Priestlay back in WHL as Giants’ assistant coach

Ken Priestlay is back in the Western Hockey League.

A high scoring centre during his junior days with the Victoria Cougars, the Seafair Minor Hockey grad is starting a new career as an assistant coach with the expansion Vancouver Giants. And even though it means getting used to those sometimes long bus rides again, it’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to.

“(Coaching) was always something I wanted to do after playing,” says Priestlay, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL Entry Draft and won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He says his experience, particularly playing on two Cup winners, is invaluable.

“Any time you go through the regular season battles and playoff wars like that you get something out of it,” he says.

Priestlay thinks he can use his experience to help the young players realize their goals, while at the same time learning as much as he can in his quest to eventually become a head coach.

“I’m fortunate to have played for some good coaches and learned a lot from them,” he says. “I think I’m a players’ coach because I understand what the players are going through.

Crusaders building volleyball juggernaut

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Cambie nets junior and senior tournament titles

The Cambie Crusaders appear to have a high school volleyball juggernaut in the works.

Following the lead of the senior team which won a 32-team tournament at Simon Fraser University last weekend, the junior side was equally effective in earning top honours at a 20-team event at Douglas College.

And that old MVP, character, played a pivotal role.

After dropping the opening game of the final 25-18 to MEI Eagles, the Crusaders won two straight 25-12 and 15-4. Kailee Savage, who along with Stephanie Ens was a tournament all-star, was unstoppable.

“They couldn’t get a block on her to stop her middle hits,” said coach Eric Ens.

Ens and associate coach Jane Spearing also put Rudi Kitzmann at the power spot to help generate more scoring opportunities. Along with Shayain Gustaap, Kitzmann consistently provided the Crusaders with strong serves, while Tara West and Vanessa Fung were solid defensively.

Ens is hoping the Crusaders can continue to improve as they position themselves for a strong run at the provincial title.

Hosts of this season’s B.C. championship tournament, the Crusaders expect to get another good read on the competition this weekend when they meet the likes of North Shore powers West Van, Sentinel and Handsworth as well as Walnut Grove and Elgin at a 12-team invitational tournament. McMath Wildcats (second in triple-A) will also be among the lineup. Round-robin games start Friday at 3:30 p.m., with the final Saturday at 1 p.m.

• Cambie’s senior team, coached by George Light and John Neumann, defeated St. Pats in the final of the SFU tournament. Three girls who played for the provincial team (Taylor Kitzmann, Michelle Alblas and Carla Bradstock) were standouts. Kate Szolomicki earned MVP honours. The Crusaders have seven new players in their lineup.

Clippers hoping waters stay calm in Premier Division

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The Clippers enjoyed mostly smooth sailing last season in the Richmond Senior Soccer League, but the crew knows even greater team work is needed to keep the ship afloat as it enters Premier Division waters.

“That’s exactly where we wanted to be and we’re looking forward to a good year,” says the Clippers’ Eileen Nolan.

With no stars, Nolan says team work is, and has to be, the Clippers’ forte. That starts with an experienced goalkeeping tandem in Jason Cowan and Darren Lyons, who are supported by a strong backline which will only get stronger once Sean Nolan and Mark Chalmers come back from injuries. Nolan is out with a dislocated knee cap but should be in the lineup within a couple of weeks, while Chalmers is sidelined indefinitely by a broken wrist.

It’s difficult to read much two games into the season, but Eileen Nolan says she can see “huge potential.”

“Once we get the kinks worked out and everyone gets used to each other we should do very well,” says Nolan, noting four players have joined the squad from Garage Pub, which folded at the end of last season.

The Clippers split their first two games, losing 3-1 to Town Sept. 11 and topping the Fury 2-1 Sunday. Gareth Lance and Brad Martin, four minutes apart midway through the match, erased a 1-0 Fury (Daniel Dias was the goal scorer) lead. Will Townsley scored the Clippers’ lone goal against Town which was paced by two Allan McGrath markers.

In other Premier Division action last week, Scott Waters netted his third and fourth goals of the season to lift the Hammerheads to a 4-4 tie with Britcom Bucks, while Mark Marshall also scored twice to power the Firefighters to their second win of the season, 4-0 over Autobody. Shamrock Rovers edged Town 3-2 in the final match.

Club India put on a goal-scoring clinic in the First Division, powering past Subway 7-1. Wayne Craig scored twice as Flying Beavers downed Ravens FC 3-1, Jon MacPherson’s goal in the 25th minute lifted the Wrestlers past West Richmond 1-0, Old Boys topped Celtic FC 5-2, and Islanders and Fairview tied 0-0.

