After a rocky start in recruiting players, the Clearwater U18 Icehawks have found themselves in second place in their league.
While the core team still is made up of players in Grades 10-12, the Icehawks were able to bolster their team with some U15 players and others who had either quit or aged out.
In goal is Owen Thon, a U15 who had not planned to play this year but stepped up to take his place in the net.
This is Thon’s first time playing goal with the Clearwater Minor Hockey league team and one parent described him as a “rock star.”
Last Saturday, Jan. 22, the team beat Logan Lake - made up of Logan Lake and Ashcroft players- twice with scores of 9-3 and 13-4. In comparison, Clearwater lost to Logan Lake 3-7 back in November.
Icehawk Parker Collins, one of the team’s senior players, is leading the league in goals. The Icehawk’s other senior player, Matthew Lavigne, is also high in the standings. Like Parker, he has become a mentor to the younger players and supports the team and their development.
Clearwater will play Lillooet at home next weekend during Hockey Days. Every division will play, with the U18 Icehawks taking on Lillooet at 6:15 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
An alumni game may also be held on Friday night but was not confirmed as of press-time earlier this week.