Sports
Sockeyes growing day by day
After starting the season undefeated in
September, the Richmond Sockeyes as expected came back to earth.
But one of the youngest teams in the Pacific
Junior Hockey League is still in the thick of things as we head into a new calendar
year.
Trying to defend a provincial championship is
no easy feat, particularly when you lose most of the team to graduation. But
despite their youth, the 2018-19 Sockeyes are turning more than a few heads
with their play.
“It doesn’t come easy,” says head coach Brett
Reusch. “A lot of players want to play Junior A, and while wins and losses
(Sockeyes are currently 17-7-2-1) are important there’s more to it. At the end
of the day we, as the Sockeyes, like to measure how many players we put up to
the next level.”
When Reusch and general manager Richard
Petrowsky were deciding the makeup of this year’s team, there were many things
to consider. Replacing talented players was difficult enough. But adding
individuals with strong character was equally important.
“I think we have the mix to make a good
playoff run,” says Reusch. “They’ve also been good about accepting roles (for
the good of the team). Scoring goals is nice, but players also have to realize
that not everyone can play the powerplay. And preventing goals is just as
important as being a goal scorer.”
Captain Matt Brown, one of the few returning
players from the 2018 Cyclone Taylor Cup champions, says every year is
different because of the developmental nature of the league. But he says seeing
the Sockeyes bring in such quality young players confirms “what an unbelievable
organization we have here.”
“At the end of the day, with such a young
team, it all comes down to buying in as a group,” Brown says. “This team has
really come together, regardless of how many years they’ve played in the
league.”
Obviously, one of the big contributors to the
Sockeyes’ success has been goaltender Jeremy Kelleway whose 1.95 goals against
average is among the best in the league.
“The confidence Jeremy gives us night in and
night out has been that extra boost we’ve needed in some of those close game,”
says Brown.
• The Sockeyes are scheduled to play at
Langley on Dec. 12 and host Mission City Outlaws on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Minoru
Arenas. Their remaining games in December are Dec. 20 versus Port Moody
Panthers at 7 p.m. at Minoru, and Dec. 23 versus Grandview Steelers at Burnaby
Winter Club.