Season Preview: Victoria Shamrocks

Almost every year the Victoria Shamrocks are expected to compete in this league, so it may have been a little odd to see them sitting so low in last season’s standings.

A 9-12 record culminated in the Rocks finishing 6th in the league, but there is hope on the horizon. This is a group that was successful in Intermediate A a few years ago, and they’ll have one of the league’s best in multi-sport star Cole Pickup. 

One of the big questions for this team is if they can shore up its defensive systems to match the power they have in the offensive end. 

By the numbers

11.6 - Teams loved playing the Shamrocks’ D last season, and it’s something they looked to shore up over the winter. It wasn’t based on one problem area alone, but a dismal penalty kill and below average goaltending seemed to hurt the most.

53% - It’s hard to win very many games when opponents score on virtually every second power play. But the good thing is there is obvious room for improvement. A young D core won’t make as many mistakes as they get more experience, and that’ll lead to less penalties and a more robust penalty kill.

88 - Pickup led the team in both goals and points, with 37 and 88 respectively. Pickup has hit 30 goals all three seasons he’s been with the Rocks full-time, and if he can take his game to another level, we could see him eclipse 50. 

BCJALL 2016 POINT LEADERS

Goaltending concerns?

Victoria went through four different goalies throughout last season, including callups from Inter A and Junior B. Starter Mitchell Gurney seemed to especially struggle, and may not even be back with the team this season.

Through the early going, it looks like the tandem will be Will Kinnaird being backed up by Spencer Erwin, who had solid numbers in the BCILL in 2016. Erwin stopped 78 per cent of the shots he faced, and was capable in his few starts with the Junior Shamrocks. Kinnaird played with the Delta Islanders in 2016 but only made one appearance. 

King me

Things are going to get easier for Victoria once they get a few key guys back. That includes Marshal King, who is quickly becoming one of the hardest players for BCJALL teams to defend against. 

King only played 11 games after returning home from Drexel University, but scored 16 goals and was almost a four point per game player. In 2016, he 16 points behind seven goals in 15 appearances for the NCAA Dragons. 

King also shot the lights out despite only taking 57 of them. He shot an absurd 28 per cent on those. That’s an inflated total, but alongside Braylon Lumb’s strong shooting, the Shamrocks will be in good hands with guys who can score from anywhere on the floor. 

It remains to be seen if the Shamrocks can compete consistently this year. I suspect there will be a tough but tight and winnable game for Victoria all year. 

Prediction: 8-13, 6th place