The Victoria Cougars will have a crack at a provincial Junior B hockey title in 2016.
The Vancouver Island Hockey League team — which has won five straight regular-season crowns — was announced as host for the 2016 Cyclone Taylor Cup on Monday, emblematic of the B.C. championship.
B.C. Hockey announced the dates as April 7-10, 2016, in a tournament that features the champions of the VIJHL, Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Pacific Junior Hockey League and the host team.
“Just like that, we’re in,” head coach Mark Van Helvoirt said with a chuckle. “It’s a prestigious tournament and the opportunity to host this obviously says wonders about our organization. We’ve been fortunate to play in a number of these over the years and now it’s a chance to put our spin on it. It’s a true showcase.”
The event will also assist Van Helvoirt with recruiting and build a team that will compete, as the Cougars usually do.
“A tournament like this, it’s an advantage to know you’ll be in provincials, but at the end of the day you always want to get in the front door [as league champions]. We want to showcase our organization well,” he said.
The organization is excited about the chance.
“On behalf of the Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club, I’d like to say that we are honoured to be selected to host the 2016 Cyclone Taylor Cup,” Tom Arlidge, the Cougars’ director at large, said in a statement.
“I know that our board of directors, volunteers and coaches will work together to produce what we hope will be the best Cyclone Taylor Cup to date. Thank you again to the selection committee for the opportunity.”
Last season, the Mission City Outlaws played host to the event, which was won by the VIJHL’s Campbell River Storm, who defeated the Kimberley Dynamiters 6-5 in the championship final.
The Storm, who had previously defeated the Cougars in the VIJHL final, then went on to capture the 2015 Western Canadian Keystone Cup with a 6-3 victory over the North Edmonton Red Wings.
Next season, the 2016 Keystone Cup will be held in April in Regina.
COUGARS’ NOTES: Cougars goaltender Grant Payne has committed to the University of Northern Colorado (NCAA Div. II) for the upcoming season. Payne, of Colorado Springs, finished the 2014-15 VIJHL campaign with a 32-6-1-0 record, 2.09 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and six shutouts. UNC is located in Greeley, Colorado.
