The Richmond Sockeyes will have a new divisional opponent next season with a familiar face running the franchise.
The Pacific Junior Hockey League announced Sunday it will expand to 12 teams with the addition of the White Rock Whalers. The team will play out of Centennial Arena on Saturday nights. The franchise will be owned by Ronnie Paterson who had been part of the Sockeyes ownership group for a number of years.
The Whalers will be part of the PJHL’s Tom Shaw Conference where they will be joined by the Sockyes, Delta Ice Hawks, Grandview Steelers, North Vancouver Wolf Pack and Port Moody Panthers.
A previous franchise, also called the Whalers, played at Centennial Arena from 1985-1989. The stint included winning the league championship in 1988.
The Sockeyes also announced Brett Reusch will be returning next season as head coach and veteran defenceman Matthew Brown will be his team captain, taking over for the graduated Tyler Andrews.
