Two North Okanagan hockey players were named top stars in their respective leagues, after an impressive week of competition.
Vernon Vipers forward Hank Cleaves was named the first star of the week in the BCHL, as he lead the league with two goals and five assists in just two games.
The Connecticut native had three points in the Vipers 6-4 win in Victoria over the Grizzlies on Friday, Feb. 9. The next night, in Cowichan Valley, Cleaves added three helpers and a goal for his second four-point outing of the season. The Vipers won 9-2.
Currently, the Dartmouth College native is second on the team in scoring, with 32 points in 26 games.
In the KIJHL, North Okanagan Knights forward Gage Parrell was selected as the league’s top forward of the week, for his five points in two games.
Against the Chase Heat on Friday, Feb. 9, the Salmon Arm local collected two assists, including the game winner in the 5-2 victory. The next night, against the Osoyoos Coyotes, Parrell assisted on Nolan Kelly’s goal to cut the Coyotes lead to 3-1, then assisted on the goal to force overtime, before scoring the OT winner with his 14th of the season.
The 18-year-old leads the team in points with 44 in 34 games.
North Okanagan next plays the Princeton Posse on Friday, Feb. 16 while the Vipers are in Penticton on Friday to face the Vees.
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