The VIJHL All Star Classic is Jan. 15 at Pearkes Arena, prospects at 1 p.m., skills competition at 2:30 p.m. and all-star game at 3:30 p.m.
Ty JonesB次元官网网址� incredible scoring run has not only picked the Saanich Braves up by the collar and dragged them to second place in the South division of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, itB次元官网网址檚 resurrected his hockey career.
The captain is considered the leagueB次元官网网址檚 MVP heading into the Christmas break. Needless to say, heB次元官网网址檒l be representing the Braves when they host the VIJHL All Star Classic on Jan. 15.
ItB次元官网网址檚 quite the turnaround for Jones, who was released by the Cowichan Valley Capitals to start the B.C. Hockey League season.
Once he found his junior B stride, Jones scored 44 points in 15 straight games from Oct. 5 to Dec. 10. Jones, who turns 19 on Dec. 29, is available to sign a permanent card in the BCHL but isnB次元官网网址檛 moving unless itB次元官网网址檚 the right fit.
B次元官网网址淛ones isnB次元官网网址檛 just getting calls from BCHL teams every day, but heB次元官网网址檚 getting calls from NCAA schools too,B次元官网网址� said Braves coach Brad Cook.
Last week, scouts from Elmira College in New York, an NCAA Div. III hockey program, attended Braves practice and talked at length with three players.
B次元官网网址淛ones is a player we probably wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get if it isnB次元官网网址檛 for the shortened BCHL rosters this year (down to 21 players). People are realizing our league is an untapped resource. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of the better junior B leagues in Canada.B次元官网网址�
The Braves all-star selections include veteran forward Sam Johnston and 16-year-old rookie sensation Jack Palmer, whoB次元官网网址檚 eighth in league scoring B次元官网网址� a benefit from playing with Jones. Rookie defencemen Jaden Schmeisser, whoB次元官网网址檚 playing full time with the Victoria Grizzlies, and veteran Hayden Long have also been named to the all-star team, along with goalie Tanner McGaw.
Much needed break
On Thursday the Braves visited the Victoria Cougars in the final game before the break (results were past press time). It was the Braves first game with a full bench after a string of injuries, suspensions and call-ups limited them to just 13 skaters in a 4-1 loss to Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Dec. 10.
Grizzlies prospect Sam McMullen was out with concussion, while Brandon Parmar (five games), Connor Krupa (four) and Jordan Groenheyde (four) were all out with suspension.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had to really stretch my hand out to the different organizations to get kids in their first junior games,B次元官网网址� Cook said. B次元官网网址淲e used midget players from the South Island Thunderbirds and from Saanich, Juan de Fuca and Racquet Club minor clubs.B次元官网网址�
The BravesB次元官网网址� call ups were surprising with Thunderbird Liam Carradine recording a hat trick in his first game on Nov. 4, and defenceman Tom Dakers of Racquet Club playing a remarkably composed, stay-at-home game for the Braves in his debut in the Dec. 10 game.
sports@vicnews.com
Tickets to the Jan. 15 all-star game are $15 for adults -and $7 for children. Contact Anne McIntyre at anne@gericconstruction.com.
