As this season’s exhibition games draw to a close, all eyes turn to opening day for the 2021/22 PJHL season.
The first game of the new campaign is a clash between the White Rock Whalers and the Delta Ice Hawks.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm at the Ladner Leisure Centre, with live updates being provided through the Game Center on https://www.whiterockwhalers.ca .
Tuesday’s match up will be White Rock’s first in over 300 days, after defeating the Aldergrove Kodiaks 6-3 at Minoru Arena last November. While a number of players will be returning to the Whalers roster from that night, coach Jay Rogers has been busy adding new additions to his roster right through Main Camp last week.
Whalers defeated the Aldergrove Kodiaks 6-3 at Minoru Arena last November, over 300 days ago.
With several players away for training camps of BCHL and WHL teams, Rogers addressed the difficulty of nailing down a line up.
“It’s a really strange year. All of the other leagues are causing players to filter down but they’re starting later this year and we’re starting earlier. We don’t know what it’s all going to look like a few weeks from now. The plan is to go forward with what we have, and to be prepared with the best you have at that time, and you worry about making those decisions later.” – Jason Rogers
Having gone undefeated in pre-season, beating both Surrey and Langley by a combined score of 10-3, hopes are high around the Whalers camp heading into Tuesday. The Pod is 1-2 all time in their respective season openers, ahead of kicking off their fourth year in the PJHL.
White Rock then hosts the Grandview Steelers on Saturday night at 7:30pm, their first home game since the 2019/20 playoffs. Capacity is limited at Centennial Arena, so be sure to arrive early enough to get a ticket and enjoy our pre-game festivities. It is mandatory that face coverings be worn throughout the duration of the game.
