White Rock Whalers have had a solid start to the junior hockey season after their summer hiatus, and – with an extension of their ongoing partnership with Semiahmoo Ravens Minor Hockey Association – a new, grassroots collaboration.
Although the 'Pod' started their season with one loss, they quickly made it up with seven consecutive wins in a row, with the most recent win against North Vancouver on Monday (Sept. 30), where they also wore special, orange jerseys in honour of Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Now, the Pacific Junior Hockey League's squad is listed as second place in the Tom Shaw Conference in PJHL standings, tied with Richmond Sockeyes in games played (eight), wins (seven each) and losses (one apiece); both teams have 14 points each as well (as of press time).
"It's a great start for sure – it's a tough league," said Chris McNally, director of Grassroots Junior Hockey Society and one of the Whalers' new partnership team.
At the start of the new season, the Semiahmoo Ravens Minor Hockey Association and the Whalers announced a new and improved integrated partnership – an extension of their ongoing partnership – that includes McNally, a Semiahmoo alum himself, and David Rutherford, professional hockey player and found of DJR Hockey. They joined Whalers founding partners Ronnie Paterson and Rob Rose, who are looking forward to the expanded potential for local young hockey players.
The goal? An expanded Centennial "campus" that includes new training facility space (in existing space at the curling facility beside Centennial Arena) that benefits both the SRMA and Whalers organizations, as well as other shared resources.
McNally, who got involved after meetings and conversations with Paterson, Rose and the City of White Rock, is excited for what that means for junior hockey players in the area.
"Where we landed ... is (having) a new training facility – even more important, that we're going to connect Semiahmoo Minor Hockey to the junior team ecosystem even more," McNally said. "The kids watching the junior players – that's the dream that kids have, they watch the older players and think, 'Maybe someday I can play.'"
The goal, he said, is to ensure "we have a program at the U18 level that is connected very closely with what were doing with the Whalers, including having practices back onto each other," so minor hockey players get a chance to feel what it's like to practice on the Whalers' ice.
That also includes things like using the same skills development providers and goaltending instructors for both Whalers and Semiahmoo Ravens, along with the same coaching training staff as Whalers.
"The Whalers are providing those professionals to the U18 system to help develop players, so the players feel like they're getting a top-notch program at home, as opposed to having to go out to the academies and leave the community, to get hockey at the highest level, which is what we were seeing happen," McNally said.
"This year, we've already seen two players come back from one of the hockey academies to come and play in our minor hockey system, and that's a real victory. Now we're doing it all at that Centennial campus – it's all right there for us."
Semiahmoo Ravens executive director Scott Ackles said the organization is thrilled with the new, fully integrated Whalers partnership.
“This program truly is a major commitment that provides outstanding development opportunities to all our young athletes on and off the ice for all ages to benefit. The White Rock Whalers and Semiahmoo Ravens are committed to supporting the development of talented hockey players and families in our community!” he noted in a statement on the team's website.
Paterson agreed, adding the two organizations have always shared an excellent relationship.
“Now, we are in a position where we can make a direct contribution to their development pathway. We are dedicated to supporting local hockey and athletes. By extending our commitment to Semiahmoo, we aim to assist in the development of great players locally and provide a clear pathway from minor hockey through to our junior program and beyond. This partnership is about helping young athletes reach their peak potential and achieve their hockey goals," he said in the online statement.
McNally said the City of White Rock has been "awesome" to work with.
"They've been innovative, they're doing things that haven't been done before, and they're working with us to make it all function properly. I'm super pleased with how that partnership is building up," he said.
While winning a championship is always nice, McNally said the focus at this level is on the process.
"Championships are a whole lot of work and a little bit of luck... I don't really worry too much about the wins and losses, as long as our process is good," he said, adding that Centennial Arena holds a special place in his heart, and he wants all young players to be able to enjoy that junior hockey experience.
"If every single Semi minor hockey player got to see a Whalers game this year, that would be great. I played minor hockey at Centennial Arena, and my parents met at a public skate there."
