Two Prince George minor hockey products have been recognized by the B.C. Hockey League for the dedication they have demonstrated as hockey humanitarians.
Josh Sale of the Blackfalds Bulldogs and Nathan Mackie of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks were chosen as the Kyle Turris Community Award winners for their respective teams.
The league announced its Interior Conference winners on Friday.
Sale, a 19-year-old forward, joined the Bulldogs last season from the Cariboo Cougars U18 program. In 35 games with the Bulldogs he collected four goals and three assists for seven points.
“Sale is always happy to volunteer and give a helping hand with a smile on his face, leading the team in volunteer hours last season,” said the Bulldogs, in a media release.
“He volunteers at the Central Alberta Humane Society weekly and also visits schools in Blackfalds. Sale is a caring person who contributes greatly to his community.”
Blackfalds is one of five Alberta-based teams joining the BCHL this season after starting last year in the Alberta Junior Hockley League.
Sale has signed with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for the 2024-25 season.
Mackie, 20, left Prince George in 2018 to join the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton and was at OHA for three seasons before he caught on with the Silverbacks in 2021. Last season, as the team captain, he put up 10 goals and 12 assists in 47 regular season games. He also had six goals and six assists in 18 playoff games as he helped the Silverbacks reach the third round, which they eventually lost in seven games to Penticton.
“Not only is Mackie a leader on the ice as team captain, he continued to be a leader off of it for our organization,” according to the Silverbacks release to announce the community award.
“He’s built off the standard of our past captains and continues to be a role model within our community. Our program is very fortunate to have a player with such high character.”
Mackie will move on to NCAA Division 1 hockey, playing this season for Michigan State.
On Thursday, Prince George Spruce Kings forward Carter Hesselgrave of Quesnel was announced as the team’s choice for the Turris award.
