The new business model of hockey development in Prince George and across north-central B.C. is taking shape on the ice.
Four teams under the inaugural Cariboo Cougars hockey program have released their 18 or 19-man rosters for each respective 2019-20 campaign.
The Major Midget Cats, the top male team in the six-club format, had their season-openers this past weekend at Kin 1 Arena in celebrating their 2019 B.C. Championship banner and listing their roster and leadership group.
They split the two-game series with the Thompson Blazers with an overtime loss on Saturday (Sept. 21) and a win on Sunday (Sept. 22).
So, who will be playing underneath them in hopes of developing for the top level of local minor hockey?
We’ve gathered the rosters of those local and regional athletes named to squads at the Minor Midget, Midget ‘AA’, Major Bantam, and Bantam ‘AA’ levels.
Cariboo Minor Midget Cougars
The Minor Midgets will look to build off last season’s semi-final exit when they lost 2-1 in their best-of-three series to the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds, ending 2018-19 in third place in the 10-team league.
They went 14-10-1-5 in regular-season play with Fort St. John product Hunter Brown leading the team with 17 goals and 31 points.
Look for players on this squad, who are potential WHL draft picks, to get called up to fill in with the Cariboo Cougars should an injury take place with Tyler Brough’s club.
The Minor Midget Cats is coached by Ryan Howse.
North Central Midget ‘AA’ Bobcats
This group of 15 to 17-year-olds is looking to turn the tables around after finishing last in the six-team league with a record of 3-15-2-0.
This past weekend, the Bobcats took a trip to Fort St. John for a two-game exhibition series against the Trackers, but lost 3-0 and 4-3 respectively.
The Midget ‘AA’ Bobcats is coached by Jason Garneau.
Cariboo Major Bantam Cougars
B.C. Hockey unveiled a new pilot project earlier this year, starting a B.C. Major Bantam League similar to the Minor and Major Midget levels.
The league consist of eight teams, including Prince George, who officially joined on May 3, 2019, with 13 and 14-year-old players who could potentially be drafted into the WHL.
The Major Bantam Cats is coached by Mirsad Mujcin.
North Central Bantam ‘AA’ Bobcats
It’ll be a special season for the reigning B.C. Bantam champions.
The North Central Bobcats wowed the home crowd with an undefeated provincial banner-winning tournament and will look to repeat in their league of nine teams.
They compiled a record of 15-2-3, good for second in the regular season, with Nico Myatovic at the helm with 17 goals and 43 points in 16 games.
The Bantam ‘AA’ squad is coached by Brent McIsaac.
