One member of the Surrey Eagles and three other Peninsula residents are headed to Russia this week, to represent Canada at the 2011 Russian Invitational Tournament.
Surrey Eagles blue-liner and Delta native Mitch Jones – who had 11 goals and 42 points this past season, tops among the team’s defencemen – was named to the squad last week, as was South Surrey resident Troy Paterson, a former Semiahmoo Minor Hockey alum who now plays for the BC Hockey League’s Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Paterson, 18, is the son of former Surrey Eagles owner Ronnie Paterson. The elder Paterson – who is still is president and alternate governor of the Eagles, though he no longer owns a stake in the club – is also heading to the tournament, to be held in Podolsk, Russia, as the Canadian squad’s general manager.
Rounding out the local contingent is South Surrey massage therapist Larry Martin, who is part of the team’s medical staff.
And while he is no longer a Surrey resident, the squad’s head coach is Tim Kehler, a former Eagles’ assistant coach who is now the bench boss for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
In Russia, the Canadian squad will face off against the Russian national junior team, a Russian Select team and the Slovakian national junior squad.
“We’re incredibly excited to be making this trip and giving these young men an opportunity to represent their country,” said Ronnie Paterson in a release.
“It’s going to be very worthwhile for these players and good for the BCHL, as well.”
The team leaves Friday, April 8 and returns April 19.
