At first glance, Ryan Chan and Pearce Eviston have little in common besides being junior hockey players. They donB次元官网网址檛 know each other and they play on different teams in different leagues.
But a deeper look tells the story of two players in similar places. How they got there is a different story, but where theyB次元官网网址檙e going is also similar.
The 20-year-olds have both played with their current teams before B次元官网网址� Chan with the VIJHL Victoria Cougars and Eviston with the BCHL Victoria Grizzlies B次元官网网址� and were returned for the Jan. 10 trade and roster deadline after time away.
Both teams are first in their respective leagues, and both players play big roles as they chase a championship.
Chan was with the Cougars when the team lost in overtime of the Cyclone Taylor Cup final last year. An accomplished academic, the Pacific Christian School grad took this year off hockey to focus on the heavy switch from sciences to engineering at the University of Victoria.
When Cougars assistant coach Suneil Karod phoned Chan early in January, it caught the 5-foot-5 forward by surprise.
B次元官网网址淚 hadnB次元官网网址檛 given up on the thought but I also hadnB次元官网网址檛 seriously thought about coming back,B次元官网网址� Chan said. B次元官网网址淎ctually, the first semester this year was all about filling in some of the gaps that hockey filled, which took up so much time.B次元官网网址�
Chan returned to playing guitar with regularity, taking lessons, and took up squash.
B次元官网网址淚 wonB次元官网网址檛 do those, but even so IB次元官网网址檒l still miss some hockey practices. Not much, and I shouldnB次元官网网址檛 miss any games.B次元官网网址�
His return has boosted the speed of the already-fast checking line, and was instrumental in last SundayB次元官网网址檚
B次元官网网址淐hanB次元官网网址檚 work ethic is incredible. He does whatever heB次元官网网址檚 told,B次元官网网址� Cougars coach Mark Van Helvoirt said.
EvistonB次元官网网址檚 history with the Grizzlies is more complicated.
The Grizzlies recently acquired him from the Vernon Vipers.
In an odd way, however, Eviston is now the longest-standing Grizzlies player. The 6-foot-1 forward from Vancouver originally played for the Grizzlies in 2009-10 as an affiliate. He broke out as an 18-year-old in 2010-11 with 38 points in 44 games. It was one of the best Grizzlies teams of all time, and heB次元官网网址檚 the only remaining player from it.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so much thatB次元官网网址檚 different now. That (2010-11) Grizzlies team was great, it was a good organization. But coming here is a breath of fresh air. WeB次元官网网址檙e the top of the league and everyone meshes together. Bill Bestwick is a phenomenal coach.B次元官网网址�
When the GrizzB次元官网网址� playoff run ended in March of 2011, Eviston hooked up with the Portland Winterhawks, and played in 12 of the WinterhawksB次元官网网址� 21 playoff games en route to the 2011 WHL finals.
In the meantime, the Grizz had moved EvistonB次元官网网址檚 rights to the Vipers, where he returned this year.
Like Chan, Eviston is looking beyond hockey to university, though Eviston is hoping CIS is an option. He has two years paid for from the WHL.
Whatever their path is beyond hockey, Chan and Eviston know this is their best chance to win a cup for Victoria.
sports@vicnews.com
