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Whistler’s Cougars in it to win

McLean, Wiebe earn spots on Squamish junior team
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Squamish Cougars' captain Troy McLean chases Patrick Wiebe in practice, photo by Maureen Provencal

By Andrew Mitchell

Although officially 0-3-0 in the standings after two games last weekend against the Armstrong Sharks and New Westminster Whalers, the Squamish Cougars are hoping to be on top at the end of the regular season and win the first year of the new World Hockey Association’s Junior West Hockey League.

In their first game on Sept. 22 the Cougars were outshot 51 to 33, and lost 6-3. In the rematch this past Friday, Sept. 29, the Cougars were in the game until the very end, eventually losing 3-2. They played the Whalers on Sunday, losing 6-1.

For a team that has only been together for a matter of weeks, and where ages range from 16 to 20 and the previous years’ experience ranges from Junior B to Midget House, it was a start.

There are two Whistler players on the Cougars this year, as well as six players from the Squamish area and one from Lillooet. The rest of the roster is mainly from the Lower Mainland, but there are two Americans in the lineup, one from Florida and one from California.

Whistler’s Troy McLean said he first heard about the league reading Pique Newsmagazine and decided to go to an open tryout for the new league. He wanted to play closer to home this year after being away the past two winters with Junior B teams in Edmonton and on Vancouver Island.

Because of his skills, age and experience, McLean was handed the team captaincy. He says the level of play in the league is equal to Junior B, and will only get faster and better as the season progresses and teams have a few more games under their belts.

“It’s pretty high intensity, like any other junior league,” said McLean. “And it’s more open as well, like the new NHL. It’s a little more run and gun, and there’s a lot of scoring — a real emphasis on offence. The refs are letting us play as well, which is always good.”

McLean played with three of the Squamish skaters in the past when the Whistler Minor Hockey Association and Squamish association joined forces to field a Midget Rep team. While it’s been a while, and there are a lot of new faces, McLean says the team chemistry is starting to come together.

“I know (the three Squamish players) pretty well, which makes things easier, but it’s really a good group of guys that were chosen,” he said.

The team has four on-ice practices each week, and a day of dryland training, which McLean says is actually more intense than other junior programs. He says there is a good work ethic in practice, and a desire to win.

“We haven’t seen any of the other teams, so it’s hard to judge calibre right now but of course we’re all looking to win,” he said. “Any time you can you want to try and take it. We all think it would be awesome to win the first year the league is in existence.”

After this year McLean will no longer be eligible to play Junior, but is keeping himself open to other options.

“There are always other opportunities to play hockey, with the NCAA and colleges in the States giving scholarships, good programs at Canadian schools, or you can always go over to Europe and play over there. I am looking into playing overseas when I’m done, but whatever happens I really hope to keep playing.”

The Brennan Park Arena has sold out the past two games, which McLean says is taking some of the players who have never played past Midget house league by surprise.

“The first game was a little nerve wracking; most of the team hadn’t played in front of that many people before. It was awesome but really intense,” he said. “One of the main reasons I went to Squamish this year was to be close to home, and I had about 20 friends and family at that game, which is something I’ve never had playing away. It really gets you into the game.”

Patrick Wiebe, the other Whistler player, is one of the players that is new to junior hockey. He played Midget house league with the Whistler Winterhawks last season and has to balance the demands of the team with the demands of high school.

“I wanted to keep playing hockey, and there’s nowhere to go after Midget,” he said. “I went to a WHA tryout in Langley, then made it to the main camp in Osoyoos with a lot of other players. They asked me what team I was closest to and where I wanted to play, and of course that was Squamish.”

While there were a lot of players from junior hockey at the tryouts, Wiebe was relieved that a lot of players had the same experience as he did. Although it was a higher level of hockey he says he is more than able to keep up — he even scored a goal in his first game with the Cougars.

“It’s definitely the most serious hockey I’ve played, and most of the guys on the team say the same thing,” he said. “This is faster, more physical. I’m not one of the worst players in there, and I see myself improving a lot with this much hockey and getting used to the faster play.”

As for his role on the team, Wiebe says he pitches in wherever he can.

“I just try to work my hardest out there. I don’t have a specific role, I am on power play and the penalty kill, but otherwise I’m a centre on the third line and just go out there and work hard and create the opportunities I can. I also try to keep the team stoked on the bench, and not get down on anybody — bring a positive attitude to the team.”

Wiebe’s main goal this year was to make the team, but otherwise he’s taking it one season at a time. If he enjoys the year he says he would like to progress to Junior A and possibly play college or university hockey.

“At the end of the year, if I’m still passionate about playing I’d like to progress to the next level. Right now I’m taking it one year at a time, but it’s definitely on my mind.”

The next Cougars game is this Friday, Oct. 6 at Brennan Park against the New Westminster Whalers. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and kids 17 and under. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m., but to get good seats you’ll need to show up a little early.

The Cougars are also still looking for families to billet players. Contact Colleen Baldwin at 604-892-4039 if you are interested in hosting a Cougar.