The Prince George Cougars began their preseason with a 6-4 victory over Red Deer followed by a 6-5 overtime loss to Medicine Hat. Both games were played in St. Albert. The Cougars continue exhibition play when they host Edmonton Friday and Saturday.
–The P.G. Cougars have hired former NHL forward Roman Vopat (Litvinov, Czech Republic) as an assistant coach. The 38-year-old Vopat had a 16-year professional hockey career that included 133 games in the NHL. After he retired, Vopat turned his attention to coaching. Most recently he served as the head coach of the Kimberly Dynamiters of the KIJHL for half of the 2012-13 season and the entire 2011-12 season.
–The P.G. Cougars have signed 1997-born defenceman Kobe Eagletail (Calgary), 1996-born forward Colby McAuley (Sherwood Park) and 1998-born goaltender Tavin Grant (Burnaby) to a standard WHL contract.
–The Prince George Spruce Kings play their first preseason game tonight against the Silverbacks in Salmon Arm. The Spruce Kings have trimmed their roster from 40 to 28 which includes 4 goalies, 8 defencemen and 16 forwards. 7 of the 28 players are from Prince George.
–The UNBC Timberwolves soccer teams have concluded their preseason. The UNBC men had a 4-1 win followed by a 1-1 tie in a pair of home exhibition games against TRU. The UNBC women lost 3-0 and 2-0 to TRU in exhibition games in Kamloops. The Timberwolves begin their CIS season hosting UBCO Saturday at noon and 2:15 and Sunday at 10am and noon
at the Rotary NCSSL fields.
–Jim Van Bakel ran to victory in the 17 mile class in a time of 1:43:09 at the 41st annual Labour Day Classic. The 8 1/2 mile champions were Nicholas Bartell (men) and Jacquie Petterson (women). 113 participated.