Port Coquitlam's new junior hockey team is called the Trailblazers.
The 14th team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) announced its new moniker today (Feb. 22) on social media.
In a statement, the team said the name reflects the city's Coast Salish origins, its "breathtaking landscape" and the best of its residents, including the late Terry Fox, who grew up in Port Coquitlam.
"Our team's name shouldn't just represent some of us, but aspire to represent all of us," the statement read.
"We believe our team name highlights the best of who we are, and who we aspire to be."
The franchise was awarded to Vancouver lawyer Rob Toor, who’s also a coach in the PoCo Pirates minor hockey association, earlier this month.
It marks the return of junior 'B' hockey to the city after the old Port Coquitlam Buckeroos departed for Port Moody in 2006.
Toor said the advent of the city’s new $135-million community centre with its three ice pads and an enthusiastic response to a social media campaign he launched last spring to gauge interest in bringing junior hockey back to Port Coquitlam sparked him into action. He also hopes the team will provide opportunities for the city’s top young players to develop their skills close to home.
"There's amazing passion for hockey in the community," he said after the team was announced in a ceremony at centre ice of the 800-seat Jon Baillie Arena where it will play home games.
"People really want a local team to identify with."
PJHL commissioner said the new facility and Toor's long-term vision for the team as a community builder stand to make the Trailblazers a successful venture.
The team’s logo and colours have yet to be unveiled, but the purple, gold and black colour scheme of the social media announcement may provide a clue about what’s coming.
The Trailblazers will be hosting a special prospects tournament April 21-23 where coach Greg Ross and general manager Ryan Ross will be able to identify local players ready to take the jump to junior 'B' hockey when the team officially begins playing games next September.
