–The 1-1 Prince George Cougars welcome the 1-0 Kelowna Rockets for their home opener Friday. The same two teams also meet Saturday at CN Centre.
Before the Friday game, Save-On-Foods will be hosting a barbeque from 5:00 PM – 6:30 pm. During the barbecue, fans will hear a free concert from Prince George’s premier Celtic band, ‘Out of Alba’ who will be performing from 5:30 – 6:30 on the CN Centre rooftop.
Prior to face-off, there will be a ceremonial puck drop celebrating the arrival of the New Ice Age.
During the first intermission, the Cougars in conjunction with the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation will reveal the amount raised by the Third Annual Prince George Cougars Alumni Hospital Charity Golf Tournament that took place in mid-July at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club.
After the game fans are encouraged to stick around for the new and improved Cougars radio post-game show which will run live on 94.3 The Goat. The Cougars broadcast team of Dan O’Connor and Hartley Miller will conduct the post-game show in front of a live audience on the concourse outside Section Q. The post-game show will also feature an interview with Cougars head coach Mark Holick and a Cougars player.
–Prince George Spruce Kings goalie Jesse Jenks has accepted an NCAA division 1 scholarship to the University of Alaska Fairbanks of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) for the 2015/2016 season. Jenks will join Spruce Kings co-captain Chad Staley, who is also committed to The University of Alaska Fairbanks next year.
–The Prince George Spruce Kings continue to juggle their roster as they gear up to play road games Friday and Saturday in Coquitlam and Sunday in Surrey. The Spruce Kings have released 18-year-old defenseman Jake McCarthy and added 18-year-old defenseman Alex Stoley from Manteca, California and 18-year-old forward Cooper Leitch, who is from London, Ontario.
Stoley is 6’0” 180lbs and played last season for the Golden Sate Eagles Midget team coached by long time Spruce Kings scout Mike Holmes. The 6’2” 215lb Leitch comes to P.G. from the Belle Tire Midget Program in Detroit where he was a teammate last season with Spruce Kings rookie defenseman Matt Stief. McCarthy will return to his hometown near Boston and play for a junior team in the USPHL.
–BCHL commissioner John Grisdale has signed a three-year contract extension with the league. Grisdale has been in charge of the BCHL since the 2003-04 season. The league has won four RBC Cup national championships during his tenure. Over the last five years, the BCHL has averaged 126 college commitments per season for players.
–The 2-0 Major Midget Cariboo Cougars have their first league road games of the season as they visit the Vancouver NE Chiefs Saturday (9:30am) and Sunday (8:30am). The Cariboo Cats next home games will be against the Vancouver Greater Canadians Oct 4 (4:45pm) and 5 (11:30am) at Kin 1.
–The UNBC women’s basketball team begins pre-season play by hosting Trinity Western tonight (Thursday) at 8 and Friday at 6pm at the Northern Sport Centre. The Lady Timberwolves also entertain Grande Prairie in an exhibition Sunday at 10am.
–The UNBC soccer teams host U of Victoria Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2:15. UNBC is 1-5 in the men’s standings and 0-4-2 in the women’s division.