Across North America tonight, thousands of hockey players are on the bus heading back from a road game. A stick tap to the drivers who get them back safely.
Here are the Top teams in each of the 12 Western Canadian Junior B leagues. There are 117 Junior B organizations between Campbell River BC and Schreiber Ontario. Support Junior hockey and check out a game in your area this week.
I have neither spoken for or against cages in BC Jr B but I've been concerned since day 1 that the sticks would come up & more hits would be directed at the head. That's exactly what's happening & boys are getting hurt. Enforce the rules & send a message early in games.
When a Jr hockey season ends, I naturally think of the players, particularly the 20's, & the coaches, I also think of their broadcasters. Their season is ending as well. In Jr hockey they prepare hard & are invested in their team. To all the Jr hockey casters out there, thanks.
I'd like to thank all the
@vijhlofficial
20 years olds for the privilege of covering you and in some cases calling your games. You have had a challenging 12 months. All the best to you and your future whether that's on or off the ice.
This time of year we think of the 20’s playing their final Jr games. I also think of their parents who too have been on the journey. I was talking w some parents the other night who seemed a little sad & reflective. Their routine is about to change.
@vijhlofficial
@KIJHL
@ThePJHL
It’s a special time of year for most Junior hockey players and their families. The kids are heading home for Christmas. Whether flying or driving, “safe journeys.”
Tonight there are thousands of young hockey players across North America following their dreams travelling our highways and byways in a big ol bus. Safe travels.
I found the
@ppanthersvijhl
Grant Gilbertson memorial prior to the game on Friday touching and captivating. Thank you for putting it together and to
@MyHockeyTV
for offering it online at no charge.
Tuesday was my last Storm Broadcast and I spent a great deal of time thanking the organization for 9 incredible seasons. I'd like to thank the parents for sending their young men to CR. I'd also like to thank all the broadcasters I've met over the years who've worked with me.
To the
@PortBombers
, I may be the Storm Broadcaster but I called 16 of your games this year and enjoyed every one of them. To 20’s, Keelan Hondro and Brendan Almer, thank you for your leadership. The Bombers have been an exceptional addition to the
@vijhlofficial
.
To
@vijhlofficial
teams, please please instruct your cameramen to not move the camera directly to centre ice when the visiting teams scores. The visiting team’s parents should be able to watch their kids celebrate. Remember your team will be in their building next game.
In addition to an incredible
@vijhlofficial
Prospect Game yesterday in Campbell River came news that the league will be moving to a 4-person officiating crew immediately.
#GreatNews
Today officially marks the end of my first season working with the
@KIJHL
. It's been a blast, a lot of work but a blast. My thanks to
@jdubois_bc
and
@e_sequeira17
for keeping the compass true (I tend to wander). The KI is blessed with some incredible organizations and people.
Congratulations to
@darrylskender
, the
@vijhlofficial
Broadcaster of the Year. The
@CVGKhockey
PxP man is among the best in the business! I’ve learned so much on how to prep for a game from this true professional.
Again need some help here. As near as I can figure this is the Jr B Hockey map of Canada. Please feel free to chime in if I have any of it wrong. Figuring this stuff out has been a struggle. Thanks ahead for any input and my apologies for any errors.
Super
@CR_STORM
fan Lynda Murphy put together hundreds of these ribbons and has raised over $800 so far for Humboldt. I saw a lot of these ribbons at
@CycloneTC2018
.
Regularly teams are tweeting out about player commitments to Junior A and College programs. BC Jr B is a model that seems to be working and it starts with some great
@KIJHL
@Pacific_Junior
&
@vijhlofficial
programs that actively and proudly move their players on. 2/
Stick tap to the
@KIJHL
and their website. Your game summary page is great especially at the bottom w the match up info that’s even available before game start. All 3 BC leagues are using hockeytech and the info available is so good. The KI tho is using all the bells and whistles
I've been involved w
@CR_STORM
hockey since '13.
@CoachStone88
was there from the start. Many of the opportunities I've had are because of Lee's influence. He's been generous w his time from the start & considered this ol' PxP guy an asset. Thanks Lee, see you at a rink somewhere
I've been the
@CR_STORM
Broadcaster for 3 seasons. 2 league championships, 3 Cyclone Taylor Cup appearances and I got to be a part of it all. I'd like to thank
@CoachStone88
for making it possible. All the best my friend.
