The Fraser Valley Thunderbirds are back on the ice, and the 2015 edition of the British Columbia Major Midget League team features six Abbotsford talents.
Local products Justin Hargrave, Zac McKee, Jake Mulder, Justin Plett, Andrew Sorensen and Kyle Davis all were named to the team, which began regular season play on Saturday and Sunday in Kamloops against the Thompson Blazers.
The Thunderbirds opened the two game set with a 3-2 loss on Saturday. The Blazers opened the scoring in the first period but Fraser Valley tied the game up when Plett scored after being set up by Hargrave. The two teams were tied at the end of two, with Mulder picking up an assist on the Thunderbirds’ second goal. Thompson added a goal in the third period to skate away with the win.
Fraser Valley bounced back on Sunday, picking up a 6-2 win. Hargrave had a big night, with one goal and three assists. Also scoring points were McKee (goal) and Davis (assist). The Thunderbirds were down 2-1 after one period, but then scored five unanswered goals to pick up the victory.
The Thunderbirds are made up of players aged 15 to 17 from Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack, Mission and Langley. The team plays its home games at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.
Last season the Thunderbirds finished eighth in the 11 team BCMML, with a record of 17 wins, 18 losses and five ties.
Next up for the Thunderbirds is a two-game series against the Okanagan Rockets at the Richmond Oval on Sept. 26 and 27. The first home game of the season is against the Vancouver NE Chiefs on Oct. 4 at 9:45 a.m.
For more information on the team, visit fvthunderbirds.com.