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Photo credit: Island Images
Story by Alessio Cusano
North Vancouver-born Luca Primerano has now played three seasons in the BCHL, two for the Prince George Spruce Kings and most recently one with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Prior to his days in the BCHL, he started his youth career in Burnaby, B.C.
Having started skating at the age of three, Primerano quickly realized that he loved to play hockey and it was what he wanted to do with his life.
He started his youth career playing for Burnaby Winter Club (BWC), where he had some of the best times of his life.
“You go to school with your team, practice with them, and you just spend your high school with them,” he said.
Him and his teammates won a championship in his final year, something he says he will never forget. Primerano added that BWC not only made him a better hockey player, but a better person as well, and spoke highly of how professional the club is.
While he was gaining traction and moving up the ranks, so was his younger sister Chloe. After also playing part of her youth hockey at BWC, she found herself on the radar for Canada’s international women’s team and even recently captained them at this year’s under-18 tournament.
She also just wrapped up her freshman season at the University of Minnesota and, just last week, was a part of Canada’s team that won silver at the World Championships.
“Seeing Chloe go into Minnesota and thrive was awesome,” said Luca. “I’m super proud of her. When she got to wear the Canadian jersey for the national team, it was so deserved. We train all summer together and have watched each other grow. She’s the hardest worker I know.”
For Luca, when it came time to make the jump to the BCHL in 2022, it took some adjusting to a more physical game, but he eventually learned to use his ability to protect pucks and to match the speed of his counterparts.
After his two years in Prince George, where he totaled 48 points in 94 games, Primerano was acquired by Cowichan Valley at the start of this season. Although it was tough for him to leave his Spruce Kings teammates, he received a warm welcome with the Capitals.
“It’s been nothing but great,” he said. “The team here is unreal, and so is the coaching staff, the fans, just the organization as a whole. It’s like nothing I’ve seen so far, just the support we get from everyone. Having three coaches with NHL experience is not something you get every day, so I’ve loved it here in Cowichan.”
This past season, Primerano set a new career high in points with 50 points, smashing his previous high of 26, along with 23 goals and 27 assists, which were also career bests for him.
According to him, he has not done anything different this year, but he has gained more confidence and belief in himself, praising head coach Cam Keith who believed in him to go out on the ice and perform.
As the playoffs continue, Primerano has totaled four goals and two assists through seven games so far.
The Caps find themselves down 2-0 to the Victoria Grizzlies in Round, looking to bounce back on the road on Tuesday in Game 3.
“I think our team’s done a great job of elevating our game at the right time,” he said, “We have a group who’s bought into the bigger goals, so we’re all just focused on that.”