Editing video for
@CycloneTC2019
& here's my major pet peeve...Home teams moving the camera to centre ice when the Away team scores. The folks back home, most of whom are cheering for the Away team, deserve to see their boys celebrating.
@KIJHL
@Pacific_Junior
@vijhlofficial
What a class move by
@CougarsJrHockey
this weekend to reschedule yesterday’s game with the
@CR_STORM
. The Storm have been devastated by injuries, many long term. At last count there are 9 starters out. A stick tap to the Cougars!
Congrats to
@CR_STORM
HC Lee Stone on being named the
@vijhlofficial
Coach of the Year. Lee & AC Travis McMillan have done an incredible job preparing their players considering the depth of injuries this season. Averaging over 4 starters out per game the Bolts played 635 hockey.
I risk ticking folks off but the
@vijhlofficial
has to do a better job of promoting our players. On the website, that I'm really beginning to appreciate, almost half the teams don't have pictures of their players up and no one is taking full advantage of the player media section.
LY, I traveled cross country & caught some Jr B action. Great games but the attitude seemed different. In many regions, B is not considered a stepping stone to the next level. In BC, the players are younger and the
@KIJHL
@Pacific_Junior
&
@vijhlofficial
have advanced players 1/
I'd like to acknowledge the
@NBuccaneers
20 year olds, Noah Goyer, Eric Hanus, Max Lozeman, Ethan Dyck and Dylan Hartl. Thanks gentlemen. I especially enjoyed the play of Mr. Hartl, who was class on and off the ice for the 5 years he wore the Black and Yellow, from AP to 20 bomb.
I'd like to ask all the BC Jr B teams to take a moment and tweet out the names of your broadcast teams. These people are often the connection between the players and the folks back home. We've got some great crews on the Island, how about the rest of BC and Washington?
Today's
@KJHLStorm
win at the
@CentCanadaCup
in Thunder Bay spells the end of the 22/23 Jr. B season in Western Canada. Congratulations to all the Champions from Vancouver Island to Lake Superior!
Alberta JrB TW w our 2nd to last chart. All the leagues will complete their regular season by Sunday. The game to watch is the final game of the
@neajbhl
season on Friday as the
@WWBisons
and Clippers do battle.
@AirdrieThunder
w the best record in the province.
The toughest part of the suspended season is that I didn't have a chance to thank each
@CR_STORM
player for their contributions this year. Despite the adversity you faced gentlemen, you still put together a winning season. In my books, you are all champions. Thank you!
Stephen Stiliadis, Ty Madden, Brandon Tutte, Tomba Huddlestan, Nicholas Polomark, Patrick Poets and Trevor Bottomley, the
@WestshoreWolves
20's. Thank you for your contributions to the
@vijhlofficial
Spent an amazing final day w my buddy of 15 years. Was he a good dog? Heavens No (he & I had some frank discussions about his antics) but he was a great dog, full of mischief & adventure. No matter how old Baxter was, I still saw that cute puppy we brought home.
#MissYouBaxieBoy
.
@KIJHL
The KI will undoubtedly take some heat for this but I believe it’s the right decision. Bravo. Opposition may be vocal but everything in the league’s power must be done to avoid the same outcome as the past 2 seasons.
What a game at the Brindy tonight! It took the
@CR_STORM
79 shots and a 3rd OT to defeat the
@PortBombers
2-1 and take a 1-0 Quarterfinals series lead. Bomber standouts for me were Callum Tung and Carson Steel, for the Storm Jalen Price and Cody Savey. Back at it Friday!
MORE BIG NEWS! We're thrilled to announce the return of Junior A hockey to the City of Quesnel. Welcome to the KIJHL's newest member club, the
@qriverrush
.
Details:
Saturday was my first shift behind the controls in nearly 4 decades. Almost everything has changed except how great the listener is … thank you for your patience and welcoming messages. Back at it next Saturday at 8 am on
@theravenfm
Lost in amongst all the Junior A discussion was some big news for our 20 year olds. Teams will now be able to carry 6 - twenty year olds. That’s important news and will allow many 20 bombs to finish out their Junior career w the teams they’ve grown to love.
I understand the
@vijhlofficial
has one more meeting before the details of the 20/21 season are officially released. Sounds like midweek for news. It'll be a season unlike any other w
@MyHockeyTV
playing a huge role. Like previous years though, the on-ice play will be exciting.
The
@CR_STORM
boys are back in town after a long day on the road. It was my first trip of the season w the boys. They are fine respectful young men (very polite), a credit to themselves, their families and their hometowns.