The Prince George Posse is once again riding high in the provincial B rankings.
The Posse has been to two tournaments this season, winning one and finishing second in the other, and that will likely mean the team will be challenging for the A2 provincial championship in Coquitlam, July 7-10.
"I think we'll be moved to A2 for provincials, same as last year," said Posse manager Trevor Nimmo. "We lost one game all year last year and that was to Port Moody in the provincial final in Prince George."
Two weekends ago in Langley, Posse players Alex Nimmo, 15, and Justin Parker, 16, were among 45 players invited to the Team B.C. tryouts. Determined by a series of scrimmages, the team will represent B.C. at the national midget championship in Whitby, Ont.
Parker was released after the first round of cuts and Nimmo made it into the group of 30 but was released, after scoring seven goals in four games.
"They are both well-rounded players who excel in our division and they stand out on our team," said Posse head coach Tom Esopenko, who is sharing the team's coaching duties with Ken Eyles.
Four players - including Nimmo, Parker, Hayden Kerr and Ethan Brown - remain from the 2015 provincial A2 silver medalist Posse team. Adam Halsall joined the team late that season and shared in the provincial medal.
The other current midget Posse players are goalie Lucas Rushton, Gage Prince, Max Arnold, Hayden Esopenko, Seth Blacker, Kalen Hallett, Tanner Nahulak, Caleb Mueller, Nolan Endel and Ryan Mager.
The team started its tournament season with a silver medal in Ridge Meadows, May 8-10, then went 5-0 to win a tournament in Richmond, May 20-22. Next weekend, the Posse will be in Kelowna for a B tournament. The Posse tried to get into the A2 tournament, also in Kelowna, but it was full.
"I don't think we've seen the best of the B teams yet," said coach Esopenko.
