The Lake Cowichan Appollos are bolstering their roster ahead of their upcoming season with the addition of five new players, bringing a mix of skill, experience, scoring ability — and familiar faces — to the lineup.
The new recruits are expected to strengthen the team at both ends of the ice, adding leadership, offensive firepower and dynamic play-making to the roster.
Joining his twin brother Brendon on the team is Anthony Wilson, 21. The forward came up through Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey before moving on to the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League's Lake Cowichan Kraken and Victoria Cougars.
Wilson wrapped up his junior career with 50 points in 45 games last season.
Defender Ryan Hogg, 26, is also returning to his roots in the region. A product of Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey, Hogg advanced to junior hockey with the B.C. Hockey League's Cowichan Capitals and went on to play NCAA Division III hockey for SUNY-Plattsburgh, where he captained the team.
Hogg is the son of Appollos alumnus Mike Hogg and the brother of current Apollos forward Brendan Hogg.
A familiar face around the rink for many, Sukhraj Narwal, 23, of Surrey, joins the Appollos full time after previously suiting up as an affiliate player last season, where the power forward notched seven points in five games.
Narwal was a standout player with the Lake Cowichan Kraken for parts of two seasons, tallying 26 goals and 23 helpers for 49 points in 42 games.
Adding to the Appollos' new firepower is another Cowichan Valley minor hockey product, Bryce Burnett, 21. The speedy forward has a knack for finding the net and brings junior experience from both Ontario and Vancouver Island. Last season, he skated with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Blind River Beavers before returning to a prominent role with the VIJHL's Kerry Park Islanders to finish the year. Burnett recorded 38 points in 29 games last season and added 16 points in 10 playoff appearances.
And finally, Braden Kmita from Airdrie, Alta. has come out of retirement to join the team. Kmita is no stranger to Lake Cowichan, having called the town home for the past few years. The 34-year-old defender played junior A hockey in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Weyburn Red Wings, where he registered 12 points and 170 penalty minutes in 51 games and most recently played in the Big Six Hockey League with the Midale Mustangs.
With a the inaugural West Coast Senior Hockey League season set to begin, the Appollos, and their new additions, look to build momentum and excitement for the season ahead.
