sockeyes' remembrance day ceremony game - 13th November

Story by Steve Erickson

Halloween came early for the Sockeyes considering they served up treats over the Aldergrove Kodiaks in a contest that saw Beaudy Beaudin notched a hat-trick scoring three goals in the win.

Notching three goals seemed easy considering that the third goal was on a penalty shot in the last minute of the spirited match-up that saw the officials assess numerous penalties to each team.

Richmond skated not only to a 7-1 win that saw them grab all three stars with Beaudy Beaudin named first star, Teo Lin second star and Charlie Swartz third star while Oliver Read went home with the win.

Next up saw them visit the Trailblazers in a contest where Read was given the night off sending Mathias Hasselmann in net where he stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced in the 4-2 win.

This game saw Port Coquitlam jump out to a 2-0 lead early in the first only to have Alex Kielmann grab two with the first at 7:36 while the second and tying goal was at 14:57 on the power play.

This match-up wasn’t as spirited as the previous game but this had more shots on goal with Sockeyes Mathias Hasselmann turning aside 35 of the 37 he faced while Keiran Caughran stopped 41 of the 44 he faced.

Alex Kielmann was named games first star while Charlie Gardiner and Bailey Ewonus were named second and third respectively.

Returning home was the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony game with the White Rock Whalers visiting the “Fish Tank” stealing a 3-2 win in a fast paced spirited game in front of over 300 fans.

The Sockeyes welcomed the flag party from the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Bicknell on the ice followed by the trumpeter who played the Last Post followed by one minute of silence which he then played Rouse.

The building was in “awe” with the professionalism shown by the young cadets that might have some join the Armed Forces as a career.

Our thanks to the 609 Steveston Squadron Trumpeter and the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps for their participation that saw the dignitaries step on the ice.

First on the ice was the Commanding Officer of the 195 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Bicknell, Lefttenant Olga Kapustina.

She was followed by the Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 609 Steveston Squadron Major Amy Mei and third was the Commanding Officer of 2381 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, Captain Raven McCallum.

Both team Captains came together for the ceremonial face-off which saw the teams face the flag for the anthem after which the fans gave the color party a resounding applause.

Once over it was game on that saw Sockeyes Dawson Sucke open the scoring at 4:06 controlling the first only until 19:55 when the Whalers tied the game bringing a face-paced first period to an end.

This contest saw Armann Kaila get the start for Richmond who stopped 38 of the 41 shots he faced while the Whalers started Garin Wickstrom who turned aside 40 of the 42 he faced.

This game had all the hype for another Remembrance Day Ceremony game that continues to draw a solid crowd each year.

The Sockeyes return home for upcoming games each Thursday with the opening face-off at 7:05 pm.

Story by Steve Erickson

As a hockey fan I continue to be impressed with the individuals who are selected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame each November.

There is no question that the selection committee has  to make interesting and difficult decisions as to who they nominate to enter the Hall thereby joining other prestigious individuals.

The event is held on the Friday evening prior to the annual game that see’s Montreal travel to Toronto in an original six match-up which continues to be a sold-out event with tickets grabbed early.

While we promote all sports its important to Canada’s National Winter Sport that has embraced thousands to play the game not only in Canada but around the globe giving both young girls and boys to play the game they love.

Story by Steve Erickson

The following is the press release from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and we appreciate the chance to share it with you.

Enjoy the read:

Mike Gartner, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced that seven individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in both the Player and Builder Category. 

The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.

“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Gartner. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”

In the Builder Category, two individuals were elected.

Hockey has been Colin Campbell’s life for the past 52 years: as a player, coach, and for the last 25 years as Senior Executive Vice President at the NHL’s Hockey Operations, Officiating, and Central Scouting departments. 

Raised in Tillsonburg, ON, Colin has been involved in all facets of the game, including winning a Stanley Cup in 1994 as associate coach of the New York Rangers.

After his playing career, David Poile began his journey as an NHL executive with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. He moved with the Flames to Calgary for two seasons before being named the GM of the Washington Capitals in 1982, a job he held for 15 seasons. 

In 1997, David moved to Nashville as GM, a position he held until 2023. 

