The New Kings: Parker Colley

     Not all blossoming hockey players have someone with personal expereince to turn to. That's the case for Parker Colley though, as his brother Boston has two years of Junior B experience to pass on. 

Parker Colley, pictured left, with his brother Boston

     Parker said in an interview that his brother has a big influence on his game, and has also helped him prepare for this season in junior hockey. Last season, Parker led the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs in scoring with 64 points in just 40 games which placed him third overall in BC Major Midget League scoring.  Then in a single game with his hometown Ridge Meadows Flames, Parker managed to pickup an assist.

     Here is a little more to know about Parker, with his life both on, and off the ice.

What are you most looking forward to this season with the Spruce Kings?

"I'm most looking forward to the home games because of what I've heard about the fans, and how loud they get for the team"

What do you think you'll bring to the team this season?

"I think what I bring best to the team is my speed, and my vision to be able to make good and smart plays."

Have you set any goals for this season?

"My goal this season is to go far in the playoffs and to hopefully put up good numbers and just learn about the league and how it works."

Favourite music/song?

Favourite music: country; favourite song: Homegrown - Zach brown band

Who's your favourite NHL team?

"The Pittsburgh penguins because of all the skill they have and they are fun to watch."

How are you looking forward to all the bus rides that playing for Prince George entails?

"Bus rides should be fun because those are the times when you get to be with the boys and bond with them."

What do you think of newly named captain Jake LeBrun?

"Jake has been good you can tell that he is a good leader and will help the team out a lot this year."

What's the biggest difference you've noticed so far in the BCHL?

"The pace of everybody on the ice is a lot faster and the guys are bigger and more skilled."

Favourite hockey memory?

"Favourite hockey memory winning the provincial championship last year with the north east chiefs."

Outside of hockey, what have you been up to this summer?

"Mostly just golfing in the offseason."

Returning Faces: Cole McCaskill

After two injury riddled starts, Cole McCaskill is ready to start this season off healthy (knock on wood). The defenseman was a star for the Spruce Kings last year after coming over in a January trade. In just 22 games, he scored 17 points which nearly beat his previous high of 19 points in more than double 47 games. McCaskill is excited to start this year off right, with what should be a very tough defensive core with several key members returning from last year, and the additions of Adam Brubacher, and Stephen Penner.

In a recent interview, Cole talked over the phone about this coming season, and the experience of winning Game Six against Langley last year.

What are your plans for the off-season? 

There’s always training, hockey is a year round business, so training almost every day. There’s lot of beautiful golf courses up here in Kamloops, so lots of golf, and keeping busy swinging the clubs. There’s a couple lakes nearby, so I’ll heading out there.

What do you expect from yourself this year? 

I’d like to keep up that high scoring play, and also really be a leader this year, and help grow the young guys into good defencemen. Hopefully it turns into a winning hockey team that goes far into the playoffs.

How do you like the new additions of Brubacher and Penner? 

I think we’re going to be a much older, defensive minded, and strong defense core. There are lots of guys with games under their belts. Last year we had lots of injuries, [Ryan] Fritz was injured, he couldn’t play as much, and I think it started to really hurt us. We were rolling four defensemen some games, so I think having a big defense core like that, with lots of guys wanting ice time will be huge. 

Favourite NHL Team? 

The Pittsburgh Penguins. 

What are your thoughts on the Kessel trade? 

I’m pretty happy for there to be a goal scorer to play with Crosby, he needs that.

How do you think the playoff experience from last year will help the team?

I think it’s going to be good because obviously it’s our goal to win a championship, the Fred Page Cup, and represent the BCHL out at the Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup. Having some playoff experience, and winning a series, and it was a tough against Langley so all the guys who played, and were a part of that are going to be huge in the playoffs coming up, and I think that experience is going to pay off for us.

What was your highlight of last year? 

Game six against Langley was a pretty special moment. Being successful against those guys and sending them home for the year felt pretty good.

What have you heard about your new coach? 

He’s actually from Kamloops too, so he’s spent a little bit of time here in the summer. We’ve met up a lot, and I think we’re both really excited to get back to PG this year and get this team rollin. I think he especially wants get ready early right out of camp, and just start playing.

Spruce King Touches the Stanley Cup

Well I'm sure there are a number of people happy that the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup on Friday night and I am one of them. Yeah there are the usual reasons for picking a team and cheering for them, but here is another one that every Spruce Kings fan should be proud of. With Mario Lemieux being interviewd on the ice, the CBC cameras found former Spruce Kings netminder Brad Thiessen hoisting the Cup after receiving it from Sidney Crosby.

I knew from talking with Brad that after his season with Northeastern ended and he signed with the Pittsburg Penguins that he went on to be a member of the black aces with the team. He participated in practices and traveled with the team all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. At the end of the game there were a number of players on the ice that won't see their names etched onto the holy grail of hockey and Brad Thiessen was one of them. What Brad does get is to sip champagne from the cup and know what a team has to go through to win the big prize in hockey.

Following that thrilling game seven final, I had a quick opportunity to speak with Ed Dempsey who has always been one of Thiessen's biggest supporters and followers. The pride in Ed's voice was unmistakable when he explained to me that this is why he coaches - to see those players that he had an opportunity to work with go on to bigger and better things. They don't come much bigger than this and the smile on Thiessen's face said it all.



Congratulations to Brad Thiessen ... oh and of course the entire Pittsburgh Penguins organization. There is no better game than the great Canadian game and for the Spruce Kings there is no bigger thrill then seeing one of their own hoist the Stanley Cup.