Chances are at least one91裸聊视频攊f not all three91裸聊视频攆ormer Kelowna Rockets will have a significant bearing on the outcome of next week91裸聊视频檚 Canadian men91裸聊视频檚 university hockey championship.
Tyson Baillie and Cole Linaker will suit up for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, while goaltender Jordon Cooke will backstop the Saskatchewan Huskies at the University Cup, March 16 to 19 in Fredricton, NB.
The Golden Bears and Huskies each qualfied for a spot at nationals after going head-to-head in the Canada West final last weekend in Saskatoon.
Alberta took the best of three championship series two games to one to earn the Bears91裸聊视频 fourth conference title in the last five seasons and 15th in 17 years.
Linaker, an Edmonton native, said being part of the storied and successful program at the U of A has a similar feeling to that of his four seasons in Kelowna.
Between the hockey and his first year of post-secondary education, Linaker says all of his expectations91裸聊视频攁nd more91裸聊视频攈ave been met.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been great,91裸聊视频 said Linaker, 21, who like all WHL players is granted one year of tuition and books for each season played in the league. 91裸聊视频淭he University of Alberta has always had an extensive history of winning championships. It91裸聊视频檚 a lot like playing in Kelowna where excellence is the norm.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been a learning curve, balancing the hockey and school work, but the guys have all been very helpful and have made it easier. The whole ride has been really enjoyable.91裸聊视频
Like Linaker, Tyson Baillie has been a good fit for university hockey. So much so, that the Fort Saskatchewan, AB native was named the Canada West rookie of the year, scoring 13 goals and 26 points in 28 games.
Teammates with the Rockets for four years, Linaker said he and Baillie are happy to be reunited at the U of A.
91裸聊视频淭yson91裸聊视频檚 been great, we91裸聊视频檙e together pretty much every day going through the experience and I think it91裸聊视频檚 been good for both of us,91裸聊视频 Linaker said. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 had a great year, we91裸聊视频檝e been able to win a championship together already, and hopefully there91裸聊视频檚 one more this season.91裸聊视频
While Linaker and Baillie will both be looking for their first University Cup title, so will old teammate and friend, Saskatchewan goalie Jordon Cooke.
Already well-established as one of the top players in the country at the university level, Cooke has won the Canada West goalie of the year awards two seasons running.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 a great goalie and can really influence how a whole series goes, he91裸聊视频檚 that good,91裸聊视频 Linaker said of Cooke. 91裸聊视频(Jordon) and I talk after games, we stay in touch on social media, and it91裸聊视频檚 good see him doing so well.
91裸聊视频淲e kind of took pokes at each other before the final,91裸聊视频 said Linaker. 91裸聊视频淥bviously I wish him luck, but only when91裸聊视频檚 playing someone else.91裸聊视频
Herringer goalie of week91裸聊视频
While the Kelowna Rockets have been putting up some decent numbers offensively, Michael Herringer is upholding his duties at other end of the rink.
Thanks to some solid work of his own, the 21-year-old Herringer has been named the Western Hockey League91裸聊视频檚 goaltender of the week.
The 21-year-old Herringer went 3-0-0-0 with a 1.10 goals-against average, .961 save percentage and 74 saves this past week, helping the Rockets continue their climb up the B.C. Division standings.
The Rockets, who have six games remaining in the regular season, will return to action Friday when they host the Vancouver Giants. The Victoria Royals will visit Prospera Place on Saturday.