Powell River Regals kick off the season with a pair of games versus University of Victoria Vikes of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL).
The games take place at 7:30 pm Friday, September 19, and 5 pm Saturday, September 20 at Hap Parker Arena.
After competing at the AAA level for the past two seasons, the local senior hockey club is focused on rebuilding the AA team to provide former minor hockey and junior players living in Powell River with an opportunity to play competitively. “We will be talking to some local boys who have travelled out of town for work or school too,” said general manager Tod English. “Bringing those players home for weekend games is our first option for filling out the roster.”
Rick McLaren and Andy Welsh return for another season as players and are also in charge of recruitment and coaching. Other roster players include Joe Calderone, Austin McLaren, Mitch Ball, Jordan Marciniak, Braedon Behan, Lucas Behan, Eric Albertson, Max Stewart, Curtis Csuk and Derek Jantz.
Regals’ last game at the AA level was a 6-4 semifinal loss to Williams Lake Stampeders at Coy Cup 2011 in Kitimat. Currently, 14 AA teams in BC are registered to compete for Coy Cup 2015.
A schedule including home games against Quesnel Kangaroos and defending Coy Cup champion Stampeders of the AA Central Interior Hockey League, Simon Fraser University and Trinity Western University of the BCIHL and independent AA club Fort Nelson Yetis is currently being finalized.
