Hockey night in South Surrey returns this weekend as the British Columbia Hockey League's Surrey Eagles face off against the Prince George Spruce Kings in their home opener Friday night (Sept. 20).
After a banner season that saw the squad win six of nine BCHL trophies as well as the coveted Fred Page Cup – the Eagles's first cup since 2013 – and four pre-season exhibition games, the team is ready for regular season action on their Olympic-sized ice at The Nest, also known as south Surrey Arena.
Former NHL players Scott Gomez (head coach and general manager) and Mike Mottau (assistant coach) have been busy building a new-look roster and getting to know new as well as returning players to the team.
Gomez, who said he learned a lot from former New Jersey Devils co-head coach Adam Oates prior to the season's start, hopes pass on some of what he has learned throughout his pro-hockey career.
"There’s other parts of the game... it’s not just dump-and-chase... there’s a way to get better at this," he said.
"You’ve got to use (your head). When the puck hits your stick, your head doesn't go down again... you’ve got to see what’s out there – and that’s going to be the fun part, teaching that kind of stuff."
With two new giant screens installed in their home rink by the City of Surrey, Eagles owner Ron Brar – who owns the team with his brother, TJ Brar – is excited for the new season.
"You can see the fan base of the Eagles just getting bigger and bigger. The excitement – the players, they take that energy from the fans and they put that on the ice and you need that you need that support from your community and you need people to believe in you," he said.
"I think you’re going to find that the Eagles are going to come out soaring again same as they did last year!"
Puck drops at 7 p.m. vs. Prince George on Friday, Sept. 20 and at 3 p.m. vs. Cowichan Valley Capitals on Sunday (Sept. 22) at South Surrey Arena, 2199 148 St.
Visit surreyeagles.net for tickets or more information.
