Berkley Gross, Thunder Cats forward, has gained notice by the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
Scoring four goals and adding an assist in three games recently earned him a place in the Young Guns selection.
The Edmonton native had two goals and an assist with the winning goal for a 4-3 overtime win against the Kimberley Dynamiters on Oct. 26. Then in a 6-4 win over the Williams Lake Mustangs, Gross had two goals on Oct. 27.
“Outside of his recent success, he's been one of our most consistent guys and is a phenomenal skater who has a really good hockey IQ,” said Head Coach Geordie Wudrick. “I use Berkley in almost any situation. He's found good success and chemistry with Liam Munro and Ti Regan and that line has been working really hard.”
Gross leads the Thunder Cats with 19 points and has a team-leading 10 goals. His 19 points also ranks him fourth among the KIJHL points leaders.
On Nov. 6, the KIJHL announced the roster for the third annual British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) Top Prospects Game, and Gross made the list.
The roster selection process was guided by head coach Dave Hnatiuk and his coaching and operations staff over the past month. Prospects Game rosters are composed primarily of 2007- and 2008-born players, with a maximum of six 2006-born players eligible to be selected.
“Our staff faced a number of difficult choices in narrowing down the group that will represent the KIJHL at the 2024 BCHC Top Prospects Game,” said Hnatiuk. “It was exciting to see the increase of WHL-drafted and listed athletes in our player pool this season, and we look forward to beginning our off-ice preparations so that this group can capitalize on the opportunity to showcase themselves at this event.”
The KIJHL’s Top Prospects will travel to Langley on Nov. 17 for the two-day event, which will include a team practice, participation in the WHL Testing Combine, and an event banquet on the Monday prior to the game the next evening.
The 2024 BCHC Top Prospects Game will face off at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the George Preston Recreation Centre in Langley, B.C. and will be broadcast on Flo Hockey.
