Story by Steve Erickson
Changes in the off-season saw the team add the necessary pieces to continue on the road to bringing a championship to the City of Richmond.
Given that former Captain Matthew Stewart has moved on only to being over aged the Sockeyes have found their new leader in Richmond’s Teo Lin who collected 24 goals and 41 assists while also collecting 6 power play goals as well as 3 short-handed goals in only 45 games.
Head Coach Cullen Revel mentioned “ I have the utmost confidence that Teo will bring a championship culture to the team” while he has the full support of a full roster behind him.
Teo mentioned “It’s a role that I don’t take lightly and will take all necessary steps to continue the winning culture to the city” which he will.
When you look at the team overall there are various individuals behind the scenes who work tireless hours during games as well as countless hours.
One such individual is Sukhjit Sanghera who is the Sukhjit Sanghera and not only keeps the players on the road to recovery, but at times is like the “team Mom” and given the respect it goes without saying she deserves it.
As you can imagine she is the first to attend to injured players should she be needed and has the full support of ownership and coaching staff to respect her decision.
Over the summer and pre-season the coaching staff have assembled quality players who over the first three regular season games have outscored the opposition by a 22-5 margin.
Pre-season has seen the play of both Oliver Read and Mathias Hasselmann play solid between the piper turning aside several quality shots delivered from the opposition.
Putting the line combination together isn’t an easy task adding Safety Harbor Florida Beaudy Beaudin (6’1”) adds to the speed the opposition will face through the season.
In saying that, it should be noted that his Grandfather was the first player signing of the Winnipeg Jets of the now defunct World Hockey Association playing with the likes of Bobby Hull.
So as you can see talent seems to go from one generation to the next, but in order to achieve success you have to have the drive to achieve success.
Success for the Sockeyes means reaching out to the community and the most recent was attending the opening day with the Richmond Ravens Female Hockey Club who are strongly supported by the Sockeyes.
In our next feature we will feature “Know the Team” and introduce you to the team who are focused on bringing you top quality Junior “A” hockey in Richmond at the “Fish Tank” each Thursday evening.
The Sockeyes appreciate and thank our sponsors and community partners where the emphasis is “Great Hockey, Fun Atmosphere and Great Value.”
September 30th will see the Sockeyes host the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation where you will receive a 50% off if you wear an Orange Shirt.
If you have any questions you would like from a specific player or team member, reach out and we’ll add it to our “to do” list.
Sockeyes
Recipients of 2023/2024 BCHL scholarship program - Sept.13th
Story by Steve Erickson
Always great to promote officiating as the third team on the ice for all leagues and we recently received the following from the BCHL as five officials are the recipients of the BCHL Scholarship Program, supported by Rogers, for the 2023-24 season.
After gathering submissions throughout last season, the BCHL has selected five players who will receive a $2,000 scholarship award to attend a Canadian post-secondary institution.
This year’s recipients are:
Tristan Baumung – Spruce Grove Saints (Red Deer Polytechnic)
Alexis Cournoyer – Prince George Spruce Kings (Brock University)
Ranvir Gill-Shane – Victoria Grizzlies (University of Toronto)
Trey Patterson – Chilliwack Chiefs (Mount Royal University)
Zander Stewart – Powell River Kings (Brock University)
“Our league prides itself on our focus on education, making sure our athletes are setup for success once they graduate from the BCHL,” said league Commissioner Steven Cocker. “We would like to congratulate these five deserving recipients and wish them the best as they continue to pursue their hockey and academic goals.”
“We would also like to thank Rogers for their support of this initiative, as well as their support of our league as a whole.”
The scholarship program is designed to provide graduating BCHL players with financial support for the next step of their hockey and academic careers.
The winners were selected based on their academic record, their stated future career and education goals and their time spent in the BCHL.
For the past five years, the BCHL and Rogers, together with Shaw, have awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarship funds to 25 different graduating players from the league.
Photo Credit - BCHL
Story by Steve Erickson
As school returns for another year; the Richmond Sockeyes are excited to enter their 53rd season in the PJHL as they hit the ice at Richmond’s Minoru Arena for their home opener.
Thanks to the Mayor and Councilors, the dignitaries as well as partners who attended the 2023-24 home opener against the Grandview Steelers.
The success of the Richmond Sockeyes is in part due to the community as well as the numerous volunteers who donate their time to help make the Sockeyes a top notch program for the City of Richmond.
Cullen Revel returns as the Head Coach and is excited noting that the coaching staff took the summer to analyze both the positives and negatives of last season and realistically it’s hard to have any negative take away from the overall record.
When you take a deeper look at some of the things that come with having a streak and record like they had last season you don’t face the adversity you need to when they faced the Flames in the seven game series.
Like the Sockeyes they also had an extremely strong record who obviously recalled the loss against Delta in game seven and that experience is invaluable and moving forward the Sockeyes look to learn on what they have to improve upon.
Bringing in new players it’s essential that they get “up to speed” noting that the veteran players hit their stride early as they move forward.
Entering the season the Sockeyes have lost five players who have “aged out” and currently have ten players away at WHL. BCHL, AJHL or other camps and are waiting on their status noting that some might not return.
In the meantime several players have been signed to fill positions from the players that have departed last season as well as filling specific needs they might require this season.
It’s interesting to know that if some players return the Sockeyes have been somewhat conservative with the numbers they have signed knowing that they never wanted to be in a spot with too many players. Should some players return then and only then decisions will have to be made for players to play at this level with another team creating an opportunity for the players not wanting to jeopardize their career. Goaltending is always an issue and at press time it’s uncertain as to how things play out for Thomas Popa in Alberta as well as Noah Stenvig in Wenatchee and make the necessary decision when they know better.
One area the Sockeyes focus on is that last year’s players have developed enough so they will have the opportunity at the next level giving the chance they deserve.
If you ask Cullen how camp this season differed from his first last year he mentioned “it was a bit different in the sense of direction where they were” noting that teams are getting recruitment done much earlier.
With the game taking on more of a “global game” teams reach out to billet families who are essential for any team and become life-long friends throughout their career.
The Sockeyes are involved in the community and welcome you to become a member of the Richmond Sockeyes Family.
Make plans to attend one of the upcoming home games as they face-off against the Surrey Knights September 8th at 6:30 pm followed by a game against their rival in the Tunnel Series against the Delta Ice Hawks September 12th at 7 pm.