In Second Division play Brian Hudson scored twice to lift the Cosmos past Storming Hawks 3-2, Espot blanked Rangers 2-0, Rovers B edged South Pacific 3-2, Cosmos shaded Hawks 3-2, Flying Beaver topped Ravens FC 3-1, and Steelers blanked RJS Landscaping 1-0.

Cam Singh scored three goals in the second half (his second hat trick of the season) as the Steelers defeated the Hawks 5-1 Sept. 13.

Sockeyes look to turn out Pilots light

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

After posting back-to-back shutouts to open the season, Richmond Sockeyes fell from the ranks of the undefeated Friday.

But head coach Ron Johnson insists the Sockeyes were better than their 7-1 Pacific International Junior Hockey League loss to the Ridge-Meadows Flames suggests. Richmond enjoyed a 45-25 edge in shots on goals but failed to convert numerous quality scoring chances.

“It was one of those type of games where we didn’t get the bounces,” Johnson said. “Their first goal went in off a shin pad and a skate after we’d gone down and hit the post on a powerplay.”

He added the Sockeyes weren’t ready to match the intensity the Flames displayed either.

Johnson says he isn’t overly concerned about wins and losses this early in the season, but is expecting the Sockeyes to get back to playing the high-tempo style they displayed in their first two games. Richmond hosts Abbotsford Pilots tonight (Thursday) at Minoru Arenas. Face off is 7:15 p.m.

Cui paces United past Whitecaps

Tommy Cui scored on a penalty kick and drew two assists Saturday as Richmond United topped Dunbar Whitecaps 3-1 in Under-12 boys’ silver division soccer.

Cui’s goal, which came after Francis Cimolai was brought down in the box, capped a strong first half by Richmond which was unlucky not to have scored more.

Dunbar came on strong in the second half but had few scoring chances as defenders Connor Radil, Brandon Tait, Rory Gattens, Steven Zerbe and Cimolai stood tall. When the Whitecaps did break through keeper Ryan Cuthbert was outstanding, making several brilliant stops.

“He was unlucky not to get a shutout,” said coach Mike Quinn, noting Dunbar’s goal came with only six minutes to play.

• Strong team play lifted the Richmond Eagles to a 1-0 win over Point Grey Primos Saturday, also in under-12 boys’ silver division play.

David Murphy scored the game’s only goal as the Eagles posted their second win of the season. They downed Burnaby 8-2 in last weekend’s opener.

Zachary Bowe in the midfield, Simon Rautio and Michael Harwood on defense, Angus Taylor for throw-ins and George Gorton in goal also drew praise from coach Fernando Mendoza.

Enduardo Mendoza, Lewis Helin, David Foster, Curtis Tillyer, Gary Sandher and Ryan Aujla also played well for Richmond.

• A hat trick by Sam Barwin and Steven Jenkins’ first goal of the season gave Richmond North Stars a 4-2 win over the North Shore’s MTS United Saturday.

MTS, which played in the gold division last season, were foiled on an early penalty shot by keeper Simon Barwin. Defenders Victor Ahluwalia and TJ Grewal were also steady on the the back line.

Martin Grinberg’s hat trick paced the North Stars past the Richmond 89ers in their season opener last weekend.

RICHMOND YOUTH SOCCER RESULTS

SELECT

U14: Lower Island 7 United 0. U15: Surrey 0 United 4. U16: United 2 Alouette 1. U18: United 0 Metro Ford 7.

PREMIER

U12 SILVER: Hotspurs 1 Storm 2, Lions 0 Rage 6, United 3 Whitecaps 1, Primos 0 Eagles 1. U13 SILVER: Titans 0 89ers 0, North Stars 4 United 2. U15 SILVER: Rangers 2 Hotspurs 0. U12 GOLD: Thunderbolts 1 Capilanos 1. U13 GOLD: Rage 1 Inter 1. U14 GOLD: Chargers 0 Inter 3. U16 GOLD: 86ers 1 Falcons 3.

WEST

U12: United 3 Gunners 2, Gunners 3 North Van 6. U13: Rockets 0 Plume 0. U14: Rockets 4 Lightning 1, United 2 West Van 2, Vipers 6 Voodoo 2. U15: Extreme 6 Cheetas 3. U16: Vipers 4 Panthers 2, Allstars 5 Hotspurs 2. U17: Strikers 2 Rangers 1. U18: Scorpions 4 Bulls 4.

NORTH

U12: Dolphins 2 Hurricanes 4. U13: Stingrays 3 Cobras 2. U14: Warhawks 2 Bullets 5. U16: Dragons 3 Eagles 2. U17: Cobras 6 Mustangs 3.