A member of the USA Hockey Hall of Fame, he is also the winningest and longest-tenured GM in NHL history.

“I’m happy for my family and for the life I have been able to live through hockey,” said Poile. “Thanks to the Selection Committee for this tremendous honour.”

In the Player Category, five individuals were elected.

A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Natalie Darwitz played for Eagan H.S. before joining the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2002. 

She led Gophers to a national championship over Harvard in 2005, scoring the winning goal. Internationally, she played for the United States at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games. 

Natalie also represented her country in eight world championships, winning Best Forward in 2008.

Pavel Datsyuk was born in Sverdlovsk, Russia on July 20, 1978. After first playing in Russia he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 and played 14 NHL seasons, scoring 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 games. 

A four-time Lady Byng Trophy winner, he also won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. 

In international play, Pavel played for Russia at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 (where he was team captain) and 2018. He won Olympic gold in 2018 and bronze in 2002.

“I have been lucky in my hockey life to this point,” said Datsyuk. “I would like to thank all of the people who have helped me along my way.”

Jeremy Roenick was born in Boston, MA, and went from Thayer Academy to the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL. 

In 1988 he made the jump to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played eight seasons before moving to the Phoenix Coyotes. 

In his 20 NHL seasons he played for five different teams. Internationally, he represented the United States on numerous occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. 

Jeremy finished his career as the second-highest American born goal scorer in NHL history. 

By the time he retired in 2008-09, Jeremy was the third-highest American born goal scorer in NHL history (behind Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk).

“I’m so happy, I can’t thank everyone who was behind this honour enough,” said Roenick. “I’m at a loss for words and I’m never at a loss for words. Getting over this last hockey hurdle means so much to me.”

Born in Sicamous, BC, Shea Weber starred for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, winning a Memorial Cup in 2004. 

After his junior career he turned pro with the Nashville Predators in 2006 and was team captain for six seasons. In international play, he won gold with Canada at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014. 

Overall, Shea is a member of one of hockey’s most select clubs winning the Western Hockey League twice, a Memorial Cup, World Juniors, World Championships and the Olympics.

Krissy Wendell was born in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and led Park Center High School to a state high school championship in 2000. 

Our second Golden Gopher Inductee, she became the first Minnesota and WCHA member to win the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2005. 

Internationally, she played for Team USA from 1999 to 2007 – 147 total games, including 106 goals, six IIHF World Championships, including 2005 where she was MVP in the United States first ever gold medal win. 

Krissy represented the United States at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics Games, serving as Captain in 2006.

The 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, November 11, in Toronto (preceded by the traditional slate of “Induction Weekend” events beginning on Friday, November 8, including the annual “Hockey Hall of Fame Game” hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sunday’s “Hyundai Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic” featuring Honoured Members Jayna Hefford and Eric Lindros as captains). 

Stay tuned for further announcements in the upcoming weeks which will be posted here at HHOF.com and other HHOF social media platforms.

Thanks to Kelly Masse, Hockey Hall of Fame for the press release
416-933-8212

kmasse@hhof.com / @kellyhockeyhall

Story by Steve Erickson

If you ask some in the hockey circles they will tell you that the decision between the CHL and the NCAA had to reach a solution and while this might not be the final word, we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out?

We received two statements from both the WHL and the CHL and we wanted to share their remarks.

Enjoy the read:

Western Hockey League Commissioner Dan Near today issued the following statement regarding changes to the eligibility rules for NCAA men’s hockey:

Finally making the decision that took far too long, CHL players are now eligible to compete in NCAA D1 Hockey beginning in the 2025-26 season. 

This marks a historic outcome that will be celebrated by all who have invested in the on- and off-ice development of young players.  

This decision creates opportunity for the brightest elite hockey players in Western Canada and the Western U.S. to now choose the WHL as the preferred destination for their development from the age of 16-20, without fear of compromising their NCAA eligibility. 

Clearly it’s the players who drive the WHL in all of the 22 Clubs and if you ask many they will tell you that they enjoyed their time playing in the league noting the overall coaching techniques they learned.

In addition some that we have spoken to will tell you that they enjoyed their billet families while living away from home. 

