Local Sports

Vees' Jack Barnes picked up his second goal of the season in the team's 5-0 win over Merritt on Saturday. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Cowichan Capitals in deadline dilemma with 20-year-old players

Hard decisions loom when BCHL may or may not resume play

MacDowell Rugby Academy founder Robin MacDowell and national men’s rugby sevens player Pat Kay, both graduates of Cowichan Secondary, speak to students on Wednesday, Feb. 17 about the new academy program that will debut this fall. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

MacDowell Rugby Academy coming to Cowichan Secondary School

Athletes from Cowichan, across Canada and around the world will benefit from world-class coaching

Cowichan Valley Capitals players practice on Tuesday, Feb. 9 as they await word on a B.C. Hockey League season that has now been delayed until at least March. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan Capitals wait for word as BCHL season delayed until at least March

Players skate daily and stay positive

Kerry Park forward Dawson Elzinga slides the puck past a Westshore Wolves defender during a VIJHL game last October. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League remains hopeful about 2020-21 season

Annual awards are cancelled, but league wants to resume season if possible

Kerry Park forward Dawson Elzinga slides the puck past a Westshore Wolves defender during a VIJHL game last October. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Cowichan Secondary School graduate and national team hopeful Justin Marinier trains with a small group of rugby players at Maple Bay Elementary School on Sunday, Jan. 31. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan-based rugby stars won’t let pandemic slow them down

‘Once this is over, they’re going to be locked and loaded’

Cowichan Secondary School graduate and national team hopeful Justin Marinier trains with a small group of rugby players at Maple Bay Elementary School on Sunday, Jan. 31. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
BCHL

BCHL season delayed once more, but league still hopes to play

The junior A league isn’t ready to sink the season, which is now pushed back into March

BCHL
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The Westshore Wolves, along with eight other Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League teams, have been off the ice since last November due to pandemic-related restrictions. The league is awaiting the next round of public health orders, due this week, to plan its next moves. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League awaits next public health order

Junior B league on pause since November due to COVID restrictions

  • Feb 1, 2021
The Westshore Wolves, along with eight other Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League teams, have been off the ice since last November due to pandemic-related restrictions. The league is awaiting the next round of public health orders, due this week, to plan its next moves. (Black Press Media file photo)
Football players from across Vancouver Island run sprints as they warm up for tests at the combine at the Cowichan Sportsplex last Sunday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan hosts football combine for South Island players

Part of the provincial team process

Football players from across Vancouver Island run sprints as they warm up for tests at the combine at the Cowichan Sportsplex last Sunday afternoon. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Seen here with the provincial box and field lacrosse teams, Cobble Hill’s Josh MacDonald has been drafted by the junior A Nanaimo Timbermen. (Submitted)

Timbermen draft Cowichan’s Josh MacDonald

‘Rave reviews’ for Cobble Hill lacrosse player

Seen here with the provincial box and field lacrosse teams, Cobble Hill’s Josh MacDonald has been drafted by the junior A Nanaimo Timbermen. (Submitted)
Cullen Ferguson has left the Cowichan Valley Capitals to play with the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL. (Citizen file)

Cowichan Capitals say goodbye to Ferguson and Richter

The Caps traded another Union College commit away last week

Cullen Ferguson has left the Cowichan Valley Capitals to play with the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL. (Citizen file)
Cowichan Bay tennis player Grace Haugen takes part in an exhibition at the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club in 2019, which also included Canadian legends Frank Dancevic and Daniel Nestor. Haugen has committed to further her career at the University of Montana starting next fall. (Citizen file)

Cowichan Bay tennis player prepares for next step in her journey

Grace Haugen commits to University of Montana

Cowichan Bay tennis player Grace Haugen takes part in an exhibition at the South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club in 2019, which also included Canadian legends Frank Dancevic and Daniel Nestor. Haugen has committed to further her career at the University of Montana starting next fall. (Citizen file)
The Kerry Park Islanders and Peninsula Panthers battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League hasn’t given up on season

Games can’t resume until at least February, but league brass still hopeful

The Kerry Park Islanders and Peninsula Panthers battle during a Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League game in November 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
Brett McLean of Comox played for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 NHL seasons. He is now an assistant coach of the Minnesota Wild. Photo supplied

Vancouver Islander making NHL assistant coaching debut

Brett McLean of the Comox Valley opens coming NHL season behind the bench of the Minnesota Wild

Brett McLean of Comox played for the Colorado Avalanche in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 NHL seasons. He is now an assistant coach of the Minnesota Wild. Photo supplied
Reid Fitzpatrick and the Kerry Park Islanders haven’t played since Nov. 20 but the league hopes to get them back in action next week. (Citizen file)

Junior B hockey games resume on Vancouver Island Jan. 15, pending provincial announcements

Teams to play in three regional cohorts

Reid Fitzpatrick and the Kerry Park Islanders haven’t played since Nov. 20 but the league hopes to get them back in action next week. (Citizen file)
BCHL

BCHL delays start of the season as provincial health orders remain in place

The junior A league has been forced to abandon a plan to start in mid-January

BCHL
Madison Thomas manoeuvres the ball in the midfield for Cowichan United during a LIWSA match last fall. (Citizen file)

Vancouver Island soccer leagues make plans to move forward

Schedules and cup draws are set in case adult soccer gets go-ahead

Madison Thomas manoeuvres the ball in the midfield for Cowichan United during a LIWSA match last fall. (Citizen file)
Cowichan Secondary wrestler Talon Hird displays his five provincial gold medals as well as his hardware for being named male Wrestler of the Meet at the B.C. high school meet in February. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Triumph and disappointment: Cowichan Valley sports year in review

Lots of highlights in spite of rampant COVID-19 cancellations

Cowichan Secondary wrestler Talon Hird displays his five provincial gold medals as well as his hardware for being named male Wrestler of the Meet at the B.C. high school meet in February. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
BCHL team can now practise together in full, after a revision to the provincial health order on Dec. 28. (Garrett James photo)

BCHL teams can practise together following revised health-order

Junior ‘A’ league commissioner still hopeful a season can be staged this year

BCHL team can now practise together in full, after a revision to the provincial health order on Dec. 28. (Garrett James photo)
Anne Hayes’ extensive dedication to BC Minor baseball has been recognized with the Baseball Canada Volunteer of the Year award. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Award reflects Crofton woman’s dedication to baseball

Baseball Canada’s Volunteer of the Year recipient always goes above and beyond the call of duty

Anne Hayes’ extensive dedication to BC Minor baseball has been recognized with the Baseball Canada Volunteer of the Year award. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Former Capitals goalie Zach Borgiel earned his first NCAA win on Dec. 6. (Citizen file)

Former Caps making a mark in college ranks

Goalies Borgiel and Corson, D-man Mikrogiannakis finding their place

Former Capitals goalie Zach Borgiel earned his first NCAA win on Dec. 6. (Citizen file)