Whalers set to host the Ice Hawks for their regular season finale on Inclusion and Graduation Night

As the 2024-25 PJHL regular season approaches its conclusion, the White Rock Whalers are set to take on the Delta Ice Hawks on Saturday, February 8^th at Centennial Arena. Puck drop is set for shortly after 7:30 pm, but make sure to arrive early for this special night on the Whalers regular season finale. The Whalers are hosting members of the CLBC Surrey Delta White Rock Community Council as part of “Inclusion Night”. This game will also be the “Whalers Graduation Night”, celebrating the careers of the five 20-year old Whalers players who will be playing in their final regular season PJHL game, before moving on to future endeavours in hockey and life.

Before getting into the details of the festivities happening at Centennial Arena on Saturday, let’s take a look at the matchup ahead for the Whalers. The 29-14-4 Whalers secured 3^rd place in the Tom Shaw Conference with a big win over the Mission City Outlaws last Saturday. The Whalers are confirmed to be taking on the 2^nd place Richmond Sockeyes (30-11-3-2) in the 1^st round of the PJHL playoffs, which will begin next week, following the survivor series. Meanwhile, the Whalers opponent for the night, the Delta Ice Hawks (33-10-3-2), clinched 1^st place in the Tom Shaw Conference with a big win over the Port Moody Panthers on Tuesday night. The Ice Hawks will await the winner of the Tom Shaw Conference survivor series (either the North Van Wolf Pack, Port Coquitlam Trailblazers or Grandview Steelers) to see who they will be battling in their 1^st round playoff matchup. While both teams have locked in their spot in the standings, Saturday’s nights game will still be a game that both teams will want to use as a final tune up before the playoffs begin.

As noted, Saturday’s game will be a night where the Whalers celebrate “community inclusion” with members of the CLBC Surrey – Delta – White Rock Community Council. Members of the council will be at the game, and the group will have a booth located in the lobby with prizes and giveaways.

CLBC (Community Living British Columbia), is a crown corporation that works with people, families, service providers and communities to help people have lives filled with many possibilities and welcoming communities. Volunteering opportunities are available across the province, and if you’re interested in helping this team, you can go to their website HERE (add hyperlink). During pre-game festivities, including the presentations for our Whalers graduates, make sure to pay attention to centre ice, as valued members of our Whalers volunteers will be helping present the grads with their green Whalers jerseys.

The 5 graduating Whalers players (born in 2004) are #13 Connor Hughes, #17 Ty Balchen, #29 Zach MacDonald, #48 Justin Osbourne and the Whalers captain, #58 Travis Smythe. Each of these players will leave their legacy as a Whaler no matter how long they were with the organization. Prior to the Whalers game against the Mission City Outlaws last Saturday, Whalers rink side reporter Madison Buckingham interviewed each of the Whalers graduates. Each player shared their favourite memory as a Whaler, their favourite all-time minor hockey memory, their plans after this season, and a lesson or skill that they will take away with them into the rest of their life that they learned during their time with the Whalers. Here’s a closer look at the Whalers five graduating players, and a summary of their responses to last Saturday’s pre-game interview.

Connor Hughes | No. 13

Acquired prior to the 2024-25 PJHL trade deadline, Connor played the majority of his PJHL career with the Port Moody Panthers. After spending 3 ½ seasons with the Panthers, including some time as captain, Connor played 18 games this season with the Whalers.

Connor appeared in 160 PJHL games in his career, scoring 81 goals and adding 125 assists for a total of 206 points.

Connor’s favourite memory as a Whaler was scoring the overtime-winning goal against the Richmond Sockeyes in his 1^st game with the team. On December 19^th, 2024, the Whalers defeated the Sockeyes in Richmond 2-1 in overtime. The game was a goalie battle through 3 periods, and Connor Hughes won the game for White Rock in his Whalers debut with 2 minutes left in overtime. Connor said it was a moment that made him feel welcomed on his new team. Connor’s favourite minor hockey memory was making the provincials with his Coquitlam Bantam A2 team. Connor served as the captain of that team, and it was the 1^st time they made the provincials in around 40 years. As for Connor’s plans after this season, he still hasn’t made a decision, but is currently talking to a few schools.

Connor’s biggest takeaway from his time as a Whaler was to always work hard in life, as he says it help him be successful.

Ty Balchen | No. 17

Also acquired from the Port Moody Panthers at the PJHL trade deadline was Ty, a longtime teammate of Connor’s. Ty spent 2 ½ seasons with the Panthers, before playing 19 games with the Whalers this season.

In 140 career PJHL games, Ty scored 78 goals and added 79 assists for a total of 157 points.

