IT'S MARCH 22, WHO'S IN?

Well we've known the Campbell River Storm were going to be at the 2019 Cyclone Taylor Cup since last April, now we know two more teams.

On Wednesday, the North Vancouver Wolf Pack were crowned as Pacific Junior Hockey League Champions after a 5-1 victory over the second year Langley Trappers. The regular season champs swept the series in four. During the PJ playoffs, they were led by forwards Jacob Fournier, Justin Lee, Lucas Barker, defenceman Jacob Callas and goaltender Niklas Hoem (1.11 GAA, .959 SV).

Their first game at the Cyclone will be Thursday, April 11 (7:30), against the host Campbell River Storm. The Wolf Pack have been to the show before, back in 2015 at Mission.

On Friday, the Victoria Cougars eliminated the Nanaimo Buccaneers in six games and advanced to the VIJHL Championship Finals. With Campbell River already in the Finals, following their sweep of the Saanich Braves on Wednesday, the Cougars automatically earned their spot at the Cyclone. This is a team that can put the puck in the net with the likes of Booker Chacalias, Mateo Albinati, Marshall Brown and Tyler Vanuden. They also have Cyclone Taylor experience with Kevan McBean (2017- Gold), Owen Sikkes (2017 – Gold) and Brett Kinley (2016, 2017, 2018).

The Cougars first game at the Cyclone will be Thursday, April 11 (2:30) against the KIJHL Champion. The Cougs last visit to the Cyclone was in 2016 when they earned Silver in a nailbiter against 100 Mile (the 2020 host).

The Campbell River Storm are hoping to be hosts and VIJHL champions but in order for that scenario to become a reality, they have to get by Victoria who edged them in the regular season series (Storm 1-W, 1-OTW, 2 L). Storm players to watch are Mike Dyck, Damon Porter, Darren Hards, Pearce Messer and goaltender Aaron de Kok.

There are eight Storm players with Cyclone experience: Cole Slaney (2016, 2018), Reid Wheeldon (2017, 2018), Darren Hards (2017, 2018), Logan Cursley (2017, 2018), Pearce Messer (2017. 2018), Damon Porter (2018), Davis Frank (2018) and Damon Kramer (2017 – Gold).

This will be the fifth consecutive appearance by the Campbell River Storm at Cyclone; they’ve won Gold (2015), Silver (2017) and Bronze (2016).

The KIJHL Champion won’t be known for a few more weeks with the Kimberley Dynamiters, Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Kelowna Chiefs and Revelstoke Grizzlies still duking it out.

All eight games of the 2019 Cyclone Taylor Cup will be streamed on Hockey TV, April 11 to 14. Go to www.hockeytv.com for information on subscription rates.