Hockey
Sharpen your skates for the Young Stars Classic this weekend
PENTICTON - Playing in the NHL is a dream for many young hockey players, and a bunch of young stars will get closer to making that dream a reality at the Young Stars Classic this weekend in Penticton. Prospects of the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets will be playing at the...
LARRY KWONG: How a Vernon man defied the odds and broke the NHL’s colour barrier
VERNON - From the frozen ponds of Vernon to the rink of a big league game, Larry Kwong became many things: The first to break the colour barrier in the NHL, a hero to countless fans, and an inspiration that anyone, no matter what their heritage, can follow their dreams. And yet the 92-year-old has...
Taking the hit before taking the shot: What your hockey helmet isn’t protecting you from
THOMPSON/OKANAGAN - It’s easily the most important piece of your hockey gear; you’re not even allowed on the ice without it even though the helmet you have now isn’t doing much to prevent concussions. But there could be significant changes in the works to adapt it. Paul van Donkelaar is the director of UBC-O’s school...
Blazers use import draft to pick up Slovakian, Swiss players
KAMLOOPS - The Kamloops Blazers' coaching staff hope two picks in the import draft this week will help to bolster the d-line going forward. Both picks were used to grab eligible European defenseman in the draft. Patrik Maier of Slovakia went sixth overall to the Blazers during the 2014 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft while...
Kesler traded to Ducks
VANCOUVER - Everyone expected change after yet another rough season for the Vancouver Canucks and today months of speculation ended with the trade of Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks picked up centre Nick Bonino, 26, defenceman Luca Sbisa, 24, and the 24 and 85 picks in the 2014 NHL Draft, which begins...
Vipers open BCHL season against Cowichan Valley
CHILLIWACK – The BCHL is opening the 2014-15 season with the Bauer Showcase in the Fraser Valley this fall. The Vernon Vipers will open the showcase at Prospera Place in Chilliwack against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, Sept. 19. The Snakes will take on the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday. All 16 BCHL teams will...
Canucks to host Young Stars Classic hockey tournament
PENTICTON - The Vancouver Canucks will be hosting the 2014 Young Stars Classic beginning Sept. 12, 2014 in Penticton. Canucks players won’t be the only NHL stars at the round-robin tournament — prospects from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets will be there too. “We are excited to host the Young Stars Classic,...
Bozon back on ice
KAMLOOPS - Former Blazer and Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon hit the ice this week as he continues to bounce back from a serious case of bacterial meningitis, treated in part through a medically induced coma. “Wow great feeling to be back on the ice !!! #firsttime #boyzba,” Bozon posted to Twitter Thursday. “First time...
Lawsuit filed against former hockey association treasurer, others
PENTICTON — A civil lawsuit has been filed against former hockey association board member Sandy Elder, alleging fraud and embezzlement of association funds. The claims the association's former treasurer illegally took $315,650 from the association and shared the money with five others, who are listed as “John Doe” in the suit. Elder’s husband and two...
Vees add new players to roster
PENTICTON — The Vees hockey team added three new players to its roster this week for the upcoming hockey season. Let’s meet the recruits: Miles Gendron Position: Defence Born: 1996 Played: Rivers School, Massachusetts Awards: Independent School League’s 2013-14 MVP, Sportsmanship award, League All-Star Fun Fact: 74th ranked Central Scouting ranked player for 2014 NHL...
What fans, players and organizers have to say about the 2014 RBC Cup
VERNON - It seems everyone involved in the RBC Cup can’t help but tweet about it. Players, organizers and fans shared their experiences this week on Twitter. Their tweets take us into the grandstands, beyond the locker room doors, and behind the scenes of the ten day Junior A Championship event held at Kal Tire...
RBC Cup a boon for local economy
VERNON - The return of the RBC Cup is expected to bring economic benefits to the region for years to come. Vernon is hosting the national Junior A Hockey Championship for the first time since 1990, and the city’s economic development manager Kevin Poole says it’s going to infuse the local economy with players and...
UPDATE: Blazers end 2014 WHL Bantam Draft with good mix
KAMLOOPS — Today is the day Bantam players across Western Canada and the Western U.S. find out if they have made the cut and are picked up by a Western Hockey League team. This year the 22 teams that make up the WHL will go through 13 rounds of drafting, ultimately choosing more than 280...