By now you have figured out that I have been invited to share my thoughts with you in a regular blog posting. You have also already noticed that I am a little delinquent in getting this first entry online. I'm not sure how to best respond to that, except to say that I am sorry for dragging my heels; after all, this is a great privilege that I have been given and I want to make sure that I have something worthwhile to blog about.
I want to make this blog interesting for fans of the great game of hockey, especially at the BCHL level – a level of hockey that I am proud to say I am starting my thirteenth season with. I have been a volunteer with the Spruce Kings for all of that time and for the two seasons prior when the team played in the Rocky Mountain Hockey League. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the organization that brought me in to be a backup public address announcer and now they can't seem to get rid of. I can truly say that if it weren't for the Prince George Spruce Kings, hockey would be just a game and not the passion that it has become for me.
If I have come to understand anything about the game of hockey is that it is as much about developing good citizens and ambassadors of the great Canadian game as it is about winning the actual game. It is about developing young hockey players and making sure they have the opportunity to take their hockey careers to the next level and beyond. I believe that the Spruce Kings and indeed the BCHL considers themselves a springboard and want to make sure that the players get a good liftoff while they are playing here. To get maximum height, there must be a solid foundation – a supporting cast of volunteers, staff, trainers, coaches and fans.
First and foremost, I consider myself a fan. A fan of all players that wear their hearts on their sleeves and leave it all behind on a sheet of ice. I want to see all players play to their full potential and be given the chance to move on.
At this time of the year, the BCHL is ripe with young energetic talent just looking for a chance to make a name for themselves; and through training camps, the pre-season and the opening weekend, some have already succeeded to do just that. Looking at the handful of players that I have already been able to witness on a BCHL sheet of ice, I have to say that I am quite happy with the team I follow. Newcomers to the BCHL and Junior A hockey level with the Spruce Kings this year include Michael Nardi, Tyson Hall, RJay Berra, Nick DeSousa, Joe Becker, Justin Fillion, Geoff Morgan and Brad Anderson.
The lead horse in the early stages of the race of unknowns is Michael Nardi. Here is a young hockey player that was handpicked by the team's general manager while playing in the Triple A Provincial Championships. Nardi was invited to Prince George for a Spring Camp and it was then that a few others in the hockey circles up north started noticing the eighteen year old. During the exhibition games, and especially during the opening weekend, the fans picked up quickly on his stick handling and skating abilities. Nardi himself has already shown that he won't shy away from a hit or making a hit to make himself the quote-unquote total package.
Tyson Hall is another player that has surprised many with his abilities and quickly endeared himself to the fans of Prince George when he picked up a Gordie Howe hat trick in the first 24 minutes of his first pre-season game with the Spruce Kings. RJay Berra, Nick DeSousa and Justin Fillion were all members of the Cariboo Cougars program that won the Provincial Major Midget Championship last season. The three are showing that they can make the transition into the faster and harder hitting game at the Junior A level.
That leaves just three new names including a former teammate of Jordy Christian in Moorhead, Minnesota. Joe Becker heard so many good things about the British Columbia Hockey League that he decided to follow in his friend's footsteps and come out to Prince George. Geoff Morgan is the twin brother of returning forward, Joe Morgan; Geoff is more of a stay at home defenceman that provides good support for a rushing defensive partner. Brad Anderson was a bantam draft pick of the Prince George Cougars that played goal with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific International Hockey League last year earning MVP honours. Anderson is a big goaltender at 6'4″ and has the ability to keep his shoulder level with the crossbar when he is crouching or dropping to his knees.
Other newcomers with the Spruce Kings this year include Adam Baldassarre, Alex Allan, Sean Ambrosie and Jordan Simpson; all have Junior A experience elsewhere. Arguably the fan favourite, Jordan Simpson played goal for the Williams Lake Timberwolves two seasons ago but came to the Spruce Kings as a twenty year old forward. Baldassarre played with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, while Alex Allan came over from the Olds Grizzlies of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and Sean Ambrosie from the Winnipeg South Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Not afraid to drop the gloves if invited to the dance, Simpson scored his first ever goal at the Junior A level on the opening weekend and it held up as the eventual game winner. Baldassarre showed his versatility on the opening weekend moving from his role up front to a position on the blue line. Ambrosie used his long reach to help set up a pair of goals and picked up his first as well. Allan, a committed player for the 2009-10 season with the University of Alabama-Huntsville, scored the first goal and the first game winner of the season for the Spruce Kings.
Sam Muchalla is probably the player that the most eyes will be on this year after spending much of last season on a line with Interior Division Rookie of the Year, Jordy Christian. Muchalla will be looking to show critics and opponents that he is an elite player in this league and is already well on his way. Zach Davies is the longest serving vet with the Spruce Kings and will wear the 'C' this season in his final year of junior eligibility. Kevin Genoe is another returning player that is showing off the benefits of a disciplined off-season training program and came looking to provide leadership by example.
Unfortunately I haven't been given the opportunity to see all the teams in the Interior Division as of yet, but will have my fair share as the Spruce Kings will play 52 games against Interior Division teams this year. I will not go so far as to make any predictions on where teams will place in the standings; afterall that is why they play the games. Instead I will ask you the hockey fan to go out there and cheer on the youthful enthusiasm and raw talent of players who have dreams and aspirations of making a name for themselves and moving on to the next level.
Ron Gallo, the voice of the Prince George Spruce Kings, will be blogging the Interior Conference during the 2008/09 season. Check back often for Ron's insights into the latest news from the BCHL's Okanagan and Northern-based teams.
