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Sockeyes host Kodiaks Thursday

Richmond's lone pre-season game is rematch of last spring's PJHL finals
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Returning head coach Judd Lambert (right) is getting the Richmond Sockeyes ready for the upcoming PJHL season

Richmond Sockeyes play their only pre-season game Thursday night when a familiar opponent returns to Minoru Arenas.

The defending Pacific Junior Hockey League champion Aldergrove Kodiaks will be in town for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. It’s the first meeting between the two teams since the Kodiaks captured the league title with a 5-1 game seven victory at Minoru back on March 31.

The Sockeyes coaching staff, led by Judd Lambert, is busy finalizing its roster in preparation for the club’s regular season opener Sept. 11 when Grandview visits Richmond.

Some returning players already include forwards Mathew Bissett, Daniel Oakley, Mac Colasimone and Troy Kaczynski. The blueline will be anchored by veterans Trevor Lima and Jordan Andrews. Kurt Russell gives the Sockeyes experience in net.

Expect the club to have another impressive rookie class. Last season John Wesley led the team in scoring as a 16-year-old and was named rookie-of-the-year. He has since signed with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants.