Two members of the Prince George Cougars office staff are joining a prestigious hall of fame class that honours hockey on a provincial level.
Eric Brewer, a former player and current part-owner of the organization, and Fraser Rodgers, the team’s current play-by-play voice, are among the 2020 induction class for the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame, where those who’ve contributed to the growth of the game.
Brewer is among four individual figures receiving a call to the hall, while Rodgers is called as part of the 2012 national championship-winning Penticton Vees club.
Originally from Vernon, Brewer played three seasons with the Cats (1995-1998) before moving up to the NHL for 16 years, suiting in 168 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and recording 14 goals and 76 points.
Alum & owner Eric Brewer has been named to the 2020 induction class of the BC Hockey Hall of Fame! Congratulations Eric! pic.twitter.com/jFeDZMl6Oa
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) January 27, 2020
The now 40-year-old served as an alternate captain in his final season in Prince George, when he also went to play for Canada at the World Junior Championships.
A year earlier, the defenceman was taken fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the 1997 NHL Draft, and, in 2002, won a gold medal with Canada’s Olympic team in Salt Lake City.
Brewer is now a part-owner of the Prince George Cougars when the franchise was sold to EDGEPro Sports and Entertainment.
As for Rodgers, his first of six seasons as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Penticton Vees was one to remember.
The 31-year-old called the Vees’ infamous 42-game B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) win streak under Head Coach and General Manager Fred Harbinson, ultimately finishing 2011-12 with a record of 54-4-2-0.
Penticton went on to win the Fred Page Cup, Doyle Cup and National Junior ‘A’ Championship on a roster that included 15 B.C.-born players such as current Vancouver Canucks defenceman Troy Stecher and Prince George goaltender Michael Garteig.
Rodgers broadcasted the team through until the 2016-17 season, which also included two more provincial titles (2015, 2016) and one regional banner (2015).
He moved to Prince George to become the newest Cats’ voice in 2017-18.
2012 Penticton Vees get the call to the Hall as they'll be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in July.
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) January 28, 2020
Read: https://t.co/GMFFwGYfUh pic.twitter.com/UA7j7ryQu3
Brewer and Rodgers are inducted in their respective categories alongside Mattias Ohlund, Jay Sharrers, Ray Stonehouse and the 2002 WHL and Memorial Cup-champion Kootenay Ice.
The B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame is located at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, where a formal dinner and presentation will take place July 24.
The Prince George Cougars host the Tri-City Americans this weekend, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, at the CN Centre as part of their six-game homestand.
Saturday is the team’s Country Night.