Ty’s favourite memory as a Whaler was simply put as “getting traded to the team”. He mentioned the win streak that the Whalers were on at the time, and hopes to get more wins coming up in the playoffs. Ty’s favourite minor hockey memory was going to the provincials in his 2^nd year of Bantam, being on the 1^st team from North Vancouver to make it that far. Ty’s plans after this season are likely to go to school, and he’ll see what happens with hockey, but he’s just focused on this season at the moment.

His biggest takeaway during his time as a Whaler was learning teamwork, as he said he learned that working together instead of on your own can make things easier on the ice.

Zach MacDonald | No. 29

Even though his hometown is in Ottawa, Ontario, Zach felt right at home with the Whalers this season. Prior to joining the PJHL this season, Zach played most of his minor hockey career in Ottawa and Brockville, with some time spent in Dryden and briefly in the USA. In 20 appearances this season, Zach went 11-5-0 with a 3.75 GAA and a save percentage of .894.

Zach’s favourite memory as a Whaler was during the “Family Day” weekend in October.

His family is still back at his home in Ottawa, but after the game on October 19^th, he was able to FaceTime them with his billet family and other members of the Whalers organization. Zach appeared in goal on this special night too, and he was named the 2^nd star of the game after making 41 saves on 46 shots in a 7-5 win over the 1^st place Ridge Meadows Flames. Zach’s favourite minor hockey moment was his U-13 season. This was a successful year for him in one of his 1^st seasons as a goalie, and it was his 1^st competitive season of hockey with his coach Tim, who he’s still in contact with today. Next season Zach plans to play for a school team, and he’s currently going through that process before finalizing his decision.

As a Whaler, Zach said he practiced being a good teammate while preaching “giving respect to earn respect”, which is an important skill he can take with him after hockey.

Justin Osbourne | No. 48

Justin played 2 seasons in Port Alberni prior to joining the Whalers in the 2023-24 season. After appearing in just 7 games last season, Justin played in almost every game this season.

In 52 career PJHL games, Justin scored 21 goals and had 11 assists for 32 points. Justin was on the Whalers during the playoffs last season, appearing in all 7 games, scoring twice and added 2 assists for 4 points.

Justin’s favourite memory as a Whaler was the epic triple overtime game in the playoffs last year against Grandview. The win on home ice helped the Whalers advance in the survivor series, moving on to the official 1^st round of the PJHL playoffs. Justin’s favourite memory from minor hockey was playing at Rogers Arena during a Canucks intermission when he was 7 years old. Justin scored during the mini game, and said it was an overall awesome experience.

After this season, Justin hopes to continue playing hockey, as he’s still currently exploring his options.

During his time with the Whalers, Justin learned the motto “give respect to earn respect”, a skill that goes a long way when learning to play with his teammates.

Travis Smythe | No. 58

Last but certainly not least is Travis, the current longest rostered member of the White Rock Whalers. Travis joined the Whalers in the 2021-22 season, and ended up playing 4 full seasons with the team, including serving time as the captain, becoming known for the leadership skills he brought to the team. In 168 career PJHL games (all with the Whalers), Travis scored 15 goals and added 26 assists for 41 points.

Travis’ favourite memory as a Whaler was scoring the game winning goal in triple overtime against Grandview last season in the playoffs, saying it was a special moment.

Travis’ favourite minor hockey moment was in his 2^nd year of Bantam in A1, where the team went to the provincials in Prince George. After this season, Travis says he likely plans to go to a trade school with plans of becoming an electrician.

As a Whaler, Travis said he learned how to be the hardest working person possible, giving 110% in whatever it is he is doing, and that it’s a skill he can take with him after hockey.

Make sure to join us at Centennial Arena on February 8^th at 7:30 pm to catch these players, and the rest of Whalers in action against the Ice Hawks. This night not only promises to be a special night for these players, but also a chance for the Whalers to celebrate inclusion during their regular season finale. Can’t make it to the game? Check out the live video broadcast available on FloHockey TV, or follow the score along at home on the official PJHL website.

“A bit of a theme with us – an inability to kind of keep our emotions at an even keel,” White Rock head coach Jason Rogers commented. He said that the coaching staff would continue to address the concern.

With six minutes left in the third period, Pilot Connor Jarvis cut the Pod’s lead to 3-2. Thankfully, Cole Svendson again earned his nickname with an insurance goal before the last minute of play.

Playoffs, here we come!

As of press time on Jan. 23, the Whalers have officially clinched a playoff spot for a chance to skate with the Ray Stonehouse Cup.
White Rock has a record of 23 wins, 15 losses and two shoot-out losses for 48 points. They currently sit third in the six-team Tom Shaw Conference.

The Whalers are 10 points behind the second seed, the Delta Ice Hawks and one point ahead of the fourth-seeded Grandview Steelers.