In hockey and in life, Spencer and Scott McHaffie are mirror images of each other.
The 17-year-old identical twins from Surrey made their debut in Prince George Spruce Kings uniforms in Sunday's top spring prospects camp. Playing for Team White, their presence on the ice created plenty of trouble for their Team Blue opponents. With the McHaffie boys intent on playing for the Spruce Kings next season, that's an encouraging sign for the rebuilding project now underway at the Coliseum.
The Kings finished last overall this season and the McHaffies are looking forward to creating a winning atmosphere in the BCHL's northernmost outpost.
"It was a very good, high-intensity camp and I'm really excited to come up here next season," said Spencer, who scored twice in a 7-4 win over Team Blue. "Making that jump to the BCHL is huge but I think I'm ready to pay here for the next couple seasons. Having a twin brother with me helps, we kind of know where we are on the ice with each other and it's good to have."
The McHaffies are proven winners. Their Surrey Thunder midget Tier 1 team lost only two games all season. A couple weeks ago they won the provincial title. They stand five-foot-nine and are both around the 170-pound mark but the way they scoot around the ice, their lack of size won't likely be an impediment at the junior A level.
"Me and my brother are quite excited to be here, I feel like it's a great atmosphere and I think we'll do very well playing together," said Scott, who had one assist playing on a line with his 30-minutes younger brother. "The chemistry, for sure, will help us. We've played with each other for so long, you don't have to look half the time. I just throw it out to him and he's there and that's a huge advantage. Hopefully we can have a good season with the Spruce Kings and carry it on in the playoffs and lead this team to a championship."
The Kings staff have faith the McHaffies could have a similar impact on Prince George as the Jones twins -- Kellen and Connor -- did in Vernon when they became offensive catalysts with the Vipers.
"I liked everything about them, their engines never stopped," said Spruce Kings head coach Dave Dupas. "They're not big guys but they go into the corners and most times they come out with the puck. They see the ice real well and defensively they seem to be responsible in their own zone and they read each other well. They're complete players who work hard and we're very excited to have them here."
The Kings don't intend to let any other BCHL team get their hands on the Surrey boys.
"We'll get a press release out this week about some signings we have and I expect the twins from Surrey will be in that release for sure," said Kings GM Mike Hawes.
