WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The BCHL West Kelowna Warriors took one last practice in Thursday before leaving for Chilliwack to play the Chiefs in game one of the Fred Page Cup Final.
Their coach was reflective as the club continues to have an historic season.
“It’s a really difficult division to be in,” said Warriors Coach Rylan Ferster. “Every night is a battle. Getting to the playoffs is the same thing.”
Ferster said their success this season has come from key players like Kylar Hope and Jonathan Desbiens.
Hope, 20, is closing out his third season with the Warriors and has been committed to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
“He’s our most valuable player. He’s ‘200 feet’, plays the game the right way, plays hard, he’s a good team mate, can score goals. Again he’s our MVP.”
Being described as ‘200 feet’ has become the biggest complement you can give a hockey player.
Jonathan Desbiens, committed to Bentley University for next season, has developed the right chemistry on the ice with Hope to help propel the team into the final.
“He was real good when he came in last year,” said Ferster. “He can score goals and can skate like no others.”
Heading into the Fred Page Cup, Ferster said the team is taking nothing for granted.
“I don’t think there’s one area where you can say, ‘Geez, where gonna have to play a complete ‘200 foot game’. We’re going to have to have contributions from all our guys to have success.”
The Fred Page Cup Final began Friday evening in Chilliwack with a 2-0 win for West Kelowna.