A trio of Eagle Ridge inline hockey players tasted victory as members of a B.C. select team competing at two recent tournaments in Las Vegas.
Forward Cory Hatcher, defenceman Brandon Wilson and goaltender Josh Buchner led the team in all areas of the rink, as B.C. won gold at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics.
Hatcher led the attack with a tournament-leading 18 goals and 10 assists in six games. He helped the Canadians post a 4-0-2 record, which included a 4-2 win over a California team in the final.
“We all played for an Eagle Ridge team at this tournament last year and we knew what the competition was going to be like,” said Hatcher, who will suit up for the junior B Westshore Wolves in ice hockey this winter. “We had to play some very good teams that were well-coached.”
Wilson was a rock on the point, while Buchner stood up to whatever was thrown his way, said Team B.C. coach Jim Hatcher, Corey’s father.
“Brandon Wilson was incredibly strong on the back end and controlled the pace of the game each and every shift,” the coach said. “Josh Buchner backstopped the team to the undefeated record including one shutout.”
The second tournament, a FIRS (Federation International Roller Sports) sanctioned event, saw the B.C. boys win three straight games before dropping the final 3-1 to a team from Alberta.
All three players again had standout tournaments, with Hatcher leading all scorers with 15 goals and 11 assists. He and Wilson combined for an incredible + 51 rating overall.
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