All sports are about numbers and never more than early in a team’s season. Your Heat hockey club is no different – so let’s get to some numbers:
0 – The number of days until the first regular season game versus the Creston Valley Thundercats. It’s at 7 p.m. at the Art Holding Memorial Arena tonight (Sept. 11). Be there!
1 – The number of 16-year-old rookies who made the opening day roster, an aggressive energy-filled youngster from Quesnel – Nolan Parr.
2 – The number of goals scored by your team in a 4-2 exhibition loss versus the North Okanagan Knights. There were 17 rookies in the lineup vying for a spot on the 23-player roster. They played their hearts out against a veteran-laden crew in front of 268 hockey-starved fans.
3 – The number of goals scored by the Heat in an exhibition tie versus the Sicamous Eagles. This frenzied tilt saw two veteran rosters go at each other like game 7 in the playoffs. Crash and bash all through this clash!
4 – The number of assistant coaches to Head Coach Brad “Foxy” Fox – Kurt Torbohm, Casey Patterson, Cody Inkster and Shane Mainprize, all back for another season.
5 – The number of 20 year olds on this year’s roster – Captain Trevor “Oak” Okino, Assistant Captain Braden “Hughie” Hughes, Assistant Captain Alexander “Durbs” Durbeniuk, Tommy “Brownie” Brown and Travis “Church” Churchill.
8 – The number of rookies on this year’s roster. Pat Brady (Lillooet), Ethan Buck (Dawson Creek), Tony Dennis (Chase), Michael Fidanza (Kamloops), Grady Musgrave (Merritt), Nolan Parr (Quesnel), Kyle Riley (Quesnel) and Craig Stewart (Calgary).
16 – The number of different places the lads call their hometown.
17 – Wannabees –came to Main Camp in an attempt to play for the Heat – eight will!
19 – The September date the first annual Alumni Game is played at 3 p.m. in Chase. The worn-out oldies from the Chase Chiefs take on recent retirees from the Chase Heat. Admission by donation and the profit goes to Chase Minor Hockey! Tail Gate Party/Beer Garden/50/50 – laughs and giggles for a great cause.
23 – The roster that includes two tenders, seven d-men and 14 offensive very forward dudes.
26 – The number of regular-season home games we would like to see you, the loyal reader, attend this year.
It’s early and there is tons of optimism with 100 per cent commitment from players and staff to having a successful 2015-16 season. The exhibition attendance figures were a huge surprise and greatly appreciated by the club and society! See you at Art Holding Memorial Arena soon!
