Cyclone Taylor Cup Final and Cowichan Valley Trade Report

The Victoria Cougars came so close, in fact double OT close, to lifting the Cyclone Taylor Cup in Abbotsford. However, it was not to be as the host team Abbotsford Piltos, led by captain and former Grizzlies Bret Kolins would send the local fans into a frenzy with scoring in the second OT period. Garret Lynum, would score to brake the hearts of Mark Van Helvoirt team as they left with a very respectable silver medal capping off a great 2011/12 season for the Esquimalt outfit.
With victories over the Pilots in the first round robin game and then defeating the KIJHL champs, the Beaver Valley Nighthawks, the Cougars put on a great show and really promoted the level and standard of the VIJHL.
Well done Cougars and heck of an effort.
The Pilots will now go onto the Western national Junior B championship known as the Keystone Cup, which is held this year in Saskatoon.

Brett Kolins

Good luck to Brett and the Pilots as they now carry the BC Junior B banner.

                                           

Recently reported on eliteprospects.com, the Cowichan Valley Captials have traded away two of their top players in forward Brandon Mistal and defender Brayden Sherbinin to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Unknown at this point is weather this is part of a futures trade or a trade that players going back to the Caps are still to be announced. Whatever the details, those are two quality Junior A players Salmon Arm have acquired, including Mistal being a former Salmon Arm Silverback himself.

Also on the Salmon Arm front, highly regarded Junior Coach, Troy Mick has returned to the S'back as Head Coach/GM. In what was an up/down season in the Shuswap last season, it is hoped Mick can turn the Silverbacks back into contenders in the Interior Division.