The regular season is finally here, and Cowichan looks to continue building off of last years playoff run and some preseason successes. The Capitals won their first series in 10 years, ousting the Interior Division champions and number three seed Penticton Vees in 6 games, finishing it off at home in front of a packed house at the Cowichan Community Centre. While Cowichan had many contributors to that run age out of junior hockey and move on to the college ranks, some returnees have played well in the exhibition schedule. Dan McIntyre, who anchored the Capitals 4th line last year has new wingers in Andy Bridgewater and Zach Brooks, and the three skaters found instant chemistry. McIntyre scored 4 times in the preseason and Bridgewater added another 3. Dimitri Mikrogiannakis will try to fill the void left by the departure of David Melaragni who’s off at Canisius College, the Capitals also brought in smooth-skating 20 year old Tyrell Boucher from the Grande Prairie Storm in exchange for Doug Scott, who is now in Vernon and the rights to Spencer Hora. Cowichan hopes that depth is one of the teams biggest skills, showing 4 lines that all can score, including the top line of three returning 20 year olds in Cruz Cote, Brady Lynn and Olivier Gauthier, and Will Arquiett, a 19 year old St. Lawrence commit, played on a few different lines, but created chances everywhere he went. To view the full Capitals roster click here
The Nanaimo Clippers will be lead by a pair of forwards that had big seasons last year in Tyler Williams and Ethan Scardina, and defenceman Aidan Hansen-Bukata who was named to the BCHL Second Team All-Stars last season. Williams, a Lake Superior State commit, had 55 points last year in 53 games, including 15 goals. His 40 assists were 10th most in the BCHL. Scardina, who enters his 19 year old season will wear the C for Nanaimo after spending his 16 year old season in Cowichan and being included in the 6 player trade brining Cowichan David Melaragni (now at Canisius College), Preston Broadziak (now in Prince George) and Lucas Vanroboys (now at Bentley University) last summer.
Last season Cowichan went 2-4-2 against Nanaimo, with both wins coming on home ice, and an 0-3-1 record at Frank Crane Arena. The puck drops at 7PM in Nanaimo. If you can’t make it to the game, join Justis Doucet on 89.7 Juice FM for live play-by-play action, beginning with the pregame show at 6:45. You can listen to Capitals hockey all season long, at home and on the road on 89.7 Juice FM on your radio, at mycowichanvalleynow.com for the internet version of the radio feed, or watch live on HockeyTV pay-per-view.
Saturday, join us for the Capitals 2019 home opener! Let’s bring that playoff atmosphere we saw in the spring! Come meet your 2019/20 Cowichan Capitals as they take on the Victoria Grizzlies at 6:00 PM, doors open at 5:00PM! Adult tickets are $14, seniors and students are $11 and kids are $7. Also the Caps offer 10 game flex packs which can be used for ANY Capitals home game, adult packs are $120. If you ordered season tickets, those are ready to be picked up at the Capitals office as well! See you at the rink!
