TRU and KIJHL's Storm preparing for Championships with exhibition series

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey team is gearing up for their first B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League postseason, while the Kamloops Storm are preparing to host the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Junior “B” Championships.

With some time on their hands, both teams have solved the problem of keeping ingame shape, as they will hold a pair of exhibition games against one another. The first will be Saturday March 13th at Memorial Arena. The second will be Monday March 15th at the McCarthur Island Sports Center.

“As the end of our regular season approached I was worried about the two and a half-week break between our last regular season game and our first playoff game on March 18th against UFV,” said WolfPack Head Coach Chris Hans. “Our travel budget has been considerable this year and wanted to avoid travel for exhibition.”

“When the Storm were eliminated from the playoffs I proposed the exhibition games to Barry Dewar (Storm owner/GM) whose team is facing a longer layoff than ours.”

The result was the arranging of the two games. This is just the latest chapter in what is proving to be a growing and positive relationship between the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team and the WolfPack.

“We support the WolfPack hockey team in many ways not the least is by attending their events whenever possible,” says Dewar.” David Gore, Jassi Sangha, Jose Reyes, Mick Ludvig, Joel Leonard and Cody Lockwood are a big part of the Wolfpack just like they were with the Storm . We are so proud of them, almost like they were my own kids. I see two or three of this year's team playing for the Wolfpack next year, and perhaps another 6 or 7 when they are ready to attend college and their junior careers are over.”

“Barry has been supportive and helpful with the TRU hockey program since its inception and I hope that these games help the Storm as much as they will help us.” Says Hans. “I also hope to get some recruiting in as we show the graduating Storm players the level of competition in the BCIHL.”

Dewar says he is a bit concerned with the age difference (the Storm have some 15 year old players), but Hans believes it won’t be a problem.

“We are using these games a tune up to playoffs and I will move a few players in and out of the lineup to get an idea who is ready for our playoffs.”

By all indications, both games will be exciting.

Says Dewar: “I think the game will add some excitement for both teams in preparation for a championship run. The Wolfpack are highly skilled and motivated and the Storm will rise to the challenge.”

Hans adds: “Thanks should go out to the Storm because these games are coming at a very important time for us and hopefully will help us be as prepared as possible for BCIHL playoffs.”

Gametimes are 9:15 PM on March 13th at Kamloops Memorial Arena and 7 PM on Monday March 15th at the McCarthur Island Sports Center.