PJHL 2024-25 All-Star Game

While it took a long time to bring it back, the PJHL recently played their All-Star game which was hosted by the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers located adjacent to the Terry Fox Plaza.

The event saw each conference face-off in front of a  sell-out crowd that saw several minor hockey players wearing their jerseys showing their pride for their team.

A few pre-game festivities with announcements and the regular intro drew a loud cheer when the Trailblazer players were introduced to the crowd.

In conversation with PJHL Commissioner Trevor Alto I asked him why and how this came to be again which he mentioned “The league executive and it’s member teams thought it only right to have a game that would showcase the leagues top talent.”

Clearly anyone who watched the game can’t argue with that statement as the talent on the ice showcased the growth of the league as they advanced their status to Junior A.

This came together after the recent prospects game hosted by the Langley Trappers and played at the George Preston Arena which was also  a sell-out putting their up and coming talent on display as the league continues to grow.

The league is made up of two Conferences, the Tom Shaw Conference and the Harold Brittan Conference, both named after league executives who were extremely instrumental in the growth of Junior Hockey in the lower mainland.

Each team was made up of three tenders’ who suited up for twenty minutes of action that showcased their talent as they put on display their acrobatics throughout twenty minutes.

David Yoon opened the scoring for the Tom Shaw conference at 8:31 only to have the Brittain conference tie the game at one on a goal from Hudson Koch at 12:58 with the first end tied at one.

Shots after on saw the Shaw Conference narrowly outshoot the Britton Conference by a 15-13 margin in a period that saw the teams trade minors.

The second period saw not only quality goaltending but impressive fast paced action by talented young players all looking to make their mark in the hockey world.

The second saw the Brittain Conference narrowly outscore the Shaw by 3-2 margin with only one minor while Dwayne Paul-Cruz stopped 14 of the 16 shots he faced while Mathias Hasselman stopped 10 of the 13 shots he faced.

The last twenty saw each team play their third tender that saw Nicholas Muc stop 10 of the 13 shots he faced while Garin Wickstrom stopped 11 of 12 after sixty minutes.

With the game ending tied at five which only seemed fitting for the resurgence of the PJHL All-Star game O/T would prove to be entertaining but extremely short-lived that saw Delta’s Mateo Sjoberg jump on a loose puck hammering it past a startled Nicholas Muc 16 seconds in giving the win to the Tom Shaw Conference.

Connor Jarvis (1G/1A) was named game star for the Harold Brittain Conference while Connor Hughes (1G/2A) was named game star for the Tom Shaw Conference.

Thanks to Brayden Stewart, Brandon Koop, Braydon Cameron and Owen Middleton for officiating the fast paced 2024-25 All-Star game.

Harold Brittain was 1-3 on the PP while the Tom Shaw Conference was 1-2 on the PP in the special teams unit while the Shaw Conference finished with 44 shots to 38 for the Brittain Conference.

Rating the return of the PJHL All-Star game conversation with fans attending the game they would rate it a 10 out of 10 while the Scouts rate it 10- of 10 in on-ice product but only a 5 of 10 in how they were treated.

The later was only due to the fact that they were forced to pay to scout the players and while you might think “why would they rate it like that” it’s due to the fact that they use their scout pass for various other events and don’t pay.

Given my “two-cents” worth, if that was all that went wrong that can be corrected for any and all future All-Star games as the PJHL heads into the new era of PJHL Junior A Tier One status.

Personally I would like to thank Trevor Alto, Rob Toor, Rick Hopper and a cast of thousands for accommodating Kevin and myself with Eastlink TV for their time for all interviews.

The only question we were asked is “Where is the other media and why were they not at the game” sadly I can’t answer that question.

We can’t wait till next year’s All-Star game – whoever hosts it!!!!

Congrats to the PJHL and the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers for putting on a first-class game.