The Prince George Spruce Kings have lost a member of their family.
Malcolm Poburan, who served the local junior hockey club for nearly four decades as equipment manager and assistant equipment manager, died on Tuesday morning after a battle with cancer.
"It is certainly a sad day for the Spruce Kings organization," said general manager Mike Hawes. "Malcolm was a mainstay in our locker room for almost 40 years. Our organization is not where it is today without people like Malcolm. He was loved by all the players and staff that have come through this organization over the years. He will be remembered for his sense of humour but also for his commitment and dedication to the team. He will forever be a Spruce King. The Spruce Kings organization would like to offer our condolences to Malcolm's family during this sad time."
Around the team and in the community, Poburan was affectionately known by the nickname 'Relic.'
Poburan was predeceased by his wife, Gwen, in February 2014. The two had been married 42 years. Like her husband, Gwen was a longtime volunteer with the Spruce Kings.
Poburan had been in hospice care in recent weeks but was in the seats at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena on April 16 when the Spruce Kings hosted the Wenatchee Wild in the first-ever B.C. Hockey League Fred Page Cup playoff championship game held in the city. The Spruce Kings gave Poburan and the other 2,111 fans in attendance a thrill when they took the Wild to double overtime and eventually fell 4-3.
In a three-games-to-none hole, the Kings extended the series with a 4-2 victory the next night but then lost 3-0 in the series clincher in Wenatchee last Thursday.
