Retirement is golden for seven Alberni Valley minor hockey players who are aging out of the system this spring.
Bobby McKenzie, Chantz Nicklin, Austin Kuc, Noah Braiden, Jack McKean, Colton Scott and Cody Sutherland are all members of the U21 Bulldogs who have played minor hockey for 16 years. On March 21, the seven 20-year-olds and the rest of their squad won the gold medal game in a tournament in Cloverdale, B.C.
The sole Vancouver Island team competing against eight Lower Mainland teams, the U21 Bulldogs played five intense games inside of 48 hours to capture the top title. They faced New Westminster in the final, winning 5-1.
ICE CHIPS…The U21 Bulldogs were coached this year by Steve McKean. Sophia Torfs was the team’s manager.