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."

Burnett Added to Defense

Photo by: Dan Hickling

The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce the acquisition of 19 year old defenseman Adam Burnett from The Ancaster Avalanche of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) in exchange for future considerations.

The 6’3” 205lb Burnett is from Waterdown, Ontario and played 35 games last in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) split between the Stouffville Spirit and Milton Icehawks. He tallied 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points plus 62 minutes in penalties in those 35 games. He finished the season with the Ancaster Avalanche where he tallied 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points plus 14 penalty minutes in 13 games played.

“Adam is a big strong veteran defenseman with great leadership abilities. He has played over 130 Junior A games in Ontario. He will play in all situations for us and make an already deep defense group even deeper. A lot of the success we have this season will start with our defensemen and Adam will be a big part of that” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

Adam will join the rest of his Spruce Kings teammates when the team commences their Main Training Camp on August 24^th at the coliseum.

(Press Release from the Prince George Spruce Kings)

LeBrun for Captain

In advance of the start of the team’s training camp, The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce that 20 year old local Prince George player Jake LeBrun will be team Captain for the upcoming 2015/2016 season.

LeBrun is entering his fourth season as a Spruce King and is a veteran of over 160 regular season and playoff games. Last season LeBrun tallied 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points in 42 regular season games and played an integral part of the Spruce Kings’ round one playoff series victory over The Langley Rivermen.

“Jake has all the leadership qualities that you look for in a Captain. He also knows what the expectations of the team are and understands what it takes for the team to be successful. He’s very deserving of this honour and will do a tremendous job as a leader” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

“It’s an honour and a dream come true to be named Captain of my home town team. Something I’ve been working towards for the last few years. To be rewarded for all my hard work is really satisfying” said Jake LeBrun.

“In getting to know our returning players we feel Jake is a great choice to be our captain for this season.  He is entering his fourth season with our team and has a lot of experience.  He leads by example both on and off the ice and has a lot of respect from his teammates and our coaching staff. We have a lot of confidence in Jake and believe he will be a great captain for us” said Spruce Kings Head Coach Chad van Diemen.

Jake LeBrun will join the rest of his Spruce Kings teammates at training camp from Monday August 24^th to Thursday Aug 28^th. All ice times of training camp will be in the evenings and will include full intra-squad games at 7:00pm on Tuesday Aug 25^th, Wednesday Aug 26^th and Thursday Aug 27^th. All training camp games are open to the public and free of charge. The Spruce Kings will welcome the Merritt Centennials to town for the team’s first exhibition game on Friday August 28^th at 7:00pm. We look forward to having our loyal Spruce Kings fans at the coliseum to see what this year’s version of the squad will look like.

(Press Release from the Prince George Spruce Kings)

Bechtel Acquired From Cowicahn Valley Capitals

Rylan Bechtel,
Photo by Garrett James Photogrpahy

The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce the acquisition of 20 year old defenseman Rylan Bechtel from The Cowichan Valley Capitals in exchange for 19 year old defenseman Mitch Meek.

The 5’10” 195lb Bechtel is from Chilliwack and is a BCHL veteran with 173 games played. Last season in 56 games played with Cowichan Valley, Bechtel tallied 5 goals and 37 assists for 42 points to go along with 60 penalty minutes.

“Rylan is a veteran player with a lot of experience in our league. He is a very solid two way defenseman who will come in here and play in all situations for us while providing a lot of leadership. He’s also a tremendous young man who will fit in well with our core values and provide some mentorship for our younger players” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

Mitch Meek had been acquired by the Spruce Kings earlier in the off season in a three team trade involving The Vernon Vipers and West Kelowna Warriors.

Rylan Bechtel will join the rest of his Spruce Kings teammates when the team commences their Main Training Camp on Monday August 24th at the coliseum.

(Press Release from the Prince George Spruce Kings)

Here's a little of what to expect this season from Bechtel.

Ryan Howse Joins Scouting Team

The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce the addition of former Spruce Kings player, Calgary Flames draft pick and local rep hockey coach Ryan Howse to their scouting staff.

Ryan played for the Spruce Kings as a 15 year old during the 2006/2007 season and was a member of the team that hosted the Royal Bank Cup. He then went on to a stellar Western Hockey League career which included a 51 goal, 32 assist season in 2010/2011. He was drafted in the 3rd round, 74th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2009.

Last season Ryan won Prince George Minor Hockey Rep Coach of the year after overseeing the Bantam Tier 2 Cougars. This season Ryan will be the head coach for the Midget Tier 1 Cougars.

“Ryan was a tremendous player who’s hockey sense and skill set was through the roof. He has been able to translate that hockey ability to the coaching side of the game and has also developed a keen eye when it comes to identifying talent. It’s always good when you can add a tremendous, young and talented hockey mind to your staff. In his role as head coach of the midget tier 1 team this season he will get a chance to see a lot of good midget teams and players in North America. That will be very beneficial for us” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

“I’m very excited to be coming on board with the Spruce Kings. They’ve always been a big part of my life on and off the ice” said Ryan Howse.

Ryan is currently working alongside Spruce Kings head coach Chad van Diemen for the next three weeks during the Spruce Kings Hockey School.

Spruce Kings Acquire Luc Soares

The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce the acquisition of 19 year old forward Luc Soares from The Amherst Ramblers of The Maritime Hockey League in exchange for future considerations.

Luc Soares, pictured left

The 5'10" 175lbs Soares is from Delta, B.C. and played last season for the Kirkland Lake Goldminers of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.  In 49 games for the Gold Miners Soares tallied 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points plus 42 minutes in penalties. His playing rights had been traded to Amherst earlier this off season.

“Luc is a gifted offensive player with tremendous speed. He will provide some skill to an already strong and skilled group of forwards. He is a B.C. kid who is excited to be coming back to his home province to play" said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

Luc will join the rest of his Spruce Kings teammates when the team commences their Main Training Camp on August 24th at the coliseum.

(Press Release from the Prince George Spruce Kings)

Bloggers Note: "Spruce Kings Soares Past Competition" will most likely be used at some point this season on the blog

Spruce Kings Welcome Cooper Prechel

Cooper Prechel, Pictured Left

The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce the commitment of 18 year old defenseman

Cooper Prechel to the team for the 2015/2016 season.

The 6’0” 180lb Prechel is from Penticton, B.C. and played last season for the Princeton Posse of The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). Last season Cooper Prechel tallied 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points plus 18 penalty minutes in 23 games played for the Posse.

“Cooper is a very solid player who plays a very good all-around game. He competes very hard, skates well, manages the puck well and can contribute in both ends of the ice. With the recent departure of Cole McCaskill to college hockey an opening on our backend was created and Cooper was someone that was very intriguing for me and the coaching staff.  He will play a big part in our team for the next few seasons” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes.

Cooper will join the rest of his Spruce Kings team mates in mid August as they prepare for the team’s main training camp which will begin August 24^th.