At six-foot-four, 190 pounds, 16-year-old forward Evan Fedele probably still has some growing to do before he reaches his junior hockey prime with the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Kings announced this week they’ve recruited Fedele from the Burnaby Winter Club for next season. The Coquitlam native spent most of last season playing the Canadian Sports School Hockey League with the BWC Elite 15s. In 33 games he scored 10 goals and had 18 assists. He also played eight games for the Under-18 team and scored twice with four assists.
“The Spruce Kings showed a lot of professionalism, as well as commitment towards their players. They have strong goals as a team, overall making it a great fit for me,” said Fedele, in a Kings’ release.
“I like to use my size to my advantage and I also work hard on the full 200 feet of ice, and I think I see the ice very well.”
The Kings continue to tap a BWC talent pool that has brought them the likes of former BCHL players Ethan de Jong, Ben Poisson, Ben Brar, Nolan Welsh and Liam Watson-Brawn.
“Evan comes from a BWC program that promotes strong team culture and values,” said Kings head coach Alex Evin. “He is a big body who skates well, has good hands, hockey sense, protects the puck well, and is strong down low.
“We believe Evan has great potential to develop into a very good player for our program and should be a future NCAA prospect.”
The Spruce Kings players are back in Prince George to resume practice at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena for the first time since they were sent home in early December, after the province imposed a ban on all team activities for 19- and 20-year-old players. On Dec. 30 the age cap was changed to 22 to allow all junior-aged players to rejoin their teams but the ban on travel for teams remains in effect.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday extended the restriction to Feb. 5, which means the Spruce Kings will not be playing any games through that date.
The league announced Friday it is now targeting the start of the new season on Feb. 8.
“Although it is frustrating to have to delay our season start once again, we are in no way, shape or form throwing in the towel on the 2020-21 season,” said BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb. “We understand why the order was extended and we will continue to work with the PHO on scenarios to start a season in a safe manner.”
