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Two Former Spruce Kings Win BCHL Gold

Just days before trade deadline, Bryan Basilico and Jake LeBrun were sent to the West Kelowna Warriors. With the Spruce Kings trajected not to make the playoffs, it gave the two players in their final Junior years a chance to fight for a championship.

They did just that.

First it was a series win against divisional rival Salmon Arm. Then in the next round they faced the Penticton Vees who had only lost seven games all year. After going down two games to none, the Warriors roared back to win four straight games and defeat the team led by two potential NHL first rounders in Dante Fabbro and Tyson Jost, and the leagues leading scorer in Scott Conway. Basilico had a goal and an assist in the series while LeBrun had one helper.

In the BCHL round robin against the Chilliwack Chiefs and Nanaimo Clippers the team had a 3-3 record, but beat the Clippers in the deciding game for who would play the Chiefs in the finals.

That’s where both former Spruce Kings played arguably their best hockey, each recording four points. The most memorable came off the stick of Jake LeBrun in game four. Cycling in the offensive zone in overtime, the power forward was able to get his stick on a Garrett Forster point shot and tip it past Aidan Pelino for a 3-2 series lead.

“It was pretty surreal. Not sure how to describe it, but it’s definitely the biggest goal I’ve ever scored,” said Jake LeBrun.

Neither player would get on the board in game five, but in the game six series clincher Basilico had two helpers,while LeBrun assisted on the eventual game winning goal.

When asked on how winning the Fred Page Cup compared to past hockey moments? “Nothing even comes close,” said LeBrun.

The Spruce Kings would like to congratulate both players, as well as the entire West Kelowna Warriors organization on winning their first Fred Page Cup. The team will now travel to Estevan for the Western Canada Cup to take on the host Estevan Bruins (SJHL), Melfort Mustangs (SJHL), Brooks Bandits (AJHL), and Portage Terriers (MJHL) with the winner moving on to the RBC Cup.