We received the following press release from the league. Enjoy the read:

We are thrilled that upon graduation from the WHL, players will have additional options as they pursue the next step in their personal and hockey journey.  

We look forward to the opportunity to welcome a new wave of talent and we take great pride in our responsibility to support all WHL players in the pursuit of their goals – be that on the ice, in the classroom, and as contributing members of the community.

Players completing their eligibility with the WHL will continue to receive access to our leading post-secondary scholarship, funded by our 22 Member Clubs.  

In the 2023-24 season, the education bills for over 300 WHL Alumni were paid directly by the League and Clubs totalling in excess of $3 million in funding. The WHL is proud to continue this practice.

The best in the West can now look forward to chasing their dreams alongside one another in the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players – the Western Hockey League.

The following is from the CHL

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) along with its Member Leagues, the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), are aware of the rule change announced earlier today by the NCAA which alters the eligibility of CHL players allowing them to play NCAA Division 1 Hockey starting next season.

While we will take time to fully review this rule change, we believe this is a positive development that will provide our players with more opportunities to continue their hockey and academic careers following their time in the CHL.

 It will also give young players and their families more options in choosing their development path, which includes opening up the CHL – the best development hockey league in the world for players aged 16-20 – to more players worldwide.

For 55 consecutive years, the CHL has been the number one supplier of talent to the NHL. 

At the beginning of the 2024-25 NHL campaign, there were 390 CHL graduates on NHL rosters, marking once again the most of any development league in the world. Additionally, at last summer’s 2024 NHL Draft, the CHL led the way as 88 CHL players were drafted including 14 in the first round.

Stay tuned – many think this is only the start!!

Story by Steve Erickson

Coming off an impressive 9-1 win over the Surrey Knights the Sockeyes would take their winning streak on the road playing against the expansion Coastal Tsunami for a pair of games in Gibsons.

As with most expansion clubs it’s hard to know their game plan either on offense or defense let alone how they have studied their game video.

Credit has to be given to the Coastal Tsunami for reaching out to the community to fill the seats for the game and in conversation with some of the Sockeyes they were not just impressed but shocked. 

Friday’s game saw the Sockeyes start Mathias Hasselmann who faced 22 shots stopping 20 while the Tsunami went with Nick Peters who was pounded with 82 shots stopping 79.

The game itself was a spirited match-up with eight penalties assessed to Richmond and nine to the Tsunami.

Beauty Beaudin collected his ninth goal of the season while on the PP at 10:18 of the first only to have Nathan Hughes get his first of the season while also on the PP.

The game remained tied until 14:19 of the second when Michael McIntyre notched his first while also on the PP giving Richmond a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Beaudin got his 10th of the season and second of the game at 3:27 allowing them to hold a 3-1 lead but only until 17:58 when Istvanffy pulled them with one and held on for a 3-2 win.

Game two of the match-up saw the Sockeyes send Armaan Kaila in the blue paint facing 38 shots stopping 36 while the Tsunami started Finn Morrison who faced 35 shots turning aside 33.

The teams traded goals in the first with the Tsunami opening the scoring with Sockeyes Captain Teo Lin even the contest at 12:44 wrapping up 20 minutes with the game tied.

Lin got his 9th of the season at 2:52 only to have Nottingham grab a PP marker ending the second again tied but the third saw Nicholas Noren got a shorthanded marker sending the Sockeyes home winning both games 

Playing a pair of games took its toll on the team returning home having to recover from injuries would see them face the Ice Hawks with Oliver Read playing a full sixty facing 44 shots turning aside 38 while Delta went with Merik Erickson who stopped34 of the 36 he faced.

The first saw Delta jump out to a 3-2 lead with Noren (13) and Shin (8) scoring for the Sockeyes only to have Delta grab one in the second, two in the third while Sockeye Charlie Swartz got his third of the season.

While Read failed to get a game star he was named third star for the broadcast on Eastlink TV for his impressive performance.  

Returning home saw them pull out a 6-3 win over Mission City followed by a 8-4 win over the Steelers.  Scoring isn’t an issue that saw them manage 23 goals allowing 17 in the above games; but winning means playing a full sixty and as a unit plus getting healthy bodies back in the line-up.