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With the trade deadline behind them as well as the hours and miles to get to Prince George, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Zack Rassell are officially Spruce Kings. The pair don't know each other but they share the same excitement to put on the jersey with the Crown emblem and represent Prince George in a series of tough battles this weekend.

I caught up with the pair shortly after a morning skate and just before the team headed out on the road for games this weekend against the Chilliwack Chiefs (Friday), Penticton Vees (Saturday) and Vernon Vipers (Sunday). For one of them, the rivalry is a familiar one and for the other, well he just wants to be a part of it as soon as possible.

Jarryd Ten Vaanholt was the first to arrive in Prince George, getting in late Wednesday night. Ten Vaanholt was able to get in two practices with the Prince George Spruce Kings and is very much looking forward to rejoining a teammate from last season and long time friend Paul De Jersey. The two are both from West Vancouver and have basically played hockey together since Jarryd was six years old.

My apologies for the quality of the audio file as the wind did create an interference with the recording that I didn't know about when I was standing outside the bus asking Jarryd his thoughts on being traded to Prince George.

download audio file

I also had a chance to talk with Zack Rassell who I can tell you has already impressed with his first practice. Having driven all day Wednesday and getting in to Prince George late the night before a morning skate, there was a sense that he would be a little sluggish, but that didn't seem to be the case at all. Zack felt he was a little rusty and wasn't afraid to admit it when I asked him his thoughts on leaving the Alberta Junior Hockey League for the Prince George Spruce Kings.

download audio file

For their first game with the Prince George Spruce Kings, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt has been placed on the left side of the line with Tyson Witala at centre and Michael Betz on right wing. Look for Zack Rassell to take the draws from centre with Patrick Chore and Sean Landrey on either side. With Skylar Pacheco currently an injured scratch, Latrell Charleson will see a regular shift on the blue line paired up with Cody Bardock.