The Prince George Spruce Kings kicked off the 2024 Pre-Season with a pair of games in the Lower Mainland on the weekend.

Friday September 6th @ Coquitlam

The Spruce Kings got on the board in the opening frame when Antonio Bevacqua banked the puck in off of Express netminder Eric Young, after Brogan McNeil battled the puck to the net to start the scoring chance.

Just 15 seconds after that opening marker, the Express would tie the game up at one with a goal from Matson Waring, who beat Ryder Green from the right point.

There was no scoring in the middle frame, as Green finished up his time in goal stopping 21 of 22 shots in 40 minutes of action.

Just 5 minutes into the 3rd period, Nate Crema was able to slip by the Spruce Kings and get the puck to the net, slipping it under Andrik Lygas to take a 2-1 lead.

With just over 5 minutes remaining in the period, and the Spruce Kings on the penalty kill, Brogan McNeil stole the puck in the defensive zone and looked to have created a clean break. After stumbling against the defense of David Brandes, McNeil would regain his footing and snap a shot under the cross bar to make it a 2-2 game.

The game would need overtime, and Maks Perčič would score the winner as he went end to end, cutting down to the goal line and beating Young to make it a 3-2 Spruce Kings victory. Final Shots on goal were 39-29 Prince George

Saturday September 7th @ Surrey

After a scoreless first period, the Spruce Kings got on the board in the second period as Linden Makow walked down the left side and beat Colton Jugnauth with a wrister to open the scoring.

Carter Wishart got the start in net for Prince George and was solid through 30:27 of action, stopping all 21 shots he faced. His best efforts came right before the 2nd period media timeout, as he made 4 consecutive saves during offensive pressure from the Eagles.

The Eagles came to life starting on a delayed penalty call, as they tied the game up at one when Brandon Gill converted a Sam Elliott pass who beat Ryder Green on the blocker side.

Under two minutes later, Brady Kudrick would get a power-play goal as his redirect snuck over the goal line, before Davis Hails scored on a similar play just 1:29 later.

Then, on a Spruce Kings power play, Ryan Evanhuis was able to walk in alone and beat Green to open up a 4-1 Eagles lead. All told, the Eagles scored 4 times in 5:05 of action.

The third period had the Eagles capitalize on another power play, as Kudrick converted again for his second of the game to stretch the lead to 5-1.

In the final seconds, Cooper Williams beat Jugnauth to make it 5-2 with just 2.8 seconds on the clock. Brogan McNeil picked up the assist. Final Shots were 34-22 in favour of Surrey.

Spruce Kings Bolster Goalie Position, Retool for New Season

The Prince George Spruce Kings are hoping for a turnaround after a tough 2023-24 season. Last season saw them finish with a disappointing 16-35-3-0-0 record, landing them in the bottom of the Interior Conference standings. The team faced the challenge of not only improving their overall performance but also adapting to the BCHL's expansion, which included five Alberta teams joining the league in December.

The key to their turnaround could lie in their goaltending. The team has made significant changes, bringing in Carter Wishart, a 19-year-old Colgate University recruit from Minnesota, as their primary netminder. Wishart has proven himself with solid performances in two junior seasons with the NAHL's Chippewa Steel. He possesses the size and skills that scouts look for, standing at six-foot-two and 182 pounds.

General manager Mike Hawes expressed his confidence in Wishart, highlighting his performance in the Surrey game. "Carter has been a great addition," said Hawes. "He played extremely well in Surrey. We’re very pleased with what we saw. It’s important to have a good goaltender at our level to have any success, and last year we really struggled in that department. With Carter and Ryder [Green], we’re confident we’ve solidified that position."

Green, a 17-year-old from Prince George, also demonstrated potential during his brief stint in the BCHL last season, almost leading the team to a playoff upset against Penticton in a memorable double-overtime loss.

A New Look on Defense

The Spruce Kings haven't just focused on strengthening their goaltending; they've also made improvements to their defense. Maks Percic, a Slovenian with BCHL playoff experience, has joined the team. He previously played in Finland and split last season between the Vernon Vipers and Merritt Centennials.

Hawes praised Percic's contributions. "Maks has been a great addition so far," Hawes said. "He excelled in fitness testing at camp. He’s a very talented and fit player who leads by example and is tough to play against. We’re thrilled to have him."

Another key addition to the defensive line is Jayden Connors, a 17-year-old New Hampshire recruit from Scarborough, Ont. Connors made a strong impression as a junior rookie with St. Michael’s (OJHL), recording impressive numbers (2-21-23).

With returning players such as Evan Bellamy, Trent Ballentyne, Zachery Hachey, and Prince George native Brody Martin, the Spruce Kings' defense looks more formidable than last season.

Hawes acknowledged the work still needed, but he's optimistic about the potential of the team. "It’s definitely a work in progress, and we’re going to need a lot from the returning players. The onus is on them to perform, both as a group and individually," Hawes said. "There are high expectations for our team, and it will start with the D corps."

A Deeper Forward Line

The Spruce Kings have also made a concerted effort to improve their forward group. They've added players with diverse skillsets, aiming for a mix of offensive power, grit, and checking prowess.

Hawes believes the team has achieved the depth they need to succeed. "I think to win at our level, you need nine top-six forwards, and I think we’ve achieved that," Hawes said. "We have a mix of grit, strong checkers, and players who can contribute offensively."

Some of the key players to watch in the forward line include:

• Kazumo Sasaki: A Japanese import who had a successful BCHL debut season, Sasaki is expected to be a key contributor for the Kings. He's committed to Lake Superior State for college hockey.

• Ryan Wachtel: A Princeton-bound right winger from New Jersey, Wachtel has a proven track record of scoring goals in high school hockey.

• Brock Cummings: Acquired from Cowichan Valley in the Luca Primerano trade, Cummings is a six-foot-two, 194-pound center with a strong rookie season under his belt.

• Cooper Williams: A left winger who secured a scholarship at Lake Superior State after a standout season with Compuware 16U.

• Linden Makow: A 20-year-old from Vanderhoof, Makow will be wearing the ‘C’ for Prince George. He's aiming for a significant improvement on his previous season's performance.

• Will Moore: An RIT recruit, Moore is expected to be a valuable asset to the team. He had an impressive season with the Johnstown Tomahawks before undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

With a combination of experienced returning players and promising new additions, the Spruce Kings are poised for a more competitive season.

Eyes on the Prize: Spruce Kings Ready to Face New Challenges

The BCHL has experienced a notable shift in the level of play, especially since becoming independent from Hockey Canada. The addition of the five Alberta teams has brought a new level of talent and competition. This new landscape will push the incumbent teams, including the Spruce Kings, to elevate their game if they want to compete for the title.

The Spruce Kings are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. They are committed to building a stronger team and making their fans proud. As Hawes puts it, "The recruiting for everyone has increased, so the talent in the league is better and higher than I’ve ever seen it. The addition of these five high-end teams elevates our league even more, and teams will have to step up their game to earn points."

The Spruce Kings will return to action this Friday and Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena, facing the Langley Rivermen in a two-game pre-season set. The regular season is just around the corner, and the Kings will be looking to make a statement.