CENTRAL

U13: Strikers 4 Blasters 1. U14: Aces 9 Grandview 3, Whitecaps 3 Grizzlies 2. U15: Strikers 3 Lightning 0. U16: Ravens 3 Rangers 4. U17: Rebels 4 Dunbar 1. U18: Rangers 3 Point Grey 3.

Sportstown brings the game indoors<

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Richmond recreation centre a local hit with sports fans

Sportstown BC is quite literally a reflection of its name: an indoor oasis for the sports enthusiast.

Since opening just over a year ago, the former Western Indoor Tennis Centre on No. 5 Road has expanded to include a 180 by 85 foot arena completing existing tennis facilities (including a bubble which has been converted for soccer use). The city of Richmond is also leasing space for local rod and gun and gymnastics clubs.

A fitness area, which will include several workout machines, is currently being completed and an outdoor swimming pool accents the complex.

Facilities aside though, perhaps the biggest draw to Sportstown BC is being able to practise and play indoors when the weather is inclement. And with rain prominent on the West Coast during the soccer season, heading inside can be a welcome relief.

But being somewhat of a soccer traditionalist himself, Sportstown BC co-owner Colin Elmes wasn’t sure how the public would support a new concept in the game.

“Traditionalists see indoor soccer as an Americanization of the game,” he says. “When an arena first opened in Langley I was okay, until I went out and played. This is a blast and I see it as the beginning of changing people’s (outlook). But I want people to come in not because it’s raining, but because of the games.”

For the last five seasons Elmes has headed up Total Soccer Systems, which now operates full-time out of Sportstown BC. Featuring such instructors as national women’s team star Andrea Neil, former national men’s team coach and BC soccer technical director Alan Churchard, and local product and Whitecaps’ star Jason Jordan, the player development academy has helped more than 100 players make provincial teams and 20 others become national team players. Upwards of 400 youth soccer players, almost an equal number of boys and girls, currently practise at the centre.

Elmes says learning in the indoor soccer environment assists players in making quicker decisions during the course of a full-fledged game.

“I think it’s outstanding,” says Paul Lermitte, head coach of the Richmond Rush, defending Coastal Cup and Provincial Cup soccer champions in the Under-17 Boys’ Gold Division.

“It was one of the parts of our success last year,” he says.

During a lengthy lull last season, when the Rush had to wait three months between their victory at the Coastal Cup and the Provincial Cup playdowns to begin, the team stayed in tune by working out at Sportstown BC. Every week, they scheduled two practises outdoors, complemented by an hour of indoor training Fridays and their participation in the indoor men’s league.

“The nice thing about (indoors) is the weather is always controlled and you don’t get any bad fields,” Lermitte says. “No one turned an ankle or twisted a knee, and being in close quarters you can sharpen your passing or work on ball control or dribbling. You can work on skills that otherwise you’d only be able to work on during good weather. To me, it has allowed us to build and sharpen our skills and stay in great shape.”

The Rush, who are now playing under-18 metro soccer, plan to continue the practice although it’s becoming more difficult to book space.

“It’s catching on so fast you can hardly get any time,” Lermitte says. “We only managed to get an hour Fridays.”

But he says he’s not surprised and suggests soccer is enjoying a revived popularity. Whereas maybe five years ago this might not have worked, he says Sportstown BC has come at a time when high training soccer is in demand.

“Hockey is getting so expensive now, playing or even going to games. And soccer is still an affordable game,” he says.

Elmes confirms both the bubble and arena are proving popular, with more sporting groups than ever clamoring for rental space. He says as far as prime-time is concerned the bubble is booked for all but some weekend evenings, while indoor soccer league play is dominating arena time.

Elmes says he expects the soccer leagues will continue to grow as more people, tight for time, look for more flexible recreation opportunities.

Rush enjoy fast start

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The Richmond Rush got the new soccer season off to a fast start last Sunday but lost one of their key players, likely for half the season, after a goal-mouth collision.

In their under-18 boys’ metro soccer league debut, the Rush earned a 1-1 draw with the Burnaby Selects but had three of their players injured. With about three minutes to play in the first half, striker Tanner Emberson was battling for the ball on a scramble in front of the net when he collided with the Burnaby keeper who fell on the Richmond player’s knee. It’s thought Emberson chipped a bone, said Rush head coach Paul Lermitte.

Later in the game, striker Craig van der Kamp also collided with the keeper and then midfielder Nolan Drew was sidelined after he twisted his ankle coming down on a header. Both van der Kamp and Drew are expected to be back in the lineup for today’s (Sunday) match with powerhouse Metro Ford. Game time is 2:30 p.m. at Blundell Field.

Lermitte was elated with his team’s effort against Burnaby, suggesting the Rush controlled as much as 70 per cent of the play. Jimmy Gudiel gave Richmond a 1-0 lead midway through the first half when he drove the ball into the net after the ball deflected off the post. Burnaby tied the game with two minutes remaining on a partial breakaway.

