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Youth highlight lineup for Powell River Regals

Senior hockey team rebuilds with local talent; hosts Rossland this weekend
Powell River Regals forward Joe Calderone
Powell River Regals forward Joe Calderone sets up inside the opposition blueline during a playoff game versus Whitehorse Huskies in 2016. Calderone and his new teammates play their first home game of the 2019/2020 season on Friday, November 29, at Hap Parker Arena. Rossland Warriors provide the opposition. Whitehorse Daily Star photo

Senior hockey action returns to Hap Parker Arena on Friday, November 29, and Saturday, November 30, as Powell River Regals host Rossland Warriors.

The team’s roster is made up of players from Powell River, including 16-year veteran Joe Calderone, several players with a few years of experience, and 11 rookies.

“It’s nice to see the buy-in from 15 to 20 young, hometown guys who still want to play competitive hockey,” said Brady Casparie. “This will be my fifth year with the Regals and I still get that rush walking into the room. It’s not the name on the back but the crest on your chest.”

Casparie said he remembers watching the team go on some great runs when he was growing up, and now wears the same number his father wore with the team in the 1980s and 1990s. 

“Not every kid gets to wear the same jersey their old man wore, so that’s a pretty great feeling,” he added. “Even though we are a younger team, I believe our squad has the dedication to build a solid Regal foundation again.”

In addition to preparing for the upcoming games against Rossland, coach Tod English said the organization is looking forward to hosting Vancouver Island University on Saturday, December 7, and two games against Kelowna on December 14 and 15.

“We are excited about being able to host teams again in Powell River,” said English. “The goal will be to build on these three weekends in a row going into Christmas break, which allows the team to work on special teams and also measures what they are up against for provincial playdowns.

English added that the players are looking forward to playing in front of friends and family this weekend, but also redeeming themselves and bouncing back from two recent losses in Rossland.

Both games start at 7:15 pm.

In the new year, Regals, Rossland, Kelowna and Dawson Creek will playoff for two spots in the four-team Coy Cup 2020 provincial championship tournament, which is scheduled for late March in Quesnel.