With the inaugural BWC Hockey Academy season complete – it’s time to reflect on the year that was.

Elite 15:

        The Elite 15 team coached by Leland Mack and Jordie Armon-Jones had a very successful year with 27 wins, 12 losses, 6 OT or shootout losses, and 3 ties in 49 games September to March.   They finished 3rd in CSSHL regular season standings.   A highlight was a trip to Denver where the E15s went 4-1 playing in a US Tier 1 Elite league showcase in Denver in December including beating the Dallas Stars and Colorado Thunderbirds.

        More important than wins and losses – The players developed, had academic success, and became better people.  The development model of ice-time Monday to Friday and training 2 to 4 times a week allows all 19 players to get better.

        At the 1st annual year-end banquet in June the following individual awards were handed out:

Top Scholastic Award – Kyle Johnson and Sam Atkins

Most Valuable Player – Spencer Hunter

Most Improved – Justin Lee

Top Defenseman – Callum Volpe

Unsung Hero – Kevin Wong

Where they are going:

        Spencer Hunter has signed with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. With several other players attending WHL and BCHL camps in August.  So far 9 elite 15 players have committed to returning to the Academy to play for the U18 team under Maco Balkovec.

U18 Prep Team

        The U18 team was coached by Aaron Wilbur and Jay Aikenhead and finished their CSSHL season with a record of 7-18-3 including a 2 game sweep of Tyler Benson’s Pursuit of Excellence team at the Burnaby Winter Club in February.  A Highlight was their trip to Ohio where they toured NCAA Campuses and played against local prep teams.

        The team played a strong system game and came a long way over the season and could compete against top U18 teams by the end.

        At the 1st annual year-end banquet in June the following individual awards were handed out:

Top Scholastic Award – Thomas Cankovic

Most Valuable Player – Tyler Welsh

Most Improved – Alex Kong

Top Defenseman – Devan Purhar

Unsung Hero – Kyle Bergh

Where they are going:

        So far 12 U18 players have signed with Junior B teams and more attending BCHL and Jr. B camps in August.  So far 2 players have committed to return to play for the U18 team again next season.

Review:

        The 1st academy season was a success and the future is bright.  This program’s goal is to be one of the top hockey programs in Western Canada.  The hockey academy development model is second to none and the CSSHL will continue to grow as the top development league. 

        Burnaby Central Secondary School was a successful partner with the academy and will continue to be in the future.  Thank You to the 38 players, their families, and the staff for being pioneers in building this program.