While the hockey fans in Delta are wrapping up the loss to the Kodiak’s in game six as shown on Delta TV, the league is moving forward with the announcement of a new franchise named the Langley Trappers.

Yes – that’s correct and they will hit the ice this fall and we can only assume that they will play out of the George Preston Arena, formerly known as the Langley Civic Center if you’re old enough to remember?

The Kodiak’s won the Championship for the PJHL while Delta won the hearts of the fans in the area, while Langley are embracing a new addition to the league and if I do say so – long overdue!

The ten team league as it currently sits has operated in the past with a franchise based in Seattle known as the Northwest Americans where Don Chiupka, better known as “Chips” was the bench boss for over three decades and also great at golf and heavily involved in the community, which is imperative to the success of any franchise.

As the league is expanding it’s interesting to note that two clubs have announced coaching changes and we are expecting a third to also make a change, which has been finalized, just not officially announced as of yet.

Port Moody has cut ties with Mike Renner, while Mission City have had their staff resign where at the same time they announce that Mike Renner has been hired as the replacement for that franchise.

The wheel goes round and round and the other franchise that had the bench boss resign were the Richmond Sockeyes where Judd Lambert was the bench boss, but stepped down to pursue other interests and will be replaced by Steve Robinson who was with Seafair MHA.

On a side-note if you’re old enough to remember you will remember when Orland Kurtenbach was the coach and coached against Bill Wilms the current color person who was the bench boss for Kerrisdale.  

We know that the proposed move to Delta from West Kelowna by a local businessman was turned down and rumor has it that this owner is the new owner for the Port Moody franchise in the PJHL.

Being connected with the Delta area I am hearing that the Delta Ice Hawks will “possibly” have new ownership beginning the 2017-18 season and are staying put in Ladner as they have been a staple in the community for a couple of decades making the playoffs in each of the twenty seasons.

One has to ask if new ownership means a new-look team, but in recent conversation with the new ownership group, who will currently remain nameless due to their request.

I don’t expect massive changes to take place, but I do like the spring hockey uniforms they passed out this previous weekend at Sungod to the two teams who will take part in various tournaments this spring.

With all this going on the BCHL is currently still in playoff mode and to the shock of some it was interesting to see Chilliwack defeat Wenatchee Wild who were solid all season long.

With the BCHL producing many talented players we are hearing that former Penticton Vees player Tyson Jost recently signed an entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him last year 10th over and will wear #27 when he is expected to play in Colorado March 31st against St. Louis Blues.

In his two seasons with Penticton, he managed 65 goals, 84 assists for 149 points in 97 games.

He was named Captain for Team Canada West who won Gold at last year’s World Junior A Challenge as well as being named the Vern Dye Memorial Trophy winner as BC Hockey League MVP.

The news in the hockey world never gets old!!