written by Evelyn Oosterhoff
Nestled between the Hudson Bay Mountain and the Babine Mountain range, in the beautiful Bulkley Valley, is the community of Smithers, population of approximately 6000. Smithers is a great place to visit if you are interested in fishing, hunting, skiing (downhill or cross-country), hiking or just relax and wandering down the Bavarian-style Main Street. It is also a hockey town, and I mean big time hockey town!
The arena has been a hub of activity every winter for a very long time, with all ages enjoying hockey games, either as part of a team or as a spectator! The Smithers Civic Centre was originally constructed as an airplane hangar in Terrace, B.C. in 1943. It was purchased by a community group from Smithers in 1954, and underwent some changes and upgrades to make it a viable arena. The most recent update to the arena is a new scoreclock. That took place just this year. I am sure that it is a welcome addition to the arena. The seating in the arena may have changed since the last time I was in there, but I'm told it still has seating for well over 500 people. People who have watched the likes of last year's captain - Zach Davies and current NHLer - Dan Hamhuis and many others develop and hone their amazing hockey skills! Hammy spent countless hours working on those defensive skills that gave him a ticket into the NHL.
I am so happy knowing I am going to be one of the spectators in attendance on September 2nd as our Prince George Spruce Kings challenge their Hwy 97 South rivals, the Quesnel Millionaires in the second half of a preseason home-and-home series. It will be the Millionaires that will be given the title of home team for this night in the town located four hours west of Prince George on Hwy 16. That's right! Smithers is the fortunate town to host this exciting matchup between the two teams who know each other very well and sometimes it is proven by the number of players in the penalty box, to the delight of some fans and the chagrin of others. All that aside, this is going to be a great time for all who attend and there will be a lot of talk about in the coffee shops (like Schimmels and Tim Hortons) and in offices about this game and who is going to win! I am also sure that there will be a lot of talk for days afterwards too.
If you would like to attend this matchup in downtown Smithers make sure you gas up your vehicle, put on some good music and enjoy the scenic 370 km drive down Hwy 16. Once you arrive in Smithers just drive through the town until you get to Manitoba Street on your left side (if you look to the right you will see A&W). Turn left on Manitoba Street and then turn right on 3rd Avenue and you will see the arena to your right. Park the truck, get the noisemakers out, head inside and be ready to cheer on our Spruce Kings.
I am excited to see the guys on the ice again for another season! Here's to another fun and entertaining year of hockey. See you in the arena! We have a seat for YOU in the Coliseum!
Evelyn (Host Services and loyal Spruce Kings fan)
This blog was written by Evelyn Oosterhoff, a member of the Spruce Kings volunteer team and a self proclaimed loyal Spruce Kings fan. If you would be interested in having your thoughts posted on the Spruce Kings blog site, be sure to send me an email or just post a comment to this posting and I will help you get yours posted here too - Ron.
Showing posts with label exhibition schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exhibition schedule. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Intra Squad Game
Over the past week or so I have fielded a few calls down at the Spruce Kings office asking when main camp is, when and where are the exhibition games as well as a few other scheduling type questions. Obviously there is a feeling that summer has come to an end or at least is quickly on its way out and it is time to start thinking about hockey. The Spruce Kings have been making news over the summer and the stories worth mentioning are escalating, but I just want to give you some dates and times and - in at least one circumstance - a location to help you make the transition from summer.
First of all, look who's back in town ... Joe Morgan, Tyson Hall and Nick DeSousa are already here as is Sam Muchalla and RJay Berra who is back from the Lower Mainland. I spoke with Wes McLeod today who let me know that he will be in Sunday afternoon and Colten Derickson is thinking he will arrive Monday afternoon. The rest of the players will be in town in the first few days of this last full week of August.
As for action on the ice, the players are going to start skating at the Coliseum on Tuesday; although, many of them have had ice whether it be at the Elks Centre and the Coliseum for the local boys or other rinks around the province for those out-of-towners. The ice times will be fairly free flowing with the players themselves pushing each other to be ready for Friday and the start of the team's main camp.
