TRAINING CAMP OPENS

The 2012-13 edition of the Coquitlam Express hit the ice for the first time as training camp began at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.

The players have been divided into two groups. The main group consisting of returning veterans and recruits among others.

Then there is a second group of younger future prospects.

Certainly there is plenty of optimism around Express camp this season. And there's good reason for it. Many of the faces who were significant contributors to last years 36 win club have returned a year older and wiser.

And in junior hockey having that additional year of experience is so valuable when it comes to physical strength, hockey sense and overall ability.

I have crunched the numbers and the Express have the most total career BCHL goals and points among their returnees of any team in the BCHL with  151 goals and 373 points. The Vernon Vipers aren't that far behind with 369 points, but their total games played of all their players of 701 far exceeds the amount of games by the Express players at 569.

See below if you want to see how every team in the BCHL stacks up.

You throw in the skill that Head Coach and GM Jon Calvano has brought in via recruiting this year it's easy to understand why there's a good feeling on the opening day of training camp.

As Coach Calvano embarks on his 3rd season behind the bench this year, he enters the year with the deepest talent pool he's ever had it his disposal since taking over as Head Coach.

Speaking with Jon and other players around the rink today, they certainly feel very optimistic about the overall collection of talent on the ice at camp this year after getting a little familiar with them over the course of camp today or informal skates prior to training camp.

The Express will be on the ice daily for the rest of week before their pre-season begins Saturday night in Chilliwack. Their first exhibition game is Sunday afternoon at 2pm vs. the Surrey Eagles.

Total combined statistics of all returning players in the BCHL by team.

ALBERNI VALLEY
GP    GOALS   ASSISTS   POINTS
507       79              128          207

CHILLIWACK
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS   POINTS
586        92               166          258

COQUITLAM
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
569        151             222            373

COWICHAN VALLEY
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
460         64              119             183

LANGLEY
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
513        112             145           257

MERRITT
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
662        112          211             323

NANAIMO
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
605        106             153            259

PENTICTON
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
290         95              156            251

POWELL RIVER
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
551         98              160           258

PRINCE GEORGE
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
379        46                97             143

SALMON ARM
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
587         85              149           234

SURREY
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
374        56               132            188

TRAIL
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
506         84              142            226

VERNON 
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
701        142             227            369

VICTORIA
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
785        121            208             329

WEST KELOWNA
GP     GOALS    ASSISTS    POINTS
572        104             172           276