The Appollos are back playing hockey at the lake.
The latest incarnation of the historic Lake Cowichan franchise will suit up in BC Hockey's Senior Men's AA division this season, and will compete for the McCallum Cup (the Vancouver Island championship), as well as the Coy Cup (the provincial championship).
"We are dedicated to not only having success on the ice but also to carrying on the tradition of the prior team by contributing to local charities, minor hockey programs, and other community initiatives," said second-generation Appollo, Keenen Eddy, an assistant captain on the ice and the team's treasurer, off.
Eddy said the team will help shortage of places for senior men to play in a competitive environment on Vancouver Island. But it's more than that. It's about carrying on the team's legacy.
"The resurrection of the team was born out of a few different factors," Eddy explained. "First, some of the people involved with the new age of the Appollos were either involved in the original team or are the children of former players who grew up watching the team. Second, although they might not be kin of former players, the Appollos had an impact on youth in the area that has lasted to this day. That has influenced the drive to work to get the team up and running again."
The Apppollos were first established around the same time the Cowichan Lake Arena was built in 1971.
"It goes back a ways," laughed team president Ross Forrest. And he should know.
"I'm a huge Appollos guy," Forrest said, adding that he spent more than 35 years with the team in every role imaginable, from player to coach to manager to even driving the team bus.
"I went and watched their first practice and there are some very good players there," Forrest added. "There's a lot of talent in the Cowichan Valley. They're very impressive."
The team consists of players who have played in in professional, WHL, BCHL, VIJHL, and collegiate leagues and still have the desire to play competitive hockey.
Coached by former Lake Cowichan Appollos player Adam Smith, the team will feature assistant coaches Glen Smith of Lake Cowichan, and Mike Eddy of Mesachie Lake.
Hockey fans will recognize many of the players as the vast majority grew up within the Cowichan Valley Regional District's borders before venturing out to play hockey at a higher level.
Josh Anderson will fill the role as team captain. The Cowichan Minor Hockey product was drafted in the third round by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL draft. Anderson won a WHL Championship with the Swift Current Broncos, before playing professionally in the ECHL and AHL.
Lake Cowichan Minor Hockey star Parker Bergstrom will be an assistant captain. Bergstrom was a force in his time with the Kerry Park Islanders, averaging more than a point per game before moving on to play at VIU and become an assistant coach for the Lake Cowichan Kraken.
Lake Cowichan's Braydon Nelson, Duncan's Trey Watson, and Ladysmith's Cole Broadhurst round out the team's leadership group.
Nelson is a Lake Cowichan Minor Hockey product and played for the BCHL's Alberni Valley Bulldogs before stints with the Kerry Park Islanders, Battleford North Stars and the Nanaimo Buccaneers.
Watson spent his entire junior career with the Buccaneers while Broadhurst was with the Cowichan Valley Capitals for the better part of his.
"We're playing out of Lake Cowichan but we're representing the entire Cowichan Valley," Forrest noted. "I was impressed by how good this team is going to be with the calibre of players committed to play."
The goal is to work with the VIJHL's Lake Cowichan Kraken to return the Town to what it once was — a hockey town.
"If you like to watch good hockey, you will have the opportunity starting soon to watch and cheer on two teams that most certainly will provide great entertainment at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena," Forrest said. "It is critical that both of these teams have a strong fan base to succeed. With limited entertainment options to choose from in our community, let’s get out and bring this Town back as a true hockey market where fans want to attend for a great experience. So far the buzz and excitement is very encouraging."
Appollos' home opener is Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. against the Powell River Regals and will be followed, the team believes, by eight other home games. The schedule has yet to be confirmed.
An Appollos alumni game is set for Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon.
