The Selkirk College Men’s Hockey program will open defence of their 2012-13 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League championship on Friday night when they host Eastern Washington University in their league opener at the Castlegar Recreation Complex at 7:30 p.m.
Prior to puck drop, the team will raise last season’s championship banner to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony.
The Saints will have a tough challenge on their hands if they hope to match the accomplishments of last season’s team that set new BCIHL records for wins and points in a season and strung together 13 consecutive victories to open the year. But they do return most of their key players from a year ago, including top forwards Trail native and former Smoke Eater Logan Proulx, Scott Swiston, Thomas Hardy, Cody Fidgett and Connor McLaughlin.
Selkirk wrapped up its eight-game preseason schedule with a pair of decisive wins over Trinity Western University, outscoring the Spartans by a 9-1 margin last weekend. On Saturday, the Saints outshot their league rivals by a 52-23 margin in a 5-1 victory and looked to be in midseason form.
“We had a long training camp and preseason again this year, but the performances — especially this last weekend against TWU — looked much like they did when we were at our best last season,” says Saints head coach Jeff Dubois. “My feeling is that our group isn’t going to take past success for granted. We’re fully motivated to pick up where we left off and be a top team in the BCIHL again.”
Friday’s opponent is able to boast more success against Selkirk last season than any other BCIHL club, as Eastern Washington handed the Saints two of their three regular season losses. But the Eagles did have a tough time in Castlegar, where they dropped all three decisions by a combined score of 15-8.
Tickets for Friday’s game will be available at the door for $8 Adults and $5 Selkirk students and staff, seniors, and children 6 and older.