David Arduin's junior hockey career begins this weekend with one of the most successful franchises in the province.
Arduin recently signed a one-year contract with the Campbell River Storm of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). The Storm has won the Island title seven years running and last year compiled a record of 43-2-3.
Arduin is thrilled to be a member of the team.
"I'm very excited to just get into a new atmosphere and show them what I can do," Arduin said. "It's certainly good to join a successful team. It makes the transition so much easier."
The Sechelt forward first caught Campbell River's eye when the Sunshine Coast Midget Blues competed in a Christmas holiday tournament in Richmond. They also had a chance to see Arduin in action when the Blues travelled to the provincials in March.
"David has tremendous ability and skill to play the game," said Ed Kingston, president and general manager of the Storm. "With a decent skating program that gets him on the ice four times a week, he can excel and hopefully go on to play Junior A hockey. I also scout for Kelowna [Rockets of the Western Hockey League]. I see loads of potential in David. He's a good student and a smart kid both on and off the ice."
Pre-season camp for the Storm starts tomorrow (Aug. 15) and it's here that Arduin will get his first taste of what the team expects from him this season.
"I'm not really sure what my role on the team is going to be, but I think they know I like to score goals," Arduin said. "This is just a great opportunity for me."
Arduin is hoping to have a great season with the Storm and then make the jump to the B.C. Hockey League next season.
"We signed David with the full intent that he would probably be with us for only this year," Kingston added. "We try to pick hockey players who want to develop and achieve a higher level. David certainly fits that mode. He's coming in with the right attitude and from day one I thought he was a player who fit the needs of our hockey club."
The VIJHL consists of two divisions. The Storm, Comox Glacier Kings and Parksville Generals form the North Island division, and the Victoria Cougars, Peninsula Panthers, Saanich Braves and Kerry Park Islanders form the South Island division.
The two divisions play a 48-game balanced interlocking schedule during the regular season. Teams play eight games against each of their opponents. All road trips are single game, same-day affairs. This allows players to continue their education or hold down a job while still playing hockey.
The regular season standings for both divisions are integrated into a single standings list. All eight teams automatically qualify for the playoffs, which begin in mid-February.
During the playoffs, the teams play within their divisions to determine a North and South Island champion. The North and South Island division playoff champions then meet in the VIJHL Island final.
The VIJHL Island champion then goes on to play in the provincial Jr. B championships for the Cyclone Taylor Cup in early April. The VIJHL competes with the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL), consisting of teams from the Lower Mainland, and the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), composed of teams from the B.C. Interior. The right to host the Cyclone Taylor Cup championships is rotated every year through the three Jr. B leagues. The Cyclone Taylor Cup winner then goes on to the Western Canadian Jr. B championships.
