A trio of South Delta players helped the Richmond Blues win an unprecedented fifth consecutive provincial title at last month's B.C. Hockey Juvenile Championships.
Mike Avery, Adam Ens and goalie Jamie Guichon were all returning players as the Blues not only continued their dynasty but triumphed on home ice at Minoru Arenas.
Richmond's victory was hardly a surprise but it took plenty of work and a little help to get there. The regular season champions came out flat in a 4-2 opening game loss to North Delta. They climbed back into contention with solid wins over Coquitlam (4-1) and Langley (6-0). Surrey then handed them a heartbreaking 5-4 loss, notching the winner with just 23 seconds remaining. However, the spoiler proved to be Juan De Fuca as the Island squad produced ties against Coquitlam and Surrey, opening the door for the Blues to clinch second and earn a rematch with unbeaten North Delta.
The Blues took control with a strong second period en route to a convincing 6-1 win. Avery scored a pair of goals.
Earlier this season, Ens was among the individual players to be honoured at the 32nd annual Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association Scholarship Tournament - receiving a bursary award.
The Blues are coached by Maurice Hamlin and his son Richard.
Maurice, a Tsawwassen resident, is a Delta Sports Hall of Fame inductee and a past winner of the B.C. Hockey and PCAHA Coach of the Year Awards for his
outstanding years of service and dedication - helping to extend the careers of many players.
