Several hockey players from the Coast are making their mark in a pair of junior hockey leagues in B.C.
Three players are suiting up for squads in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) while the Kootenay International Junior League (KIJHL) has two players.
Patrick Thorburn is in his third season with the Oceanside Generals of the VIJHL.
Thorburn is tied for the lead in Generals' scoring with five goals and 16 points in 17 games. The Generals are off to a tough start. They have only three wins in 17 games and sit seventh in the standings.
"We still have a few guys who are learning to play with each other," said head coach Dave Johnston. "Patrick has demonstrated why we named him our captain. He's a prototypical grinder. He works hard, and he leads by example. He brings a strong work ethic to practice and games and that's exactly what we needed to be a leader of this group. He's off to a good start. We're pushing Patrick to give us more, and he's been responding."
Eldon Chernowsky was also playing with the Generals. He scored one goal in 13 games with the club. On Wednesday, the Generals traded him to the Sicamous Eagles of the KIJHL.
"We got the opportunity to acquire a top end defenceman, which we needed," said Johnston. "Eldon took the news well. He hasn't played at the level we wanted him to. It's not just his fault. I think we didn't utilize him in the best situations. It's a fresh start for him and a huge opportunity for him to go to a first place team. We wish him well."
The Eagles are leading the Okanagan Shuswap division of the KIJHL with a record of 15-3.
Another player excelling in the VIJHL is goalie Colin Page.
After spending a season with Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, Page was offered a tryout with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
"Colin was excited, but decided to turn down the offer," said mom Sherry Nelsen. "He phoned around to several teams and got a tryout with the Peninsula Panthers and made the squad."
The Panthers are tied with the Saanich Braves for top spot in the VIJHL.
"We're very happy with him," said head coach Gord Bridges. "He came into camp and we could see his potential right away. He's sharing net duties with another goalie. Both are tops in save percentage in the league. It's the best tandum we've had. Both goalies are pushing each other to succeed. He's committed. He controls his rebounds and he battles very hard for us every night he's between the pipes."
Defenceman Aaron Portman is also off to a good start.
Portman played last season with the Eagles, but this year he's playing with the Campbell River Storm of the VIJHL. The Storm are fifth in the standings. Portman has a goal and nine assists.
"Aaron is a 20-year-old player that we knew could help our club," said head coach Peter Martin. "When he came to camp he acquitted himself well. He's played a physical role, but we want more out of him. We saw a guy in camp who could move the puck. Lately, he's been struggling a bit. We hope he goes back to his strengths and remembers what got him here."
T.J. Belanger rounds out the contingent.
Belanger is again tending net for the Columbia Valley Rockies of the KIJHL. Belanger has played 10 games so far for the Rockies. He hurt his knee recently; head coach Matt Hughes hopes Belanger can return to the form that made him an all-star selection last season.
"His work ethic is second to none," Hughes said. "He's been here for several years and as a 20-year-old, he's now one of the leaders on our club. He's helping out with the younger guys and that's great to see. T.J. is a class act. He's great on the ice, in the dressing room and has a great reputation around town. Hopefully he can rebound from this injury and pick up where he left off for us."
