Poisson and de Jong Commit to BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings for 2016-17
Courtesy of CSSHL's Tyson Guriato
A pair of BWC Hockey Academy forwards have committed to the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Ethan de Jong (North Vancouver, BC) and Ben Poisson (Vancouver, BC) will both call Prince George home for the 2016-17 season.
“We are very happy for Ethan DeJong and Ben Poisson to join Liam Watson-Brawn in Prince George for 2016 to play for the Spruce Kings,” said BWC Prep team head coach, Maco Balkovec. “It’s rewarding for our program, for our coaches, Leland Mack, Jordie Armon-Jones and Josh Bonar, for all the skill development they do, and for our league. It shows that this is a great path and that the 3-to-1 practice to game ratio we have is essential for growth and success.”
De Jong, 16, is in his second Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) season, where he has amassed 39 points (14-25-39) in 24 games. During the 2014-15 season with the BWC Elite 15s team, the 5-foot-10 forward registered 37 points (21-16-37) in 24 games.
“Ethan is quiet and modest, yet one of the most highly skilled and explosive forwards in the Prep Division and simply a joy to watch every day,” said Balkovec. “His ability to make plays at top speed is a rarity.”
Poisson, 16, is also in his second CSSHL season. He has recorded 23 points (13-10-23) in 22 games with the BWC Prep team so far this season, while posting 30 points (14-16-30) in 30 games during the 2014-15 campaign with the BWC Elite 15s squad.
“Ben plays a very heavy game,” said Balkovec. “He can play anywhere in the lineup. More importantly, Ben is a special young man, he’s a bit of an old soul, and someone we project to be a future captain.”
Both players have seen action with the Spruce Kings this season. De Jong has recorded two assists in eight games, while Poisson has two penalty-minutes in six contests.
The duo will join their BWC Prep teammate Liam Watson-Brawn, who committed to the Spruce Kings in December.
“We’ve been very lucky to have these boys in our program and hope to continue to bring in high character kids that want to put the time and effort in that these boys have,” said Balkovec. “They have earned this through their consistent effort by doing their best every day.”
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Courtesy of the Prince George Spruce Kings Website.
The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce the commitment of two players from the Burnaby Winter Club (BWC) Prep U-18 team for the 2016/17 season. 1999 born forwards, Ethan de Jong from North Vancouver and Ben Poisson from Vancouver have both committed to play for the Spruce Kings next year. “It’s definitely exciting that we were able to get commitments from two tremendous young players and what’s equally exciting is that they are both quality people who will fit in well with the culture within our group. Our coaches, Chad and Adam, both did a great job in the recruitment of Ethan and Ben and I know that they look forward to working with both of those young players over the next several seasons” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes
In 39 games with the BWC Prep U-18, de Jong leads the team in assists (33), power play assists (12), and points (53). He is second on the team in goals (20) and power play goals (5). “The Spruce Kings just showed so much interest, and were so enthusiastic about it, so it was a must commit for me ,” said de Jong regarding committing with the Spruce Kings. Last year with the BWC Elite 15, de Jong finished second in team scoring five points behind the leader, but also played in eight fewer games. In eight games as an affiliated player with Prince George this season, he has two assists. “Ethan is a very gifted player who’s hockey IQ is off the charts. Combine that with his skating ability and his competitiveness and you have one heck of a player. Our fans will enjoy watching this young man develop over the next few seasons” said Mike Hawes
Ben Poisson was a late addition this season as an affiliate player for the Spruce Kings, but impressed the coaches right off the bat. “There’s a lot of opportunity. They play guys accordingly to how they’re playing so you have to earn your ice team. For next year I want to bring a physical game with lots of offensive threat, and lots of battle and compete,” said Poisson on what he’s expecting next year. In six games with the club he has yet to score a point, but was one of the team’s most dangerous players this weekend when he joined Prince George for games at home against the Chilliwack Chiefs and Merritt Centennials. In 39 games with the BWC Prep U-18 team this year, Poisson has 26 points in 39 games, and sits second in shots with 135. “Ben is a big strong player who possesses an excellent skill set. His offensive instincts are very good, he skates very well and enjoys using his body to his advantage. He plays a complete game and is the type of player that our coaches will love to have available to them” said Mike Hawes
The two forwards will join BWC teammate Liam Watson-Brawn next season as the blueliner committed to the Spruce Kings earlier this year along with Jesse Pomeroy from the Cariboo Cougars. “I grew up with Liam, and we’re really good friends. For Ethan I’ve been with and against him throughout my entire career so I’m really to play with him next year,” said Poisson on playing with his current teammates again next season.