The Prince George Spruce Kings are ready to move on from last season. Probably from March 1st they were ready, and the hockey operations have done everything to make sure there will not be a repeat of 2015/16.
The dressing room has been redone, the roster has received a facelift, and there will be new faces on the bench.
Talking with players returning from last year, there is a heightened sense of optimism, and it starts with their new cave. The stalls have been redone, a proper coaching office has been installed, the floor was ripped out and replaced, and much much more to improve the setting that the Spruce Kings call home.
Nine players remain from last year, and 12 new faces enter including four players that were affiliated players with the team. Returning to the team are Liam McCloskey, Adam Burnett, Cooper Prechel, Tanner Campbell, Parker Colley, Braiden Epp, Jarod Hovde, Kyle Johnson, and Cavin Tilsley. New are Stefan Wornig, Sam De Melo, Drew Lennon, Connor Russell, Liam Watson-Brawn, Mike Winn, Ethan de Jong, Chong Lee, Jamie Huber, Brett Mennear, Ben Poisson, and Travis Schneider.
Calgary Flames draft pick, and coming off coaching his team to a BC Provincial title is Ryan Howse who will slot in as the new Assistant coach. From the Cariboo Cougars come Rick Brown as well who will take over as the team trainer.
After some tough exhibition games last season, the Spruce Kings were magnificent this year going 3-0 with the trio of wins all coming at the expense of the Grande Prairie Storm. The first was a 6-5 in win Grande Prairie where PG had to battle to stay in the game all night, and didn’t take their first lead until halfway through the third. The second game was a 10-1 blowout at home, followed up by a tighter 4-3 win in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Entering the Quarry this weekend for the home opener will be the Merritt Centennials on Friday, and the Penticton Vees on Saturday. Both teams entering having gone undefeated as well in pre-season play. The Cents won four games and tied once while the Vees had five wins and one tie. Both teams come in with chips on their shoulders, as Merritt missed the playoffs last year, and Penticton was surpsingly bounced in the second round of the playoffs by eventual the RBC Cup Champions in the West Kelowna Warriors.
Both games will be streamed on FASTHockey and Mixlr for fans unable to attend.
