The Port Coquitlam Trailblazers are a Junior ice hockey team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. The team plays its home games at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), which opened in 2019.[1][2]
| Port Coquitlam Trailblazers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Port Coquitlam |
| League | PJHL |
| Conference | Tom Shaw |
| Founded | January 26, 2023 |
| Home arena | Port Coquitlam Community Centre |
| Colours | Purple, gold & white |
| Owner(s) | Rob Toor |
| General manager | Ryan Ross |
| Head coach | Greg Ross |
| Website | pocohockey |
Team identity
editThe team said that the name 'Trailblazers' reflects the City of Port Coquitlam's Coast Salish roots, its breathtaking landscape, and its residents, "including the late Terry Fox, who grew up in Port Coquitlam."[1] Its official colours are purple, gold and white, which harken back to the Port Coquitlam Minor Hockey Association that was founded in 1974, and the original branding of the Los Angeles Kings.[3] The team’s logo features the Golden Ears peaks in the background and the Pitt River Bridge in the foreground.[3] It is meant to symbolize "the untamed path we set forth upon and the bridge the Trailblazers hope to build between the organization and the community."[3]
Inaugural season
editThe team finished its inaugural season in last place overall, thus failing to qualify for the playoffs, with 7 wins and 41 losses in the regular season. While the Aldergrove Kodiaks finished the season with only 6 wins and 42 losses, they ranked slightly higher than the Trailblazers because they received partial points for 3 games that it lost during overtime.[4]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 48 | 7 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 113 | 289 | 14 | 7th in conference 14th overall |
Did not qualify |
The team was founded at a time of significant flux for Junior ice hockey in British Columbia. In 2023, governing body BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its junior hockey framework following the decision of its only Junior A league, the BCHL, to become an independent league.[5] The three Junior B leagues (PJHL, KIJHL and VIJHL) were summarily designated as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to conduct an independent evaluation of those teams seeking to be promoted to "Junior A Tier 1". It was expected that those teams promoted to Tier 1 would eventually apply for membership in the CJHL.[6] In April 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announced that it would withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL in the 2024–25 season.[7] The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024–25 season.[8]
In the 2024–25 season, Hockey Canada and its four western affiliates – BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Hockey Saskatchewan and Hockey Manitoba – will pilot the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM). Under the WCDM, junior leagues will adopt most of the Western Hockey League rulebook, excluding some sections, and restrictions on 15-year-old affiliate players in the Western Hockey League will be loosened. Players that will be 18-years of age or older in the calendar year will be allowed to choose whether to use full-face protection or half-face protection, whilst younger players will be required to use full-face protection.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Bartel, Mario (22 February 2023). "Port Coquitlam's new junior hockey team now has a name". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Cleugh, Janis (21 August 2019). "New PoCo Community Centre opens Tuesday with party, free skate". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Bartel, Mario (24 February 2023). "Port Coquitlam Trailblazers look back and forward with colours, logo". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "PJHL team stats 2023–24 regular season". pjhl.net. Pacific Junior Hockey League. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "BC Hockey announces new Junior A pathway". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "BC Hockey Junior A pathway update". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Ewen, Steve (30 April 2024). "Vancouver Island Junior B loop cuts ties with Hockey Canada, joins forces with BCHL". The Province. Postmedia. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "B.C. Junior A leagues partner with Blackfin Sports Group". bchockey.net. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ Ewen, Steve (12 July 2024). "Feud for thought: Rivals Hockey Canada and BCHL provide duelling announcements". The Province. Postmedia. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
See also
editFurther reading
edit- Bartel, Mario (22 February 2023). "Port Coquitlam's new junior hockey team now has a name". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- Bartel, Mario (26 January 2023). "Port Coquitlam gets a junior hockey team — again". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- Balzer, Kyle (2 February 2023). "Greg Ross to coach Port Coquitlam's new Jr. 'B' hockey team". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- Bartel, Mario (24 February 2023). "Port Coquitlam Trailblazers look back and forward with colours, logo". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- Kozelj, Josh (25 July 2023). "Port Moody Panthers reclassified as Junior A hockey club". Tri-Cities Dispatch. Constellation Media Society. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- Cleugh, Janis (21 August 2019). "New PoCo Community Centre opens Tuesday with party, free skate". TriCity News. Glacier Media Group. Retrieved 25 July 2024.