A new invitational hockey game is set to include a trio of Port Moody Panthers, who are in the midst of a bounce-back season with its young, eager roster.
The BC Hockey Conference (BCHC) — an alliance between the Pacific (PJHL) and Kootenay (KIJHL) junior leagues — is set to host a prospects game later this month showcasing the province's best junior 'B' players.
Panthers rookie and Port Moody product Dylan Emerson is among a total of five Tri-Cities-based athletes that'll display their talents before dozens of coaches and scouts from higher levels of hockey.
The 17-year-old forward will be joined by teammates Bruce Grey and Ryden Mathieson for the BCHC's inaugural event.
The Port Moody Panthers are one of four PJHL teams with three or more players on the conference's roster for its Chilliwack friendly against the KIJHL.
Emerson, who won the B.C. U18AAA championship with the Vancouver North East Chiefs last year, has had a standout rookie campaign thus far with 11 assists and 13 points in 13 games.
He's also one of eight BCHC prospects game participants affiliated with a junior 'A' team — the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Meanwhile, Grey is currently the top defenceman on the Panthers' scoresheet with 15 points in 20 games, including a team-leading 13 assists.
Mathieson, who was traded to Port Moody from White Rock this past summer, has also compiled 15 points to date in his second PJHL season.
The 18-year-old alternate captain is averaging just under a point per game, tallying eight goals and seven assists in 17 games.
He's also on the 50-player protected list for the WHL's Prince George Cougars, according to the Panthers' website.
Emerson, Grey and Mathieson will be joined by Coquitlam's Colin Jang and Brayden Sinclair — both members of the Delta Ice Hawks — at the BCHC prospects game, scheduled for Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
Coquitlam Express affiliate players Theo Kochan and Michael McIntyre will also hit the ice that evening at the Sardis Sports Complex in Chilliwack.
Season update
On the ice, Port Moody has already more than doubled its numbers in the win column compared to last year.
Even more impressive, the Panthers' got their first shut out of the 2022-23 season Friday (Nov. 11) with a 4-0 victory over Aldergrove to complete a three-game homestand.
Goaltender Adam Goody turned aside all 40 shots from the Kodiaks for the second clean sheet of his PJHL career, while his skaters went on an offensive outburst by sending 53 pucks to the other net
Kai Hughes and Austin Todd each recorded two points, a goal and an assist.
The win ended a two-game losing skid, brings Port Moody to three games back of 500 with a record of 8-11-1-0 and only a win behind third place in the Tom Shaw division.
The Panthers will now hit the road for two games before returning home on Nov. 26 for a 7:30 p.m. clash with Mission at Port Moody Arena.
