Merritt Centennials voted most improved team in the BCHL

MERRITT — It’s no secret the last half decade for the Merritt Centennials and their fans have been exceptionally tumultuous. The Cents haven’t won more than 14 games since 2019 when they finished first in the Interior division, that was head coach Joe Martin’s last season at the helm with the Centennials.

Last season started off somewhat better with the Cents starting off somewhat decent in the playoff race before injuries derailed them.

Now 20 games into the 2023/24 season Merritt is just 6 wins behind their highest win total in five years with 34 games still remaining in the season.

That has been in large part to wheeling and dealing head coach Brian Passmore who completely revamped the roster heading into the year. His connections all around the hockey world have helped him put together one of the most successful teams he has coached in his BCHL coaching career. Passmore didn’t give up on getting Jaxson Murray back from the USHL, since Murray has returned he has 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points in 9 games.

Passmore also added Dylan Wegner from the Prince George Spruce Kings, Dylan was pointless in 2 games at the time with the central BC squad. Since joining Merritt he has turned into a point per game player. It’s a move Prince George may be regretting with their team sitting below Merritt in the standings. Wegner also has a “revenge goal” against his former team this season.

It doesn’t end there as Passmore “shook up” one of the best organizations in all of junior hockey, the Brooks Bandits. Dylan Lariviere was added early in the season and has been another point per game player with 8 goals and 8 assists, which is good for 16 points in 18 games.

The results speak for themselves, this is one of the best teams the town of Merritt has seen in a long time.

Merritt Centennials | Zach Amin Photography