Team’s name to be decided in the next month

could be turned into reality

All were supportive, said

Toor

PJHL commissioner

Trevor Alto said the league had been eyeing another team to attain balanced divisions since it revived the old Chilliwack Jets franchise in 2020

He said Toor’s passion, community and civic support as well as the spanking new 800-seat facility that is one of three arenas at the community centre proved a winning combination

“This facility is a crown jewel,” Alto said, adding Toor’s long-term vision for the team as a community builder fills him with confidence it will be a success.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said he’s been waiting for this day.

He shared his own memories of running up and

City of Coquitlam PUBLIC NOTICE

down the bleachers of the dingy old rec centre, horsing around with his own hockey buddies as the old Buckaroos played on the ice, then heading home with his head full of hockey dreams

“They looked like giants,” he said of the junior hockey players he followed when he was young.

“It really gives you something to be inspired by.”

West said with the recent announcement of a new high-performance soccer centre to be built at Gates Park, and the completion of the $135-million community centre that’s already hosted visits BCHL and Western Hockey League games and was the training camp base for the Abbotsford Canucks AHL team last September , Port Coquitlam has gained some real sporting momentum.

Having a hockey team residents can call their own will only push that further along

“Sport brings people together,” he said. “It contributes to community building.”

Toor said now that the franchise his official, his next order of business will be to give it a name. He said so far there’s been support for bringing back the old Buckaroos’ name, as well as linking it to the Pirates’ minor moniker. A final de- cision will be made by late February or early March.

Toor also announced a special prospects tournament to be held from April 21–23, where coach Greg Ross and general manager Ryan Ross will be able to identify local players ready to take the jump to Junior B. From there, it will be only a matter of filling the seats.

“We want to see 800 roaring, crazy fans every Friday night,” Toor said.