The Prince George Spruce Kings are off to a great start in the 2014-15 season and the evidence of that is clearly stated in the B.C. Hockey League's power poll.
The first of monthly samplings of BCHL coaches and media personalities who cover the league was released this week and Spruce Kings 20-year-old forward Justin Rai tops the list in the most valuable player voting with 25 votes, followed by West Kelowna Warriors 18-year-old forward Liam Blackburn, a Prince George native, who earned 17 first-place votes.
Through five games, Rai has seven goals and 10 points, just behind Blackburn, who has five goals and 12 points in five games. Rai and Blackburrn are also 1-2 respectively in the top forward category.
Jesse Jenks of the Spruce Kings ranks third in the power poll top goaltender category with 18 points, behind Mitch Diaz of the Chilliwack Chiefs (25) and Jonah Imoo of the Merritt Centennials (20).
Tyson Jost of the Penticton Vees heads the top rookie category with 32 votes, while Kurt Gosselin of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs is the top-ranked defenceman with 26 votes. Jost also ranks as the top pro prospect with 19 votes, ahead of Dante Fabbro of Penticton (13) and Blackburn, who finished in a three-way tie for third with Liam Finlay of Penticton and Vince Deharnais of Chilliwack.
The Spruce Kings gathered 60 votes in fourth place in the top team category. Penticton and Merritt topped the poll with 71 votes each, followed by Chilliwack (68).
The Spruce Kings host the Chiefs tonight at the Coliseum in the second game of a weekend set. Game time is 7 p.m.
