Brodie and Bloodoff on Overtime

Two huge junior hockey events start this weekend. Tonight in Calgary the Kelowna Rockets will take on the Hitmen in game 1 of the WHL finals while tomorrow in Victoria five teams will start to do battle for the Royal Bank Cup. A couple of former Smoke Eaters are right in the middle of both events. Lucas Bloodoff played his 16 year old season for Trail before heading to Kelowna. He, his brother Evan and Trail's Kyle St. Denis (brother of Travis) are all West Kootenay natives skating for the Rockets this season. It's going to be a tough test for Kelowna as Calgary has yet to lose a single game in the WHL playoffs. But the Rockets took down the Giants in the West so anything can happen. I talked to Lucas last night on Mountain FM's Overtime as he got set for a run at the big prize.




Lucas Bloodoff on the WHL Finals

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As for the Royal Bank Cup, there's also some local representation at the Junior A national championship in Victoria. Montrose natives Kellen and Connor Jones and former Smoke Eater Cam Brodie play for the BCHL and Doyle Cup champion Vernon Vipers. The BCHL is lucky enough to have two teams from our league at the event since Victoria is also the host. I told to Brodie about what has been a strange 20 year old season for him.

Cam Brodie on the RBC

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(Brodie as a BCHL All Star from the Vipers website)

Good luck to both Lucas and Cam as they attempt to make some junior hockey history. A couple of other former Smoke Eaters did make some history this spring. Later this weekend I'll post interviews with Grant Rollheiser and Kevin Limbert on their victorious NCAA seasons. Plus stay tuned for the latest on the Smokies off season. Don't forget to head to Kootenay Chrysler Bull-A-Rama tomorrow night. It's a great event and helps raise some funds for the hockey club too.