Happy New Year!
Coming up with the top Prince George sports story in 2015 was easy.
In fact, I would suggest the hosting of the Canada Winter Games was clearly both the number one “NEWS” and “SPORTS” story in P.G. last year.
2015 had countless highlights which may take many years to top.
Here are 10 Prince George sports stories that grabbed the headlines.
Let the debate begin about my selections from #2 to #10.
Canada Winter Games overwhelming success
Prince George was put on the national stage and excelled with a first class Canada Winter Games that made the city proud.
In addition to superb efforts from countless volunteers and organizers, many local athletes used home cooking to their advantage.
Eight athletes, either from Prince George, or currently living in the city, earned at least one medal at the Games.
Emily Dickson captured four medals in biathlon, including an individual gold plus a team relay gold.
Snowboarders Meryeta O’Dine and Evan Bichon earned individual gold in the snowboard cross.
Carolina Hiller took three silver in long track speed skating.
Claire Lapointe captured gold in biathlon relay (same team as Dickson).
Lavanna Laass earned silver in judo, Justin Hempole took bronze in figure skating and Tony Proctor got bronze in mixed team archery (along with Emerie Watson of Quesnel).
In total, 40 per cent of P.G. athletes reached the podium.
Canucks come to Prince George
For the first time, the Vancouver Canucks held their training camp in Prince George.
Thousands of fans flocked to the three day camp at CN Centre which raised more than 80 grand for local minor hockey programs.
The Canucks camp ended with an inter-squad game that was decided in a shootout.
Prince George Cougars make the playoffs
The Prince George Cougars made the WHL playoffs for the first time in four years as they finished 3rd in the BC Division with a record of 31-36-2-3.
The Cougars averaged 2,852 fans in their first season under the new EDGEPRO ownership, an increase of 1,159 fans from the previous season under Rick Brodsky.
The Cougars 2014-15 season concluded following a 5-4 overtime loss in Victoria as the Royals took the first round Western Conference quarter-final series 4-1.
PG Spruce Kings win a playoff round
Following a 27-24-6-1 record in the 2014-15 regular season, the Prince George Spruce Kings beat the Langley Rivermen four games to two.
It was the Spruce Kings first BCHL playoff round victory in 10 years.
The Spruce Kings were eliminated in the Mainland Division Final as they were swept 4-0 by the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Knezevic rocks at BC Scotties
Patti Knezevic of Prince George won her first Scotties BC Women’s Curling Championship.
Knezevic, along with 3rd Kristen Fewster, 2nd Jen Rusnell and lead Rhonda Camozzi, scored two in the extra end to beat Sarah Wark of Victoria 5-3 in the final to capture the Provincial title in Maple Ridge.
(The Knezevic rink went on to represent B.C. at the National Scotties Tournament in Hearts in Moose Jaw.
They finished last with a 1-10 record.)
Medals at the Pan Am Games
Three Prince George athletes excelled at the Pan Am Games in Toronto.
Pitcher/first base Amanda Asay helped the Canadian women’s baseball team to a silver medal.
Inner City boxer Kenny Lally captured a bronze in the bantamweight 56 kilos class.
Canadian champion Alyx Treasure finished 7th out of 16 in the women s high jump.
Cariboo Cougars capture Mac’s and reach BCMML final
The Cariboo Cougars won the Mac’s AAA international midget hockey tournament in Calgary for the first time.
The Cougars took the final 2-1 over the Regina Pat Canadians in double overtime.
After a first place finish in the BCMML regular season, the Cariboo Cats lost the Provincial final on home ice falling 5-3 and 6 -4 to the Vancouver North East Chiefs.
(Note: The Cariboo Cougars were eliminated in the 2015-16 Mac’s tournament on New Year’s eve with a 5-2 loss to the Lloydminster Bobcats in the semi-finals)
Provincial title for Northern Cougars
The Prince George based Northern Cougars (now called Northern Capitals) became the 2014-15 B.C. Female Midget AAA hockey champions. They nipped the Fraser Valley Phantom 1-0 in the third and deciding game of the best of three final.
The Northern Cougars had their season end in Edmonton as they lost 3-1 and 3-2 in triple overtime to the Alberta champion Edmonton Thunder in the regional final.
(Note: The Northern Capitals began 2016 by winning the Mac’s female division final today in Calgary. The Caps exploded with four unanswered goals in the 2nd period to beat the Rocky Mountain Raiders of Okotoks, Alberta 5-1).
Timberwolves qualify for Canada West playoffs
Men’s basketball topped the UNBC Timberwolves Canada West sports teams.
The Timberwolves men’s basketball team made history with a second place finish in the Canada West Explorer Division with a 12-8 record.
UNBC lost two close games (88-78 and 83-77) on the road to the heavily favored UBC Thunderbirds in the opening round of the playoffs.
Deschamps runs to Vanier Cup title
Kelly Road grad Brandon Deschamps helped the UBC Thunderbirds win their first Vanier Cup championship in 18 years.
Deschamps, in his 5th and final year of CIS football, ran 44 yards for a 2nd half touchdown as the T-Birds scored a 26-23 victory over defending champion Montreal Carabins in Quebec City.
(Note: Deschamps would end 2015 by signing a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.)
PGSS Polars set new standard
The PGSS Polars senior boys football team blanked Robert Bateman 19-0 to become the first team from Prince George to beat a Lower Mainland team in the Provincial high school football senior playoffs.
The Polars, who easily captured the PG Bowl title with a 50-13 victory over Duchess Park, had their season end when they lost 34-20 to Carson Graham of North Vancouver in the Senior AA varsity quarter-finals in Kamloops.
Yes, it’s hard to believe we have already said goodbye to 2015.
To you and yours, a very happy, safe and prosperous 2016.
From the Quote Rack:
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t always behind the times. They’re the first NHL team to install statues outside their
building and on the ice in the very same season.
Steve Simmons of Sun Media
A report reveals that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spent over $82,000 on food at NFL games. Christie defended himself, saying, “Hey, both of those games went into overtime.”
Conan O”Brien of TNT
Michael Jordan wants to have his vasectomy reversed. He reportedly told the doctor, ‘Just Un-Do It.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
In a series of new ads, The NBA has enlisted stars Carmelo Anthony, Steph Curry and Chris Paul to speak about gun control. No word on whether they can find any players to address birth control.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
The NBA has suspended Memphis guard Matt Barnes two games for his role in a preseason fight with Knicks’ coach Derek Fisher. Asked if would appeal the penalty, the chastened Grizzlie said he would “just grin and bear it.”
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin
Dallas Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones says he doesn’t plan any major changes going into 2016. Which is awesome news. For comedy writers and the rest of the NFC LEast.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
And in case you missed it:
The Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year is Serena Williams. Or American Pharaoh if you ask Steve Harvey.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller