Ice Hawks Impressive Season

It feels like just yesterday that Steve Erickson and I were at Sungod Arena for the Delta Ice Hawks’ season opener on Sept. 7. 

Due to the Ladner Leisure Centre still having its turf from the President’s Cup, the Ice Hawks were forced to find an alternate venue for their first game of the season. 

Looking back, it was one of the toughest days of my life personally, but I’ll always remember having that game to hold onto.

It’s crazy to revisit that game sheet and see names like Micheal Romeo, James Lin and Zach Shaughnessy still in Ice Hawks uniforms. 

Delta opened the season with a 5-2 win over the Langley Trappers, setting the tone for what would be a rollercoaster season filled with roster moves, rivalries and defining moments.

Building Momentum

Following the home opener, Steve and I returned to the Ladner Leisure Centre for our usual Tuesday Night Hockey broadcasts on Eastlink TV, working alongside producer Kevin Adlem and our talented tech crew. 

No matter what else was going on, I knew Tuesday nights would always be my favourite.

The Ice Hawks wrapped up September with a 6-5 record, with Shaughnessy splitting goaltending duties with Merik Erickson, who returned after a season in Lake Cowichan.

October brought more stability, including Erickson’s season debut in a win over Surrey. The team also bolstered its lineup with key acquisitions, including Grady Lenton from the BCHL Coquitlam Express and Rajun Parmar from the PJHL Richmond Sockeyes.

One of the most dramatic games of the early season came on Oct. 29 against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack that saw (former Ice Hawk goaltender) Remy Quintoro return to Ladner, that saw Delta jump out to a 4-1 lead after two periods. 

But the Wolf Pack stormed back, tying the game with 0.2 seconds left before Matteo Pero scored in overtime to seal a 7-6 comeback win.

Dominance and Midseason Changes

November saw the Ice Hawks go undefeated, including statement wins over Ridge Meadows, White Rock and Abbotsford. 

Despite the success, Head Coach Steve Robinson remained focused, emphasizing that the real test would come in the playoffs.

December started with a big win over the league-leading Chilliwack Jets, solidifying Delta as a top contender. 

Ahead of that game, they acquired defenceman Jonathan Soares from White Rock. However, the team faced a setback when Shaughnessy left for the Estevan Bruins (SJHL), opening the door for goaltender Thomas Popa to join the team.

One of the most anticipated games of the season came on Dec. 17 against Richmond.

The tension was high, with storylines including Popa facing his former team, Parmar and Soares going up against their old teammates, and a fierce coaching rivalry. 

The game lived up to the hype, with Delta tying the game late in the third before Dany Bereza buried the overtime winner. The energy in the LLC that night was unforgettable.

Final Stretch and Playoff Positioning

After winning both games at the Winter Classic in Richmond, Delta opened January with a shootout loss to White Rock. 

They later added key pieces at the trade deadline, bringing back Colin Jang and acquiring 2024 Stonehouse Cup champion Evan Fedele.

February featured only three games, but one of the biggest statements came after a loss to Grandview. 

Robinson responded by dressing five AP players in the next game, and Delta exploded for eight first-period goals in a 15-0 rout. 

They closed the season with an OT win in White Rock, finishing atop the Tom Shaw Conference with a 34-10-1-3 record. Mateo Sjoberg led the team with 102 points, just four behind the league leader.

Now, the Ice Hawks await the winner of the North Van Wolf Pack vs Port Coquitlam Trailblazers Survivor Series as they prepare for the Stonehouse Cup Playoffs. No matter who they face, Robinson will have his team ready to go.

A Season to Remember

Throughout this season, Tuesday Night Hockey on Eastlink TV has been my favourite part of the week. 

A huge thank you to Eastlink TV Kevin Adlem, Ice Hawks owner Eduard Epstein, the Delta Ice Hawks organization as well as the behind-the-scenes broadcast TV Production team and the numerous volunteers at the Ladner Leisure Centre.

A personal note from Jagraj:

At the start of the year, I went through a very tough time personally. I felt lost, I was hurting, but this gig—this team—gave me something to smile about.

Delta, thank you.