If you were to describe the recent history of the Pacific Junior Hockey League as a fable, the North Van Wolf Pack could seemingly be renamed the North Van Tortoises.
It's been slow and steady every year since the team left Squamish for the North Shore before the 2011-12 season. They've set a franchise record for wins in each of their three seasons here, making the playoffs for the first time in Year 1 and then winning their first ever playoff series last season. Keeping up their steady gains would see them finish near the top of the standings in the always tough Tom Shaw conference again this year and then maybe advance to the conference finals for the first time ever, stopping one step short of the league championship series.
North Van head coach and general manager Matt Samson, however, has had enough of slow and steady. When the 2014-15 season gets underway this week he wants to be the hare, minus the lollygagging of course.
"Let's skip a step and take the league," said Samson. "There's no reason that we shouldn't."
Samson said the team has the talent to do it.
"I think with the group we have, and just looking around the league, a lot of teams have lost a lot and we're getting the most back," he said. "And I think we've got the best group of newly signed guys as a whole. On paper, I think we're definitely one of the favourites. For me, I wouldn't be happy with not winning the league this year. I think this is our year.... I want to win it this year. That's the goal. Anything short of that would be a disappointment for me, based on the group that we have right now."
Those high expectations are fueled by a strong group of 20-year-old players who should anchor the team during their final year of junior hockey. The group includes North Vancouver twins Spencer and Dyllan Quon, Mitchell Crisanti, also of North Vancouver, Vancouver's Brodyn Nielson and Richmond's Daniel Tait.
"(Those are) four or five of the top 20-year-olds in the league and they're all on our team," said Samson. "That's definitely nice to have. Those guys can help you win."
Not only are the players looking to end their junior careers on a high note, but most of them are also auditioning for spots on college and university teams next season, said Samson.
Spencer and Dyllan are both coming off superb seasons with the Pack and are eyeing Simon Fraser University next season with the hope that they could even catch on at an NCAA Div. 1 school. Spencer was third in the league in scoring with 69 points in 43 games last season, and Samson expects even more output this year.
"First and foremost he's a playmaker, and we've got guys who can bury the puck. It's going to be pretty exciting to watch."
Dyllan, meanwhile, led all PJHL defencemen in scoring last season, picking up 42 points in 40 games.
"I don't know how he didn't win either most improved player in the league or best defenceman," said Samson. "He is the best defenceman in the league for sure. Both ends of the ice he's responsible, he's got great vision and is able to put up points from the backend. That's something that you can't teach."
Crisanti, meanwhile, will be expected to help fill the void left by graduating sharpshooter Marcus Houck. Crisanti was rostered by four teams last season before finding a comfortable spot on his hometown club. He showed what he could do in the playoffs, tying for the team lead with 12 points in 10 games.
"He's a guy that can score 40 goals in this league," said Samson. "He kind of bounced around last year but he's definitely comfortable now and I'm looking for a huge year from him. He knows where he's going to be, he's comfortable, he's motivated for his last year. He's a dangerous player. He's got a pro-level shot and is definitely a threat every time he's out there."
Tait was picked up from the Richmond Sockeyes in a trade midway through last season and Samson is excited to see what he can do in a full year. Nielsen, meanwhile, is a blast from the past. He scored 38 points in 41 games for the Wolf Pack as a 17-year-old in 2011-12 before moving on to try his luck at higher levels, including a stint in the WHL. He just returned to North Van late last week and Samson can't wait to unleash him on the league.
"He's going to be one of the fastest guys in the league," said Samson. "He's got a good shot, pretty good finish around the net."
On defence Samson will be looking for strong play anchored by Dyllan Quon along with fellow North Vancouver product Troy Ring, who showed well as a rookie last season.
"I think (Ring) is going to be an all-star for us this year, based on what I've seen," said Samson. Burnaby product Connor Pasco and Hollyburn grad Zach Bleuler are expected to round out the top four on the blueline.
Goaltending is the one big question mark heading into opening night. Last year's co-No. 1s, Braden Krogfoss and Anders Ten Vaanholt, are both gone, leaving newbies Nicholas Anderson, Sergio Del-Linz and Trevor Withers fighting to fill the vacancy. Anderson is penciled in as the starter but each will get a chance to seize control of the position, said Samson.
"I said this to all three of these guys: between the three of them they have zero wins at the junior level. So we're looking for a guy to kind of step up. They're all capable goalies, hopefully they all push each other. That position is a question mark... but they're all guys that can play."
The Wolf Pack will be tested right out of the gate, taking on two fierce rivals in the first week. On Tuesday they'll travel to Delta to take on the Ice Hawks before hosting last year's conference champs, the Sockeyes, in their home opener Saturday, Sept. 13 starting at 7 p.m. at Harry Jerome Arena.
"It's a good test right away," said Samson. "We struggle with Richmond. I'm excited to play our home opener, I'm looking forward to that.... We'd love to have a pretty buzzing crowd there to check out this year's team. I think they'll like what they see out there."
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The Wolf Pack's schedule is now posted at nsnews.com. Click on "Hockey Schedules" in the sports section.
