The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are the leaders of the pack in the British Columbia Hockey League, which is more tightly bunched than it has been in many years.
Salmon Arm is first in the Interior Conference, and overall, with a 33-12-1 record. It is an impressive accomplishment in Salmon Arm’s third season in the 17-team league.
“We’re just getting started here,” said Salmon Arm part owner/general manager Garry Davidson. “We wanted to put a top-notch organization together and have success year after year.”
Salmon Arm has achieved its goal with an excellent foundation and plan. The Silverbacks have an exceptional blend on their roster, including three players rated by the National Hockey League’s central scouting service.
Centre Travis Zajac, 18, of Salmon Arm is listed 20th by central scouting, among North American forwards and defencemen. He is the highest rated player in the Canadian Junior `A’ Hockey League.
“Travis started in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League as a 16-year-old,” said Davidson. “He came here as a 17-year-old (in 2002-03).
“It’s exciting to see his progress. He’s certainly among the three or four best players in the league.
“He’s a terrific defensive player, too, and among the best in the league. He’s very responsible and well rounded.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Zajac is third in the league with 85 points in 45 games. He is fourth in the league with 39 goals.
Teammate Kris Chucko is listed 61st among North Americans. Salmon Arm defenceman Craig Switzer, 19, is rated 127th.
“We gave Kris the C, at 17,” said Davidson, stressing the leadership qualities he and coach Rylan Ferster recognized in left winger Chucko before naming him the captain.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Chucko is second among Silverbacks with 61 points, including 39 assists, in 40 games. Nine other teammates have 10 or more goals, including two, Jason Miller and Ryan McLeod, with 21 or more goals.
“Our group of forwards has done a great job,” said Davidson. “We have good balance up front.”
Goalies Steve Christie and Patrick LePage have also contributed to the success.
Christie, 19, has a .902 saves percentge in 795 minutes. LePage, 20, has a .901 saves percentage and league-leading 24-6-1 won-lost-tied record in 1,963 minutes.
“We’re very pleased with our goaltending,” said Davidson. “They have been pretty consistent. We have upgraded in that area.”
The defending champion Vernon Vipers are two points behind Salmon Arm within the conference and tied for third overall. Vernon is 29-13-0 and has seven overtime losses, for 65 points in 49 games.
The Nanaimo Clippers, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Surrey Eagles and Chilliwack Chiefs also have 60-plus points. The Coquitlam Express is next with 56 points, 11 points behind Salmon Arm in seventh place overall.
Nanaimo leads the Island Division of the Coastal Conference and is second overall, at 30-12-2 and four overtime losses, for 66 points in 48 games. Cowichan Valley is second in the division and tied with Vernon overall, with a 28-10-4 record and five overtime losses in 47 games.
Surrey is first in the Mainland Division of the Coastal Conference and fifth overall, three points behind Salmon Arm, at 29-15-1 and five overtime losses in 50 games. Chilliwack is 28-17-0 and has four overtime losses, for 60 points in 49 games.
“There are eight pretty good teams that have a shot at it,” said Davidson, assessing the balance within the league.
“We would really like to maintain first place overall and keep home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.”
Zajac, Chucko, McLeod, defencemen Jay Birnie, Travis Ramsey and Jaye Judd are among the team’s leaders.
“McLeod leads by example,” said Davidson. “He is one of the most tenacious players in the league.
“He plays with a lot of drive and determination. He is an energy, emotion type player. His style is infectious on everybody.”
Davidson realizes that the stretch run and playoffs will be exciting because of the outstanding competition.
The objective is a berth in the Doyle Cup, for the Alberta-B. C. junior A championship and, ultimately, the Royal Bank Cup national championship May 8-16 in Grande Prairie, Alta.
Please check the CJAHL web site at www.cjahl.com
for all your Canadian junior A information
