After one of the most successful seasons in franchise history, the Bulldogs will look to keep the momentum rolling into the 22-23 season.
With as many as 13 returning veterans expected to be in the opening night line-up, combined with a crop of exciting recruits, the Bulldogs are feeling as optimistic as any team in the BCHL this season that they have an opportunity to compete for a championship.
The Bulldogs rattled off 4 straight wins to finish the pre-season, primarily with rostered players in the line-up. Some familiar names were key to the weekend success in Port McNeill. Hobie Hedquist blanked Powell River as he made 28 saves for a 1-0 shutout win. The next day it was Chase Klassen, the Bulldogs captain who had a 5 point afternoon with 2 goals and 3 assists in a 8-4 drubbing of the Kings. There was obvious chemistry on the weekend between Klassen and newcomers Cam Van Sickle who scored 3 times on the weekend and AJ Vasko a 20-year old who was acquired from Cranbrook in an off-season trade.
The roster features a pair of former Bombers in Brady McIsaac and goaltender Callum Tung, as well as new additions Jaxon Wismer, Matt Kursonis, Will Elger and Tristan Taylor.
The defence features the return of the same group that led the Coastal Conference in goals against, with team MVP Hobie Hedquist between the pipes and Callum Tung, the Bombers MVP pushing for minutes.
It all gets started on Friday night at the Q Centre in Victoria. Buckle up Bulldogs fans, this promises to be a tremendous season.
