Prince George has been good to Parker Colley, Kyle Johnson and Liam McCloskey.
A month ago they swooped into town with the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs and beat the Cariboo Cougars twice on Prince George ice to complete the sweep and win the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League championship.
Colley and Johnson, both forwards, and McCloskey, a goaltender, are now ready to make the jump to junior A hockey and will get that opportunity next season playing in the B.C. Hockey League for the Prince George Spruce Kings. The three former Chiefs signed with the Spruce Kings after impressing team staff at the Kings' Spring Prospects Camp last weekend at the Coliseum.
The five-foot-eight, 150-pound Colley topped the Chiefs' team scoring list with 18 goals and 64 points in 40 games. The 1997-born native of Maple Ridge ranked third in BCHMML scoring. Colley also totaled 14 points in six playoff games.
"Parker is a very hardworking, skilled player who will put up tremendous offensive numbers for our team," said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes, in a team release.
"He has great vision and a high hockey IQ. When you combine that with his work ethic it leads to really good things. Our fans will really enjoy watching this young man play."
Johnson, a five-foot-11, 165-pound native of Port Moody, ranked third in Chiefs' scoring with 48 points, including 23 goals. He was born in 1998.
The 1998-born McCloskey, six-foot, 155 pounds, played 25 games in net for the Chiefs, compiling a 15-2-3 record and a 2.25 goals-against average. He's a native of Maple Ridge.
The Kings also announced the signing of 1997-born forward Nic Ponak, who captained the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds of the BCHMML this past season. Ponak, a six-foot-two 206-pound native of Abbotsford, led the T-birds in scoring with 22 goals and 50 points in 37 games, the 12th-highest point total in the league. He also racked up 70 penalty minutes.
"Nic is a big, strong power forward with a strong 200-foot game," said Hawes. "He has great offensive abilities but also competes hard in all zones on the ice. He uses his size well to open up ice for himself and his teammates."
Cariboo Cougars forward Steven Jandric, who graduated the major midget ranks this season, has signed with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. Jandric, 17, finished eighth in league scoring with 18 goals, 36 assists and 54 points in 39 games.
