Vancouver Island Jr. Hockey League fans from up and down the Island will converge on Oceanside Place this Sunday as the hometown Save-On-Foods Generals host the 2013 VIJHL All Star Classic.
“It’s certainly going that’s for sure,” Elizabeth Cudmore, Oceanside Generals’ Jr. Hockey Club secretary and board member said this week when asked how the lead up to the big annual is going.
“We had our final board meeting yesterday,” she said, explaining “although we’ve done a lot of planning and prep work and booking, there’s still a lot to do. Just little things like filling in the name bars on the jersey’s; getting the program together; pulling together scouting information; getting the signage ready, stuff’s coming in fast and furious, but were looking good. Everything’s coming together, and we think we’ve got a really good showcase coming up.”
Oceanside Generals selected for Team North are goalie Kiefer Giroux; captain Joe Chase on defence, and forwards Cam McCarrick, Riel Gibson and Travis Flug.
Earning the nod in the Prospects Game are Oceanside’s Alex Mastrodonato in goal, along with D-men Chandler Bruyckere and Ryan Buse and forward Michael Fretz.
The big day kicks off at Parksville Community Centre Sunday at 11 a.m. with a banquet.
Those up and coming players selected to the Prospects Game (1:30 p.m. start) will wear their team unies and take home a commemorative T-shirt.
Following the Prospects Game at 3:30 p.m. there will be a Skills Competition with the All Stars vying for fastest skater and shoot-out honours.
The All Star Classic pitting Team North against Team South gets underway at 4:30 p.m.
For one General playing out his final year of junior hockey and playing in his first-ever VIJHL All Star game, Sunday will sure to be one of the highlights of his time here.
“It feels really good,” the Generals’ captain said easily this week when The NEWS caught up with him. The 6’5” blueliner from Olympia, Washington, is in his third season with the Generals, and confirmed “it’s nice to (be selected) in my 20 year old season,” then made the point that while “it’s nice to get recognized for personal stuff,” in the bigger picture, “as a team I think we we understand that it’s important to play well and get some momentum heading into the playoffs, and I think the coaches are giving us all the tools that we need to win games and accomplish our goals.
“I love it here,” he said easily when asked about his time with the Gens. “I definitely wanted to finish off my junior career here in Oceanside. You couldn’t ask for a better place to play.”
For more information including full roster and ticket information go to www.vijhl.com.
GAME ON: The Generals are in Campbell River Friday night then return home Saturday to take on the Nanaimo Buccaneers (7:30 p.m. start).