New Home – New Challenge

The Vancouver Giants held their final practice prior to the start of the 2016-17 season on what is now the new home the Langley Events Centre.

Practice was structured, but had several “light” moments where the Coaching staff was having as much fun as the player, both on and off the ice.

Goaltending Coach Paul Fricker had a few moments of one on one with both Kubic and Tendeck who are the starting “tenders” for the season, but it was more of a “fine tuning” session.

As the team gets set to “kick-start” the 2016-17 season we had the luxury of taking Life Vancouver Japanese reporter Kiyomi Guscott to the practice to interview Equipment Manager Shingo Sasaki in what else – Japanese!!

I along with Sportswave photographer Laird Allan arranged this through media/play by play person Brendan Batchelor.

The interview was done following the teams practice and the two sat for almost an hour which was initially set up for half hour.

But we all know what it’s like when you get talking and I’m a good one to talk – just ask Laird about this.

Kiyomi will be covering several games this season in hopes of getting more information out to the Japanese community in the area as well as back to her native country.

You can read it on line at Life Vancouver.

I can tell you she is not only thrilled to have the luxury of covering the Giants this season, she was equally impressed when she attended last week’s press event with myself and Laird.

She had the chance to not only chat with, but also have her photo with Jay Janower of Global news.

Not only will this be a great “fit” for Sportswave it’s great to be able to help promote the Vancouver Giants.

We wish them all the best in the upcoming 2016-17 season and beyond.

Twas The Night Before

Twas the night before the Giants and all through the LEC

Not a Ref or linesman were missing a call

The Sweaters were hung up in the stalls by Shingo with care

In hopes that opening day soon would be there

The players hit the beds early for rest and some care

While vision’s of victory made Coach Jason aware

With Paul Fricker and Yogi dressed to the nines

Brendan Batchelor settled down to see what was fine

When out on the ice there came such a rattle

Coach Tyler new exactly what was the matter

Away to the Sin-Bin he ran in a hurry

Opened up the gate and knew not to worry

To the delight of newly cleaned ice he grinned with a smile

Gave a lustre of logo’s all shinny and new

And what to his visions he did finally see clear

The 2016 Vancouver Giants all decked in team gear

Hearing nothing but laughter and glee from the crowd

The Giants knew it would surely bed loud

Skating and playing and winning in style

The Giants knew the season was theirs by a mile

With GM Glen Hanlon being sneaky and coy

He used his tactics to trade all in style

Winning the season by push and a shove

Play on – play on he stated with a smile

This new crop of Giants were up for the challenge

New home or not the Giants have a winner

When push comes to shove they’ll surely succeed

Thanks to Ron Toigo and group the team’s a success

Playing in Langley is absolutely the best

Skating away we heard the team shout

Play on – Play on and have a great season!!