Cariboo Cougars forward Hunter Floris is operating at a goal-per-game pace this season. His latest marker came in a Sunday road contest against the Vancouver Northwest Giants and gave him a spot all to himself in the Cariboo record book.
In a 6-5 overtime victory for the Cougars, the 18-year-old Floris notched his 36th goal of the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League campaign. No. 36 eclipsed the 35 scored by Liam Blackburn in the 2012-13 season.
"It's definitely a great accomplishment, thinking about all the great players that have come before me, and holding a record for a great team and a great organization is something really special," said Floris, a Vanderhoof product who's in his second year with the Cougars and third in the BCHMML.
"I had my personal goals - I for sure had my expectations (this season) but I think I just go out there and play my hardest every game and try to make stuff happen every shift. I don't think I've let myself down but I think I have more to produce."
Floris became the Cariboo organization's all-time single-season goal leader while the Cougars were on a power play in the second period. On the play, he found a patch of ice in front of the Giants' net and was set up by teammates Mason Richey and Craig MacDonald.
"Our power play has been really good all year," Floris said. "Richey and Donny really work it well down low. I just got open in front and Donny gave me a great pass and I just put it in the net. It was just a great play and it was nice to finally get (the goal). The coaches were kind of on me about it the past couple weeks. It's nice to get it off my back."
Floris's goal gave the Cougars a 4-3 lead and they were up 5-4 by the end of the middle frame. The Giants responded with the only goal of the third period and the Cougars eventually won in overtime thanks to a Grady Thomas shot that found the back of the net.
Floris also scored for the Cougars on Saturday in a 5-1 victory over the Giants. He added two assists in the doubleheader and now has 57 points in his 36 games. In the league scoring race, he is the goal leader and stands seventh overall in points.
Last season with the Cougars, Floris put up 18 goals and 31 points in 40 regular-season outings and was listed by the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans after he separated himself from a very talented pack at the international Mac's tournament in Calgary during the Christmas break. At the Mac's, he had a tournament-leading eight goals and 13 points in six games. The six-foot, 185-pound Floris has shifted his focus from a WHL future to one in junior A hockey and, not surprisingly, has attracted interest from multiple teams.
"I have a few camps lined up so hopefully I do well at those and get (a roster spot)," said Floris, who started his major midget career with the Kootenay Ice in 2015-2016. In his three BCHMML seasons, he has piled up 75 goals in 116 regular-season appearances.
In the current league standings, the Cougars are now back in first place with a record of 29-6-3-0. They have two games remaining and 61 points. The second-place Valley West Hawks (28-5-2-1) are two points back but have four games left to play.
The Cougars have a bye this weekend, while the Hawks will host the last-place South Island Royals. The Cats will finish the regular schedule with March 10-11 road games against the Okanagan Rockets (currently in fourth place), while the Hawks will visit the North Island Silvertips, who presently hold down 10th place in the 11-team league.
