Another Prince George-developed hockey player is making the jump to the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Defenceman Owen Palfreyman has signed with the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday (Feb. 28) as an undrafted prospect, a week before the team makes its 2020-21 altered season debut.
Originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, the now 17-year-old moved to Prince George for the chance to compete in front of more regional coaches and scouts, joining the Cariboo Cougars system in 2018.
After a season with the Under-16 AAA Cats, Palfreyman moved up to the Under-18 AAA squad for the 2019-20 campaign, with whom he acquired 11 points in 37 games, including 10 assists.
He also recorded a team-high 62 penalty minutes, using his six-foot-five, 195-pound stature to be a physical force on the blue line.
Cariboo finished fifth in the regular-season standings, but didn’t get a chance to play in the playoffs with its cancellation by COVID-19.
Palfreyman represented his home province at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, where he registered one goal in four games.
Yukon finished 0-4 at the men’s hockey tournament.
The WHL’s Central Division began on Friday (Feb. 26). The Hitmen start their season on March 5 at home against Red Deer.
The teams are allowed to host games in their own arenas following health and safety protocols put in place by the league, which includes no fans.
It’s not yet known if Palfreyman will suit up for a game, but his Instagram account reads that he’s going to wear the number four (#4) with the franchise, meaning he could play or be on the taxi squad.
B.C. has yet to be approved for its WHL return-to-play plan with COVID-19 public health orders still preventing competitive sports games or travel.
