Centennials working together in Kamloops

Merritt Centennials Head Coach Dave Chyzowski was at the rink when the evacuation order came down Monday morning.

“We were at the rink preparing for practice when we found out, so the kids ended up packing up their bags then dispersed across British Columbia,” said Chyzowski. “It’s not easy, I know one of the boys’ billets family lost their home, some left without medication that’s needed.”

Cents players are scattered throughout province from Victoria to Osoyoos, but the majority are set up in the Kamloops area, even bunking at Coach’s house.

“I think I’ve had seven or eight or nine kids here since Monday,” said Chyzowski. “The kids have gotten to see a different side of me. They’re good kids, I’m glad I can help them out.”

Ice-time in Kamloops is hard to come by, but the Cents have been able to secure an early morning skate thanks to the Blazers.

“The only thing we’ve got is practice time at 7:30 am that the Blazers have helped us out with,” added Chyzowski.

The team is set to skate on Thursday and Friday, with around 12 members of the squad.

On Wednesday night, the BCHL announced a slew of cancellations including a pair of Cents home games scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

“At the end of the day the health and safety of our kids is the most important thing. There are more important things that hockey. Like I told the kids this morning, it’s times like these is what brings the kids togethers, brings teams together, brings families together and you become stronger from it. And I’m definitely hoping this is the case because we don’t have an option, we don’t have a choice, and we just have to stay positive, pull together and not let it beat us up,” said Chyzowski.

If the evacuation continues to drag on, Chyzowski hopes to bring the team togethers as much as possible both on and off the ice.

“I hope everybody back home is staying positive and strong,” concluded Chyzowski.