A 7-5-1 record through two months of the Pacific Junior Hockey League regular season is unfamiliar territory for the Richmond Sockeyes until taking a closer look at what exactly they have accomplished.
Simply put, this is the youngest team the successful franchise his iced in at least a decade.
Typically, the Sockeyes’ winning formula has featured a handful of veterans to lead the charge through the first half of the season while their youngsters make the adjustment to junior hockey. This year, it’s been baptism by fire with the club carrying a whopping 10 17-year-olds and eight more 18-year-olds.
“It’s little bit by design and little bit forced upon us too,” said Sockeyes assistant coach Greg Harding. “When we sat down in the off-season, the plan was to have a lot of 17-year-olds. There were guys who we thought were coming back but ended up in junior ‘A’ or going to school. That opened up three more spots.
“It’ really has been a work in progress with so many young guys.”
Mac Colasimone was expected to carry a heavy offensive load, but the Ontario import took his final year of junior eligibility south of the border to play for a Colorado team in the Western States Junior Hockey League.
Quinton Blois and Troy Sutherland were two other potential 20-year-old forwards who didn’t return.
Richmond does have some experience at the back end with captain Jordan Andrews, Trevor Lima and Jeevan Sidhu. However, the latter two have missed much of the season with injuries. Both could be back as soon as this week.
“Usually we have older guys who can help mentor and we can count on early in the season,” continued Harding. “They know exactly what we want and what to expect. Some nights we look really good and the odd night there is a lack of awareness and a little bit of confusion.”
The Sockeyes pulled out a big overtime win over the third place Delta Ice Hawks (8-4-3) last week and also rolled to an easy 5-1 victory over Langley. They visit Aldergove tonight and host Langley Thursday (7 p.m.) at Minoru.
Even with league parity being as good as it ever has been in recent memory, Richmond will be in the playoff mix come late February when its youngsters will have a full regular season under their belts.
“We like our guys and have confidence in them,” added Harding. “The struggle has been getting everyone on the same page and understanding what their roles are. We have high expectations for the end of the season.”
Icing…
One 17-year-old rookie has already come and gone from the Sockeyes. Local product Matt Brown was signed by the B.C. Junior Hockey League’s Surrey Eagles last week. He had the overtime tally in the win over Delta.
General manager Richard Petrowsky was quick to fill his roster spot with another 1998 born player — former Greater Vancouver Canadian bleuliner Sam Atkins who was acquired from North Vancouver.
Brett Gelz, Arjun Badh and Matthew Cox had the other goals in the win over Delta. Kurt Russell made 35 saves. The Ice Hawks were led by a pair of goals from Richmond Minor grad Gary Dhaliwal.
In the win at Langley, Tyler Paterson scored twice, with singles to Justin Schwartz, Alex McLeod and Cox. Russell turned aside 28 shots.
The Sockeyes play two straight weeks of back-to-back games. After facing Aldergrove and Langley on consecutive nights, Richmond has a home-and-home series with North Vancouver next Wednesday and Thursday, with the back half taking place at Minoru. The defending league champs have won four straight to take over top spot in the Tom Shaw Conference with an 11-5-0 record.