Registration for the main camp begins at noon with the players being assigned to one of four teams. The first two teams will hit the ice for a controlled practice headed up by Ed Dempsey at 2:00 and the rest will run through their drills beginning around 4. In a round-robin style format, there will be scrimmages throughout the weekend beginning with the first two teams meeting at 6:00 Friday night.
Saturday will feature a pair of scrimmages in the morning with the first one at 9:00am and two more in the evening beginning at 6:30pm. In the afternoon all players will go through an intense fitness testing with the team's official trainers from X-Conditioning. The fitness testing will be tough and will include sprinting, the beep test, pro agility test and other strength tests.
Now Sunday might be a day you want to mark down as it will feature the annual Intra Squad Game or Blue and White Game. The day will start with the final two scrimmages of the main camp followed by the Intra Squad Game that gets started at 3:00pm at the Coliseum. This will be a full game with 20 minute periods, floods and all the bells and whistles that you would expect at a regular season game. Admission will be cheap, it's not confirmed yet but it is expected to be just a toonie.
That will then lead into the start of the pre season and the Spruce Kings first test as a team when they play host to the Quesnel Millionaires on Tuesday night at 7:00pm in the Prince George Coliseum. The second game of the exhibition schedule will be played on Wednesday night as the back half of a home-at-home series with the Millionaires in the Smithers Civic Centre. Smithers has been abuzz with the rumours of this event for about a month, but it was only just made official last week and I'm told that more than half the tickets have already been sold.
After a day off, the Spruce Kings will be back at it on Friday night with the three hour bus ride to Williams Lake to welcome the Timberwolves back into the BCHL. After going dark for two seasons, the Cariboo Community Complex will once again be lit up for a Junior 'A' hockey game. The drop of the puck on Friday night in Williams Lake is scheduled for 7:00pm and then the two teams will travel back to Prince George and the final game of the preseason on Saturday night, 7:00pm in the Coliseum.
The following week marks the unofficial end of summer with Labour Day and the return to school, it will also be the first full week of practice for the Spruce Kings in preparation for their first regular season game. The Spruce Kings will open their 14th season in the BCHL at home with a game against the Westside Warriors on Friday September 11th and then Saturday night the Penticton Vees will be in the Castle to meet the royal ones.
It is pretty exciting stuff and the great news is that the ticket prices haven't increased from last year and, in some cases, ticket prices have gone down with the different ticket packages available. One in particular that has come back this year and will provide great value for a family of four is the Family Pack that features game tickets, popcorn and pop for all four people for a cost of $35 ... that's not even $9 a person!
Okay well there you have the schedule of events for the next couple of weeks ... if you would like more, the full schedule is posted on the Spruce Kings website ... or you can CLICK HERE for a printable version (you will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader).
First of all, look who's back in town ... Joe Morgan, Tyson Hall and Nick DeSousa are already here as is Sam Muchalla and RJay Berra who is back from the Lower Mainland. I spoke with Wes McLeod today who let me know that he will be in Sunday afternoon and Colten Derickson is thinking he will arrive Monday afternoon. The rest of the players will be in town in the first few days of this last full week of August.
As for action on the ice, the players are going to start skating at the Coliseum on Tuesday; although, many of them have had ice whether it be at the Elks Centre and the Coliseum for the local boys or other rinks around the province for those out-of-towners. The ice times will be fairly free flowing with the players themselves pushing each other to be ready for Friday and the start of the team's main camp.
Registration for the main camp begins at noon with the players being assigned to one of four teams. The first two teams will hit the ice for a controlled practice headed up by Ed Dempsey at 2:00 and the rest will run through their drills beginning around 4. In a round-robin style format, there will be scrimmages throughout the weekend beginning with the first two teams meeting at 6:00 Friday night.
Saturday will feature a pair of scrimmages in the morning with the first one at 9:00am and two more in the evening beginning at 6:30pm. In the afternoon all players will go through an intense fitness testing with the team's official trainers from X-Conditioning. The fitness testing will be tough and will include sprinting, the beep test, pro agility test and other strength tests.
