Presented by Chevrolet
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Photo credit: Christina Jean Photography
Story by Matt Lawson
For Port Moody, B.C. product Luke Pfoh, a change of scenery midseason appears to be the jump start his season needed.
Pfoh, who played the first two-plus years of his BCHL career with the Cranbrook Bucks, was traded to the Cents on Jan. 9 and the 2005-born forward has taken off ever since, piling up 12 points in his first 13 games with his new club.
Growing up in Port Moody, Pfoh’s childhood revolved around hockey and he cherished his time with his older brother Brett, who also played in the BCHL.
“I played hockey my whole life,” said Pfoh, “Growing up, my brother and my dad were hockey players as well. Hockey was always the main priority going on.”
Prior to skating in the BCHL, he laced up for both the Vancouver North East Chiefs and the Burnaby Winter Club – two organizations that he says were instrumental for his development.
“I loved my time at both those organizations,” said Pfoh. “They are super organized and super locked in. Everybody’s taking part and it was fun to be there.”
“You just learn about the little things, you know, accountability, being on time, being prepared, managing your body, rest, hydration, all that type of stuff. The school and the hockey combination – It makes you so much more prepared and dialed in for things and you feel like you’re on top of your game.”
Coming into the BCHL as a 16-year-old with the Bucks to start the 2021-22 campaign, Pfoh was thankful for how welcoming the team was, especially the older players on the team.
“They treated me really well there,” he said. “I went in as a 16-year-old, not really sure how I was going to pan out, but they took me under their wing. My first year, lucky enough, I was with a billet brother [Jarrod Smith]. He helped me out. He was an older guy in his second year there.”
“I really probably wouldn’t be where I am without Jarrod and a bunch of those older guys in the room just showing me the ropes. I went in as an immature kid for sure. They definitely set me straight and I’m happy they did because I’m kind of doing that now with the younger guys on the Cents.”
The veterans of the Bucks established a culture in the room that Pfoh says he tries to replicate with the Centennials as he continues his third season in the league.
“Everybody always had a smile on their face,” explained Pfoh. “I feel like that gets lost sometimes when you’re chasing wins. I just try to be that spark in the room and share a smile, talk to somebody, talk to anyone around the rink, honestly. If anybody needs anything, I’ll be there to talk to them.”
Pfoh said being traded to the Centennials was a shock, but the team really helped make that transition easier.
“Once I arrived at Merritt, they were top tier right away,” he said. “They met me right away and showed me the arena and introduced me to everyone. It was funny, I played my first game the day I got there, so they really didn’t put pressure on me at all.”
As previously mentioned, Pfoh has found a new gear offensively since joining the Centennials. He started the year with 14 points in 34 games in Cranbrook, but has 12 points in 13 games as a Cent.
“[Head coach Brian Passmore] lets me do my thing and I’m also playing with two really good players right now with Jack Ziliotto and Dylan Lariviere,” he said. “They know where to find me and I know where to find them and we’re gelling together well right now.”
Pfoh’s older brother Brett is currently in his sophomore season at Bowling Green State University. When the younger Pfoh brother stepped into the league back in 2021, he made it his goal to one day join him. So, when he signed his own commitment to the same school in December of 2022, it was an incredible moment for his family.
“It was crazy,” he explained. “My brother committed there pretty early. Since that happened, it was always my goal to get there and play with him one day. I had a pretty good rookie season with the Bucks and they noticed me and it kind of all worked out. As soon as they gave me the option, it was 100 per cent ‘go with it.’ My parents were even happier than me and my brother about it. We’ve been doing this hockey thing together our whole lives now. It’s going to be awesome to be there with him.”
With that being said, Pfoh says he’s still focused on finishing this season strong before the playoffs with the Centennials who are winners of four straight and will be making their first appearance in the BCHL postseason since the 2018-19 campaign.
“That’s something we’ve been talking about a lot recently,” he said. “Just kind of finding a streak here before playoffs and going into it with that hot hand and wanting teams to be fearful of us on the ice. We just want to keep this going.”
Pfoh says he wants to continue to lead by example and do whatever it takes to keep earning his team wins down the stretch.
“I just want to keep on contributing and scoring when the team needs a goal, blocking a shot when it’s needed or just do anything I can to get the boys going,” he said. “I want to keep on winning these games. That’s what’s important right now.”
Pfoh and the Cents will look to finish the 2023-24 regular season strong with just 10 games remaining and, as everyone know, anything can happen in the playoffs if a team gets hot.
