It was a storybook ending for two Prince George hockey products who brought home some hardware on Thursday after completing their junior hockey careers with the West Kelowna Warriors.
Jake LeBrun and Liam Blackburn showcased the RBC and Fred Page Cup at Kin 1 taking pictures with fans and fellow colleagues.
Both players went on a magical run with the Warriors this spring by knocking off the Penticton Vees in the second round followed by defeating the Nanaimo Clippers and Chilliwack Chiefs in rounds 3 and 4 respectively.
From there, they captured the Western Canada Cup in Estevan, Saskatchewan by defeating the Brooks Bandits 6-0 and capped off the dream run in the RBC Cup Final against the host Lloydminster Bobcats blanking them 4-0.
LeBrun says it all turned out great in the end after being dealt from his hometown team the Prince George Spruce Kings. “I never really moved away from home before so it was a change of scenery but it all worked out for the best.”
Blackburn spent the majority of his Junior A career with West Kelowna after his playing days with the Cariboo Cougars and felt good about the Warriors chances after the holiday break.
“Right after Christmas we stepped up and had a good record the rest of the season by only losing a couple of games and then we won a couple of games against Penticton. Right after that we knew we could beat any team.”
Blackburn will be attending New Hampshire University at the end of August while the future isn’t quite so clear for LeBrun.
He adds a few options are on the table, but nothing concrete at this time.
“I have not really crossed that bridge yet, I have a couple of options open with UBC and NCAA Division 3 but I will wait and see how it goes.”
LeBrun had 10 points in 24 playoff games with the Warriors followed by 109 points in 170 BCHL games with the Spruce Kings and West Kelowna.
Blackburn on the other hand ripped it up in the BCHL with 194 points in 164 games along with a 23 point playoff performance in 2016.
He also ended up tied for the RBC Cup scoring lead with 7 points in 5 games.
The Cariboo Cougars hosted the event in their dressing room.
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