Now Sunday might be a day you want to mark down as it will feature the annual Intra Squad Game or Blue and White Game. The day will start with the final two scrimmages of the main camp followed by the Intra Squad Game that gets started at 3:00pm at the Coliseum. This will be a full game with 20 minute periods, floods and all the bells and whistles that you would expect at a regular season game. Admission will be cheap, it's not confirmed yet but it is expected to be just a toonie.
That will then lead into the start of the pre season and the Spruce Kings first test as a team when they play host to the Quesnel Millionaires on Tuesday night at 7:00pm in the Prince George Coliseum. The second game of the exhibition schedule will be played on Wednesday night as the back half of a home-at-home series with the Millionaires in the Smithers Civic Centre. Smithers has been abuzz with the rumours of this event for about a month, but it was only just made official last week and I'm told that more than half the tickets have already been sold.
After a day off, the Spruce Kings will be back at it on Friday night with the three hour bus ride to Williams Lake to welcome the Timberwolves back into the BCHL. After going dark for two seasons, the Cariboo Community Complex will once again be lit up for a Junior 'A' hockey game. The drop of the puck on Friday night in Williams Lake is scheduled for 7:00pm and then the two teams will travel back to Prince George and the final game of the preseason on Saturday night, 7:00pm in the Coliseum.
The following week marks the unofficial end of summer with Labour Day and the return to school, it will also be the first full week of practice for the Spruce Kings in preparation for their first regular season game. The Spruce Kings will open their 14th season in the BCHL at home with a game against the Westside Warriors on Friday September 11th and then Saturday night the Penticton Vees will be in the Castle to meet the royal ones.
It is pretty exciting stuff and the great news is that the ticket prices haven't increased from last year and, in some cases, ticket prices have gone down with the different ticket packages available. One in particular that has come back this year and will provide great value for a family of four is the Family Pack that features game tickets, popcorn and pop for all four people for a cost of $35 ... that's not even $9 a person!
Okay well there you have the schedule of events for the next couple of weeks ... if you would like more, the full schedule is posted on the Spruce Kings website ... or you can CLICK HERE for a printable version (you will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader).
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Neutral Site Game
Well it is official and there seems to be a lot of interest in the exhibition game slated for Wednesday September 2nd in Smithers. This will be the first time the Spruce Kings have ever played in the city that has turned out no less than eleven alumni, thirteen if you count Houston and Telkwa.
The most recent graduate of the Spruce Kings to come from Smithers is of course Zach Davies. The four year vet and last year's team captain is now off to Quinnipiac University on a four year scholarship and will be missed for sure. But that is life in junior hockey, there is always going to be a little turnover giving new players a chance to show what they are capable of bringing to the game.
That is what can be expected for the fans in Smithers that are expected to fill the Civic Centre at the base of Hudson Bay Mountain for the game. The desire to win and be competitive is always there whether it be a playoff game or a preseason test for new players. Those trying to find a spot on the roster will want to show that they have what it takes to play at this level.
The competitive factor will be behind the bench as well with the coaches of both squads. Knowing Ed Dempsey and Glen Watson, I can tell you that neither is looking at making the trip and not coming home with something to show for it. For two seasons, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, Glen Watson was the man behind the bench of the Spruce Kings.
Smithers is no stranger to the game of hockey as evident by the number of players that come out of that area. The interesting thing that I noticed while going through the list of alumni from Smithers is that they are almost all defencemen. Of the eleven players that called Smithers home while playing in the BCHL for the Spruce Kings, only two were forwards. Including Telkwa into the equation and there is a goaltender that can be added to the list.
I'm not sure how many of those players still call Smithers home, but it would sure be nice to be able to catch up to at least a few of them. Perhaps that can be a future blog looking at some of the record holders on the all-time Spruce Kings list to come from Smithers. In the meantime I'm just looking forward to the chance to get out on the road and call a hockey game.
Like I was able to do in Dawson Creek last year and Grande Prairie the year before that, I will be using the exhibition season to work out some kinks in the game broadcast. The full slate of exhibition season games will be heard on 93.1 CFIS-FM and available online from the Spruce Kings website as well as the radio station's website.
