The Richmond Sockeyes are sitting at the top of their conference as 2023 wraps up, a year that saw new coaching staff in their first year as a Junior A Team.
Entering the season, the Sockeyes underwent major changes as the coaching staff moved on from the previous year.
In the off-season, the league elevated its status from Junior B to Junior A tier 2, setting their sights on playing for the Canadian Junior A Tier 1 Championship.
The progression will require all teams in the league to undertake changes that will not only elevate their status, but also grow the league to introduce the league and the fans to that of a world status.
The Sockeyes have their sights set on not just growth, but also overall development within the City of Richmond.
Training camps were held in the late spring and summer, with the new coaches making honest and direct assessments for everyone attending the camps.
The new coaching staff include head coach Cullen Revel, assistant coaches Hardarshan Hoonajan and Spencer Beattie and Bob Delorme as an associate coach.
Pre-season PJHL games started in August, followed by eight games in September that saw the Sockeyes manage seven wins and one loss to the rival “Tunnel Series” Delta Ice Hawks.
The one loss played heavy on the Sockeyes as they entered October with nine games lined up both home and away. They finished the month winning seven and dropping a 4-2 loss to Delta as well as a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pilots.
But November saw them pull out eight wins in eight games. December was a repeat with the Sockeyes again winning eight games.
They enter the Christmas break sitting in first place overall in the Tom Shaw Conference with 62 points through 33 games.
This alone shows the overall depth of the Sockeyes, led by captain Matthew Stewart who is surrounded by one of the strongest supporting casts.
The PJHL returns to league play for the annual Winter Classic with all 14 teams playing a home and away game with the first hitting the ice Thursday, Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. All games will be played at Minoru Arenas.
The first of four games on Thursday will see the North Vancouver Wolf Pack face off against the Port Coquitlam Panthers at 10 a.m.
Games continue on Thursday at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. with the Sockeyes facing off against the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the last game of the day.
Games continue at the same times on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, Dec. 31, there will be games at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Sockeyes are thankful to the community, volunteers and families for all the support they have shown and are extremely dedicated to putting the best product on the ice for your enjoyment.