Richmond played with a lot of intensity during the match, and also demonstrated their skill which surprised the Rush coaching staff because they expected an adjustment period coming from the under-17 gold division to metro.

Keeper Mike Revell was solid for the Rush, who also got good efforts from the defense anchored by sweeper Mike Mariani. Centre midfielder Matt Henniger also shone.

Sockeyes salute Romeo and then earn two points

The spirit of Romeo Bon was apparent Thursday at Minoru Arenas.

A week after his untimely passing of cancer, the former Richmond Sockeyes’ owner was honoured in a moving tribute organized by new owners Bev and Ken Kirby. Bon’s wife, Anna, dropped the ceremonial first puck.

And just as Romeo would have hoped, the Sockeyes went out and got a win - blanking the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos 5-0 for their second victory over this Pacific International Junior Hockey League season. Kevin MacKay earned the shutout.(Sockeyes won their opener last weekend 9-0 over the Grandview Steelers with Mike Hamel getting the shutout).

“I think there was a presence of Romeo,” said Harold Brittain, PIJHL president and a close friend of the Bons since 1962.

“He and Anna were that team for 10 years and it’s very difficult just to cut if off. Because of his (energetic) personality, when people walk in they’ll be looking to see if he’s bouncing around.”

Romeo’s caring nature as a person also made him a special owner, Brittain said.

“He was certainly one of the most enthusiastic people we had and in addition to wanting a winning team he had a great deal of concern for the league. Everybody keeps repeating it but it’s true, he looked at his team as a larger part of his family. Many of the volunteers were there because of him and Anna and I think a lot of the fans.”

Romeo was instrumental in Brittain becoming PIJHL president three seasons ago, after initially encouraging him to join the Sockeyes as scorekeeper. Brittain had been a long-time volunteer in Richmond Minor Hockey and after a season of doing some work for the Pacific Coast association was thinking of getting out of hockey.

Today, Brittain’s enthusiasm for hockey is back and he’s even taken on a bigger role as the director of Junior B hockey in the province. In this capacity he oversees operations in three leagues: the PIJHL, Island and Kootenays.

Brittain says there is clearly a place for the Junior B hockey in B.C., particularly for players attending college or university who want to play competitive hockey while getting an education.

“In the Mainland, because there is a limited amount of travel, there is little impact on their schooling,” he says.

But Brittain says in the PIJHL at least, there is no overall philosophy of whether it should be a development league. Some teams prefer developing players and sending them on, others just want to be competitive. The Kootenay league sees itself as a devleopment league.

Griffins look to revive gridiron glory

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

After stumbling the last few seasons, R.C. Palmer has high hopes on football field

It’s been a long time since Rob Brown has been this optimistic about his football team.

But the head coach of the R.C. Palmer Griffins genuinely believes this season’s club will be competitive in what he expects to be a challenging provincial double-A senior high school league.

“We’re fairly big and have some good talent, guys with football experience, in almost all the skill positions,” Brown says. “But it’s yet to be seen if we’ll be real good.”

Brown says there is a concerted effort being made by the coaching staff and players to revive the once-proud tradition of football at Palmer, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a powerhouse at the junior level in B.C. However the Griffins have barely stayed afloat the last couple of seasons as enthusiasm for the sport waned or players transferred schools.

“Last year was a disaster for everybody involved,” Brown says. “As coaches we thought we were done here. There was no commitment to the program and we could barely get enough players out to run a practise. We told the kids we needed to do it right or shut it down.”

The response has been positive, as 29 players have made playing football a priority and not just a part-time activity. Brown likes what he sees, but says the Griffins will have to be very good defensively to realize their goal of reaching the playoffs.

“Good defense takes care of all parts of the game, including special teams,” he says. “I don’t think we’ll be an outstanding offensive team but I think we can do enough to win.”

The Griffins were slated to kick off the season Friday at Moscrop, with Jeff d’Angelo calling the signals as the starting quarterback. James Hatch, who Brown calls the “heart and soul” of the team, will also play a pivotal role at fullback. But because he may be a better blocker than runner, Hatch could wind up helping tailbacks Geoff Roylance and Jesse Wills and fullback Marlin Blom pick up much of the yardage.

Hatch is also the Griffins’ top defensive player at linebacker and can also fill on the offensive line when needed.

Palmer has plenty of size up front with gigantic tackles Campbell MacLeod and Jeff Franklin (both over 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds), centre Jason Grewal and guard Bindy Khangura who tips the scales at 225 pounds. Franklin, who’s only in Grade 10, is already generating excitement among university scouts.