

There is no question that the topic had it continued was a “black mark” on the league but you have to give credit to everyone on the outside gaining stronger as the days went on.

“If folks hadn’t started petitioning, if folks hadn’t started raising awareness, if folks didn’t care, then I don’t think we’re here today,” he explained. “If people had just sort of ignored it, because it didn’t matter to them, because it didn’t affect them, this wouldn’t have happened.”

He said the publicity that was raised was also integral to getting the kid back on the ice.

“It raised an awareness about the responsibility we have as a league to find a way to get it right,” McNally explained. “Had we not had the community support, I don’t know that the players would have felt they had hope. People were behind them. And had they not had that, then it really would have been hard for them to not go and sign with other teams or quit hockey or be frustrated with it and just not stick together.”

The game is back on the ice for all 16 member teams and moving forward maybe it’’ll be back to business as usual

The post Finally – Game On For Cloverdale!! first appeared on SportsWave Broadcasting.