Huskies peaking at the right time as team heads into playoffs

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  Fort St. John Huskies head coach Todd Alexander feels his team is peaking at the right time, after enjoying a winning streak through January.

Just three games remain for his squad in the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL)’s 2024-25 season: a pair of games against the Fairview Flyers on January 27th and February 1st and a mid-week affair with the Dawson Creek Kodiaks in between.

In fact, by Saturday, Fort St. John will have seen the Flyers three times in just over a week. Their game on January 24th at North Peace Arena saw the visitors rally from three goals down before the Huskies prevailed with a score of 6-4.

The scoring was buoyed by six different Huskies lighting up the red light in the win. 

Fort St. John also announced defenceman Adam Bourgeois and forwards Ryan Ungstad and Grayden Alexander had completed 100 games with the team.

Alexander said each player brings something different to the Huskies. In particular, he says Bourgeois’ experience in other leagues and his emotional play has radiated throughout the team.

“Just how he is in the locker room with the young guys and making sure everybody is comfortable,” said the head coach. “He doesn’t segregate anybody just because they’re a first-year player.

“On the back end, he’s the straw that stirs the drink. He’s been a real breath of fresh air for us with his personality.”

If Friday’s victory was a grind-out affair, Sunday’s win over North Peace in Alberta seemed much easier.

The team rolled to an 8-2 win marked by the four-goal performance from defenceman Jordan LaGreca.

LaGreca’s evening puts him at 12 goals on the year, good for second in the NWJHL among defencemen.

Alexander feels LaGreca’s season should have him in the running for the league’s defenceman of the year. 

“He’s a very important piece for us,” said Alexander. “He’s an every situation type of guy. As the competition goes up, Jordan’s able to raise his game. It showed last year in the playoffs.”

After this weekend’s regular-season finale, the Huskies will open the playoffs during the first week of February.

For more information about the Huskies, visit the team’s website or Facebook and Instagram pages.