Giants Sign Babych – Cal NOT Dave

Playing in the footsteps of you Father, regardless of the sport is something some young players have to persevere over time.

Such is the case of newly acquired 1997 born player and now Vancouver Giant Cal Babych whose Father, Dave Babych was a “force to be reckoned with” when playing with the Canucks.

His size often had on-coming forwards questioning crossing the blue-line and quite often thinking twice about going in the corner against him.

Not only is Dad well respected in the hockey circles he is a well respected business man in areas other than the hockey community.

At his summer hockey school in the lower mainland he hosts a number of young players who all have their sights set on the NHL, so of which will only dream of it.

Others might just be fortunate enough to play at either the Pro or Semi-Pro ranks in various areas or locations around the world.

One such young player is North Vancouver’s Cal Babych who was a fourth round pick with the Calgary Hitmen in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

He managed to finish the 2013-14 season with 41 games played, 3 goals and 3 assists with 11 PIM’s.

In the 2012-13 season he played with the Okanagan Hockey Academy Prep team for 4 games, finishing with 2 PIM’s – but he was still young.

He played for the Cougars in PG under Head Coach Mark Holik, who is the Brother-in-Law to Rick Lantz also a former Canuck, so as you can tell the hockey world is small.

The Vancouver Giants managed to acquire Babych from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for a conditional pick in the upcoming 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. Giant’s GM Glen Hanlon stated “We’re excited to add Cal to our group and the Babych Family has an obvious connection to hockey in Vancouver, so Cal will be a welcome addition to the Vancouver Giants organization and if the Giants want one thing, it’s to fit in.”

Babych played 56 games with the Raiders during the 2015/16 season, scoring five goals and nine assists.

Cal mentions that he “doesn’t remember his Dad playing all that much as he (Dave) retired with Cal was three, but he was four when Dave played in Switzerland.”

His first goal in PG was against Lethbridge where he managed to score an empty net goal allowing the Cougars to pull off a 6-2 win.

With the Giants set to hit the ice at the Langley Events Centre September 23^rd, expect to see a new look Giants team that plans on pulling out all stops to entertain the fans with “Hockey with Heart.”

Just in case you were wondering, he was named after Baltimore’ Orioles Cal Ripken Jr.

Other WHL News

Penticton native and executive member of the BC Hockey Hall of Fame Scott Carter was recently hired by the Spokane Chiefs, replacing long-time GM Tim Speltz, who has accepted a role as the Director of Western Area Scouting with the Maple Leafs.

Speltz was first hired by the Chiefs in 1990 guided the Chiefs to both WHL and Memorial Cup titles in 1991 and 2008 respectfully.

He (Speltz) was named as the WHL’s Executive of the Year twice; first in 1995-96, followed by a second selection in 1999-00.

He was named CHL Executive of the Year in 1995-96, so following this tradition will be a hard path for Scott to follow.

Scott was the President of Vaughn Hockey Canada, which he took on in 1996 and recently held a consulting position with the CSSHL.

Aside from this he is a member of the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder’s category and was a founding member of the hall in 1991.

Knowing Scott on a personal note, you will not be disappointed with this selection as the new GM in Spokane.

Congratulation to Scott and I wish him all the best moving forward.