In the world of spring hockey where there are no boundaries to ice powerhouse teams, the Vancouver Junior Giants still have its community roots in mind.
The development program is icing six teams this season, ranging from 2002 to 2006 born players. Training sessions are held weekday mornings at Tilbury and teams typically participate in jamborees and tournaments.
The Junior Giants are a spin off of the Kodiaks and Bears - one time South Delta based spring hockey teams run by current Vancouver Giants assistant coach Yogi Svejkovsky.
When he left to take on a director of hockey operations role with Seafair, the Western Hockey League club took over and approached Lawson "Boots" Boutilier to serve as the program's director and skills coach.
Boutilier happen to be the Head Coach of South Delta Minor Hockey and in charge of the association's top atom team that captured the tier one regular season and play-off banners for the first time in recent memory.
"What we are trying to do is keep it predominately South Delta players and work with the kids in community and develop them in this program," explained Boutilier. "It's a natural fit with the Giants and the community, bringing both together.
"(Head coach) Don (Hay) will talk to the kids and Giant players come to the practices. It's a real nice fit for everyone."
Boutilier has found there is typically more enthusiasm for spring hockey than the winter season as initiation level players get to play along side players of equal ability.
The Junior Giants are holding their second annual fund raiser golf tournament on Monday at the Beach Grove Golf Club. Last year's event raised $10,000. This year's keynote speaker is former NHL player and coach Ryan Walter.
For more on the Junior Giants program visit www. vancouverjuniorgiants.com
