As the Interior Division of the British Columbia Hockey League continues to get log jammed with teams who all seem to be very close or near the top of the standings, I'm beginning to wonder which team(s) are really going to make a run for the Royal Bank Cup. To make that run, some teams will make some serious moves to insure themselves on becoming a serious contender come playoff time. Some of the hockey pundits will tell you that it doesn't matter what you do in December, but rather what you do come March that really matters. In reality and in my opinion, the teams that will have the jam to make the necessary roster moves will undoubtedly be the ones who give themselves the greater chance at playoff success come March and April. Now having said this, teams have to be very careful when they enter and exit players into their locker rooms as one can never tell what these players will bring to the team and how they will interact and what they will do to the ever important team chemistry.

If in doubt, just ask the Westside Warriors if the trade they completed with the Cowichan Valley Capitals to acquire Clinton Pettapiece at last years BCHL trade deadline was in the end, really worth the eventual price they paid. Pettapiece was a points producer for the Warriors and also helped the Warriors finish just three points behind the Interior Champion Penticton Vees, however many close to that situation have debated on whether he was really the right fit for the Warriors. In acquiring Clinton, the Warriors gave up some pretty good players in Chris Zaires, Alex Gellart and Westside's own Kevin Walrod. Walrod and Zaires are currently one two in Capitals scoring this season in the BCHL. On the flip side, the Vees acquired a few different players, including WHL cast-off Nic Knudsen at the deadline. Knudsen, instantly became a hit in the Vees locker room and come playoff time it was Knudsen that was the glue that held the well oiled Vees machine together and was a player that was a main (underrated mind you) cog that helped the Vees claim the BCHL Championship trophy. The Vees would eventually lose to the Camrose Kodiaks for a berth into last years Royal Bank Cup (National Junior A Hockey Champions).

Although Knudsen only played in a total of 37 games including playoffs for the Vees, he turned out to be the real deal and was involved in a trade that the Vees brass can now look back on and say that its was the transaction that turned last years team on their way to the path of success. Although the Vees had the big name power players like Zac Dalpe, Brett Hextall, Mike Guzzo, it was Knudsen who keep that winning Vees team in check and an insured that the group of players left no stone un turned to get to where they had so badly wanted to get for many of the previous seasons. Unlike the Pettapiece deal the Warriors pulled the trigger on, the Vees didn't have to give up any future key components (i.e. Zaires,Walrod, Gellart) to acquire his services.

The beauty of junior hockey continues to be, watching the teams who are willing to bring in players and make moves to better the current teams they currently have. Some as I've just indicated do a much better job at this than others and some continue to struggle finding the right potion for success. As I look at many of the current BCHL rosters, many teams have already done some tinkering with their rosters from the start of this season while some teams have made very few moves. The question remains though, does it do your team more harm to keep tinkering or stay on the path with that you've selected at the early stages in training camp.

With only twelve points separating first place from fifth place in the Interior Division, and the January 10th deadline fast approaching, it’s going to be a fun time and I'm quite sure some really good games will be played in the New Year.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!

After reading a recent editorial by Penticton Western News sports writer Emanuel Sequeira, I felt obligated to echo and add to some of the statements he made.

Mr. Sequeira was bang on and couldn’t have been more correct when he talked about the costs and particulars in regards Global Spectrum and the new events center.

Although I must confess, I was truly skeptical of this events center prior to the building and eventual completion, I have been sold on the design and beauty of the (almost finished) product. Now having said this, I cannot say the same in regards to the current operators of the events center.

A few questions to ponder in regards to this wonderful facility and its current operators who have been contracted by the City of Penticton to manage it.

Is this a public building? The reason I ask is simple. As many folks within the Penticton area have done for years, we have chosen to do our daily walks and exercise within the confines of public buildings (Memorial Arena and most recently The Events Center). A few weeks ago, my mother and I wandered over to the SOEC and after completing a few laps, a fine gentleman (I use gentleman lightly) came over to us and in no uncertain terms said that the building was closed to the public at present! Now I ask you, who is paying for this building? No where did it indicate on any entrance that the building was in fact closed, nor has it ever been published as so. Furthermore the Vees were practicing.