The full exhibition season schedule is available from the Spruce Kings website along with the regular season schedule.
The most recent graduate of the Spruce Kings to come from Smithers is of course Zach Davies. The four year vet and last year's team captain is now off to Quinnipiac University on a four year scholarship and will be missed for sure. But that is life in junior hockey, there is always going to be a little turnover giving new players a chance to show what they are capable of bringing to the game.
That is what can be expected for the fans in Smithers that are expected to fill the Civic Centre at the base of Hudson Bay Mountain for the game. The desire to win and be competitive is always there whether it be a playoff game or a preseason test for new players. Those trying to find a spot on the roster will want to show that they have what it takes to play at this level.
The competitive factor will be behind the bench as well with the coaches of both squads. Knowing Ed Dempsey and Glen Watson, I can tell you that neither is looking at making the trip and not coming home with something to show for it. For two seasons, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, Glen Watson was the man behind the bench of the Spruce Kings.
Smithers is no stranger to the game of hockey as evident by the number of players that come out of that area. The interesting thing that I noticed while going through the list of alumni from Smithers is that they are almost all defencemen. Of the eleven players that called Smithers home while playing in the BCHL for the Spruce Kings, only two were forwards. Including Telkwa into the equation and there is a goaltender that can be added to the list.
I'm not sure how many of those players still call Smithers home, but it would sure be nice to be able to catch up to at least a few of them. Perhaps that can be a future blog looking at some of the record holders on the all-time Spruce Kings list to come from Smithers. In the meantime I'm just looking forward to the chance to get out on the road and call a hockey game.
Like I was able to do in Dawson Creek last year and Grande Prairie the year before that, I will be using the exhibition season to work out some kinks in the game broadcast. The full slate of exhibition season games will be heard on 93.1 CFIS-FM and available online from the Spruce Kings website as well as the radio station's website.
The full exhibition season schedule is available from the Spruce Kings website along with the regular season schedule.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Not Too Far Away Now
It isn't hard to see that the hockey season isn't very far away now with everything that is happening around the Coliseum these past few days. The Spruce Kings office has been busy after a few weeks of down time during the dog days of summer. There is going to be a lot to write (or blog) about over the next couple of days and I will try and get it all out there.
The Spruce Kings Hockey School is starting its final week and has been fielding requests for last minute registrations (can still fit a couple into the 12 - 14 age group). Speaking of the hockey school, that is Nick Drazenovic in a Spruce Kings jersey participating in the Junior Conditioning Camp during the second week of the School. Dave Simoes also showed up during the week and helped to push those junior and major junior hopefuls hard before they head off to their respective camps.
Talking with Nick, it sounds like he has a busy few weeks ahead of him as he will be in Edmonton this week before heading to Peoria and then St. Louis. Watching the Prince George minor hockey product on the ice was a treat as Nick had a ton of hustle and great puck sense. A trio of young men that came down from Whitehorse to skate in the Junior Conditioning Camp said they got a lot more than they bargained for and were excited they had the opportunity to skate, practice and scrimmage with the calibre of players that they did.
I will have a bit of an article on the main Spruce Kings website once the camp is done, but the early reports that are coming in speak quite favourable for the level of instruction and what the students have taken away from the rink so far. A big thank you has to go out to Bayne Koen, the Spruce Kings assistant coach drafted up a daily practice and drill schedule for the age groups. Of course the instructors deserve all of the thanks for their hard work both on and off the ice through the two weeks so far.
In the hockey ops office the ringer on the phone has been getting a work out too as other coaches and general managers touch base with Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. A lot of the conversations are simply catching up and going over schedules and other hockey related matters, but of course there have been a few trade talks as well and the Spruce Kings have worked a few deals that have changed their roster.
The most recent addition is Brooks Robinson, a highly respected forward that has played the majority of his junior career on the island splitting duties with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Powell River Kings. It was the Coastal Division Kings that traded Robinson to Grande Prairie at the trade deadline where Brooks played in the Storm's final 16 regular season games and 19 post season games.
