The BCHL All Star teams have been named for the game that is just over a month away and I have to say that there are some surprises as there always are in the two rosters. That said though it should be noted that these teams are made up by a few basic rules and non-partisan voting by the teams in each conference.
For me the annual All-Star game is a reason to celebrate and recognize talent throughout the BCHL and of course spotlight the achievements of key players through the first half of the season. No less than 21 of the current top 25 players in the BCHL scoring race are on the All-Star rosters, including all of the top 14 guys.
The defence is made up of strong offensively minded blueliners and that makes sense with the All-Star game known more for its goal scoring rather than its defence. Of course that comes much to the chagrin of the goaltenders selected to minimize the shooting accuracy of their opponents. As usual the rosters are made up of three goaltenders each, making for a roster of 21 players.
Picking 42 players out of a league that has close to 350 players, leaves players with a little better than a 1 in 10 chance that they will get selected to the big game. That is where the magic lies, where the congratulations need to be handed out and why these players swell with pride when they hear their name called out.
Each of these players deserves to be on this list and, for a vast majority of them, this is their first time playing in the league's All-Star game. Not everyone can go and not everyone will, so take a moment over the next month and a bit to congratulate these players on their personal achievements that have allowed them to be selected to the All Star Game.
Sure there is going to be discussions about why some players have been left off and why was this one on the list and not this one. But you know what, that just goes to show you the depth of talent in the BCHL.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the BCHL is turning out an increasing number of competitive players with high skill levels. This seemingly over-abundance of talent is in no small part a direct reflection of the fan's demand for a winning product and the team's desire to meet and exceed those expectations.
So again enjoy the talent level that exists in your BCHL arena and celebrate it. I'll see you at the BCHL All-Star Game on January 14th in Vernon, BC.
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.