What's ironic about this little encounter is that I was there two-fold, firstly on assignment reporting for a local sports story that I was currently writing for local media, and secondly I was joining my mother for a little exercise. Just what kind of media do these clowns want anyhow? Do these individuals think this is big city Vancouver or what? If so, the time to stop has already expired, as residents should be able to enjoy this new facility, both on a casual basis as well an event basis.

In regards to parking issues, why do the entrances and exits off of Ekhardt Avenue remain closed? Is this poor planning coming off the desk of the designers or will these ever be open to the public? After attending different events at the SOEC, parking is most certainly an issue and will continue to be for some time I'm sure.

After purchasing tickets for both the monster trucks as well other events, I'm left wondering where and what these service fees attached to tickets purchased represent. Recently I was charged both a two dollar fee for a so- called facility fee and an additional two dollar fee for a convenience fee on each ticket purchased! I would like someone to please inform the logic behind these fees? I find it disturbing when Global advertises a twenty dollar ticket, and then they tack on an additional four dollars in fees when you go to purchase tickets at the box office. Do the math – on a venue that has 2000 tickets sold, that’s an extra $8000.00 per event. Please inform the small town folk of Penticton and areas where those monies go! Now I've heard part of your ticket goes to parking. If that were the case, one would think there would be enough parking to eliminate having to park at the Golf Club.

Is it not enough that Global and their prices are forcing families to smuggle in their own bottles of waters and snacks into these events? Honestly, who is this company catering to? Young families? Seniors? I don’t think so! And by the attendance alone (for Vees games) I will suggest the prices are way, way out of line, not only on the admission, but the food, service charges and such.

As well, there is a minor hockey dilemma with the fee increase that is now in effect with Global taking over both Memorial and Global's ice sheets. As most parents in minor hockey will tell you, the ice costs have risen so much that parents alike are being forced into decisions that they would rather not deal with. If you talk with minor hockey and their people, the registrations are down and kids are being priced out, and that’s a fact.

Now I do understand that prices had to go up for this facility and for the the usage of it, however enough is enough! Is it only me who thinks Penticton's great deal goes much further than the government assistance in building this thin?

Here's a scary thought for folks to think about. These prices are a reflection of year one for Global Spectrum. Without saying for sure, if I were a betting man, you can be assured the prices will most likely be going up rather than down in the coming years to see attractions at this great new building.

Out with the dated but very historic Memorial Arena and in with the new age South Okanagan Events Center. When the Penticton Valley First Vees play their last game on Friday Sept 26th against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the old barn on Power Street and the lights get turned off, a new era of hockey and entertainment will commence in the city of Penticton.

Although many memorable games and seasons of hockey have been played at Memorial, the time is now and the people from Penticton and the surrounding areas are soon to enjoy the new building. The SOEC will be new but with it, will come a very different hockey atmosphere. The smaller confines and that homey feel of Penticton Memorial Arena will exit, while the much larger and big city glitz and glamour will enter with the SOEC.

The SOEC was designed by NORR Architectural Services, Inc and Giffels. Global Spectrum Facility Management has been contracted by the City of Penticton to manage, operate and maintain this new state of the art facility. Global Spectrum also manages 72 facilities throughout North America and is part of the worlds largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast-Spectator. Comcast-Spectator also owns the likes of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL as well as the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association to name a few.

This new home of the Vees will be the class of the BCHL that will include many unique features including retractable seating as well as many high tech features both inside the building as well as outside. The 50,000 square foot roof will be supported by clear trusses which are supported by two columns.

Another impressive feature will be the comparable NHL quality four sided score clock that will be an amazing site in itself. The venue also has one concourse full of wide open space as well as the newly named Valley First Vault Bar and Grill.

The "Vault" will seat 150 patrons and feature world-class cuisine and wide variety of famous Okanagan fine wines. The SOEC will also be a Green facility that will incorporate a high standard and utilize many different systems to maintain this practice. One of the many features includes the "Eco Chill artificial ice system. This system offers the potential of 100% heat recovery from the refrigeration system, providing significant potential operating cost savings and the GHG emissions reduction.