Another name that will show up on the Spruce Kings roster when the season starts is that of RJay Berra. I know what you are thinking, RJay was on the Spruce Kings roster last year. True, he was, but in what can only be described as an interesting story, RJay also appeared on the roster of two other BCHL teams this summer. After spending the off season in Vancouver working, RJay is in the process of packing up his bags for his return to Prince George and I hope to speak to him on Monday and have that interview available on here shortly afterwards.
Expect another media release from the Spruce Kings this week as well announcing a neutral site location for the team's second exhibition season game. It is perhaps the worst kept secret as everyone at the base of Hudson Bay mountain already knows and is waiting to purchase tickets once they go on sale. Insurance and a few other pieces of red tape had to be sorted out before it could become official, but it is expected to be made official early next week that the Spruce Kings and the Quesnel Millionaires will play at the Smithers Civic Arena on September 2nd.
Okay that is it for now, more details on all of those stories and more are promised for the days ahead. In the meantime however, I am going to be working on some more sponsorships for the Spruce Kings broadcast. Hey, if you would like to show your support of the Spruce Kings with an ad in the game program or on the radio broadcast, drop me a line. Don't wait though as the game program goes to print next week and available spots in the game are limited.
The Spruce Kings Hockey School is starting its final week and has been fielding requests for last minute registrations (can still fit a couple into the 12 - 14 age group). Speaking of the hockey school, that is Nick Drazenovic in a Spruce Kings jersey participating in the Junior Conditioning Camp during the second week of the School. Dave Simoes also showed up during the week and helped to push those junior and major junior hopefuls hard before they head off to their respective camps.Talking with Nick, it sounds like he has a busy few weeks ahead of him as he will be in Edmonton this week before heading to Peoria and then St. Louis. Watching the Prince George minor hockey product on the ice was a treat as Nick had a ton of hustle and great puck sense. A trio of young men that came down from Whitehorse to skate in the Junior Conditioning Camp said they got a lot more than they bargained for and were excited they had the opportunity to skate, practice and scrimmage with the calibre of players that they did.
I will have a bit of an article on the main Spruce Kings website once the camp is done, but the early reports that are coming in speak quite favourable for the level of instruction and what the students have taken away from the rink so far. A big thank you has to go out to Bayne Koen, the Spruce Kings assistant coach drafted up a daily practice and drill schedule for the age groups. Of course the instructors deserve all of the thanks for their hard work both on and off the ice through the two weeks so far.
In the hockey ops office the ringer on the phone has been getting a work out too as other coaches and general managers touch base with Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. A lot of the conversations are simply catching up and going over schedules and other hockey related matters, but of course there have been a few trade talks as well and the Spruce Kings have worked a few deals that have changed their roster.
The most recent addition is Brooks Robinson, a highly respected forward that has played the majority of his junior career on the island splitting duties with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Powell River Kings. It was the Coastal Division Kings that traded Robinson to Grande Prairie at the trade deadline where Brooks played in the Storm's final 16 regular season games and 19 post season games.
Another name that will show up on the Spruce Kings roster when the season starts is that of RJay Berra. I know what you are thinking, RJay was on the Spruce Kings roster last year. True, he was, but in what can only be described as an interesting story, RJay also appeared on the roster of two other BCHL teams this summer. After spending the off season in Vancouver working, RJay is in the process of packing up his bags for his return to Prince George and I hope to speak to him on Monday and have that interview available on here shortly afterwards.
Expect another media release from the Spruce Kings this week as well announcing a neutral site location for the team's second exhibition season game. It is perhaps the worst kept secret as everyone at the base of Hudson Bay mountain already knows and is waiting to purchase tickets once they go on sale. Insurance and a few other pieces of red tape had to be sorted out before it could become official, but it is expected to be made official early next week that the Spruce Kings and the Quesnel Millionaires will play at the Smithers Civic Arena on September 2nd.
Okay that is it for now, more details on all of those stories and more are promised for the days ahead. In the meantime however, I am going to be working on some more sponsorships for the Spruce Kings broadcast. Hey, if you would like to show your support of the Spruce Kings with an ad in the game program or on the radio broadcast, drop me a line. Don't wait though as the game program goes to print next week and available spots in the game are limited.
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