As the clock struck zero for the final time at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena on Sunday you could sense a passing of the torch amongst two players from the Prince George Spruce Kings.
20 year old captain Stephen Penner played his final game of Junior A hockey while 17 year old forward Kyle Johnson wrapped up his first season in the BCHL.
Johnson finished the season second in team scoring with 41 points only behind teammate and fellow rearguard Matthew Steif.
Johnson says despite not making the playoffs, it was a very good year development wise. “I was really happy with my year. I was given a lot of opportunity with this team and was nice as a rookie which should only bode well for the future.”
“It was a product of a lot of good work by my teammates and coaches.”
Penner finished his final season with 4 goals and 7 assists in 58 games playing a shut-down role while also assuming the club’s captaincy after Jake LeBrun was dealt to the West Kelowna Warriors in January.
He says it was an absolute blessing playing in front a friends and family on a nightly basis. “It was a dream come true. Growing up watching the Cougars and the Spruce Kings it was always a goal to play for one of the bigger teams in town.”
As for his future plans, Penner says he will take some time to ponder his next step. “I have a couple of options I am thinking about so I am going to wait a month to make a decision but I will be attending school somewhere.”
Over the course of his 4 year BCHL career he played 166 games with 134 of those wearing the Spruce Kings colours.
Penner had a brief stint with Trail Smoke Eaters playing 32 games after getting dealt last season by Prince George before being re-acquired last summer.
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