A few other interesting Event Center Facts include : cost to build 70 million plus, 5,000 pounds of of steel were used to build the events center, there will be three main entrances, six concession stands, twenty eight luxury suites, A Penticton Vees fan store will be housed in complex, The BC Hockey Hall Of Fame will be housed in complex, Hockey Seating Capacity is 5,200, First Hockey Game - September 27, 2008 against the Westside Warriors, First Concert - October 14, 2008 Fiest.

SOEC Director of Marketing and front man Ryan McCarthy states," with upwards of 1,400 seasons tickets sold for Vees games, we are hoping for a 2,000 paid attendance per game!"

With a jump in ticket prices which now are comparable to the WHL Kelowna Rockets, its going to be interesting to see just what kind of numbers the Vees do draw on a continual basis.

I'm quite sure that the Vernon's and Salmon Arms of the world may draw upwards to 2,500 however, I can't say the same about the Merritt's and Quesnel's of the world. Times are sure to be challenging and much different when it comes to the game of hockey in the South Okanagan in the very near future.

Last week the National Hockey League and the hockey world have had some high points as well as one major low point.

The highs of course are coming from the very exciting and well played Stanley Cup Finals that see the older Detroit Red Wings clash with the much younger and upstart Pittsburgh Penguins.

The lowest of points came out of New Brunswick with the tragic news of the motorcycle accident that claimed the life of 21-year old, Vancouver Canucks prospect, Luc Bourdon. All I can say is why and how could this happen to such a promising young man who had so much going for him? How is it that a person who had what many would call a dream life is taken from this planet and his family so soon? Life at times just doesn’t seem fair! Just twenty one years young, and his precious life is over!

Although his career ended way to soon, the memories of his brief playing career both in the junior ranks as well the NHL will last forever. Bourdon carved out a four year major junior career in the Canadian Hockey League with the Val-d'Or Foreurs, Moncton Wildcats and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Luc was not known as a real tough and mean spirited player at his defense position, but more for his calmness and knack of making the smart play more often than not.

As a two time gold medal winner on the World Junior stage with Team Canada, Luc was certain to eventually capture one of the coveted top four defenseman positions on the Vancouver Canucks blueline one day. The Canucks had high hopes for the player from Shippagan New Brunswick, whom they drafted 10th overall in the 2005 National Hockey League entry draft. That same draft the Pittsburgh Penguins selected super star Sidney Crosby.

Sadly Bourdon only appeared in 28 National Hockey League games with the Canucks, registering 2 goals in 28 games.  The rearguard played his one and only professional season with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey league last season, playing in 41 games and collecting 14 points.

Although I'm not a huge fan of teams retiring jersey numbers, I think it would be a nice gesture by the Canucks to do something in this case. Possibly a placement of a small patch with the #28 in memory of Bourdons sweater #28 on this year’s Canucks jerseys might be a nice thought. RIP Luc, you will be missed.
 
Sadly, Bourdon is not the first junior hockey player to have his NHL career cut short by a motor vehicle accident.

Michel Briere of the Pittsburgh Penguins was in his hometown of Malartic, Quebec preparing for a wedding when he was involved in a car accident on May 15, 1970. During the accident, Briere was thrown from the car and suffered massive brain injuries, inducing a coma. During his time in intensive care, Briere would be in a coma for almost seven weeks. After the coma, he would fade in and out of consciousness for almost one year. After this and four major operations to help recover from his injuries, Briere died in the hospital on April 13, 1971, at the age 21.

Briere would have his number 21 retired by the Penguins. The number 21 was the only number the Penguins had retired until Mario Lemieux retired in 1997. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League also renamed its MVP award the Michel Briere Memorial Trophy in 1972. The Pittsburgh Penguins also present the Michel Briere Rookie of the Year annually to the seasons' best rookie player.

As Briere's junior hockey statistics would indicate, he was certain to have a very promising career in the NHL ahead of him. He was selected in the third round (26th overall) in the 1969 entry draft by the Penguins.
During his junior career with the Shawingan Bruins, Briere was a dominant force, scoring 129 goals, 191 assists, and 320 points in just 100 games.
During his first and only NHL season, Briere would be a key component to the Penguins as they went to the 2nd round of the playoffs in the 1969–70 season. He would score 12 goals and 44 points, good for third in team scoring. At this time, many scouts were predicting that the slightly-built but fast Briere would be a top NHL star for years to come.