The Nanaimo Buccaneers (1-0-0-0) hit the road for their first away game of the 2025-26 VIJHL season.
They face the Westshore Wolves (1-1-0-0) on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 pm PDT.
Location: Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood.
Recent Action for the Buccaneers
Nanaimo comes off a strong home opener.
They defeated the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 4-2 on Saturday, September 6, at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
The game stayed scoreless through the first period.
In the second, Madden Cruickshank netted his first VIJHL goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Glacier Kings tied it at 1-1 with Cohen Kallin’s tally.
But Dreyton Hayward scored on the power play, and Lukas Needham added another.
Nanaimo led 3-1 entering the third.
In the final period, Nolan Ganter scored for 4-1.
Zaya Morro pulled one back on the power play for Comox Valley.
Final: 4-2 Buccaneers.
Goal scorers: Cruickshank, Hayward, Needham, Ganter.
Assists: Ethan Nordli (2), Jack Barrett (1), Jaxin Karst (1), Casey Rutland (1), Ryan Christenson (1), Bostyn MacDonald (1).
Goaltending: Aaron Pichette (NAN) – 21 saves on 23 shots.
Timothee Fengos (COM) – 30 saves on 34 shots.
Shots: Nanaimo 34 (11-16-7), Comox Valley 23 (6-6-11).
GM Bill Bestwick raved about the support: “Our best crowd in 5 or so years. It meant so much on Saturday and we really hope that people look at this Thursday night as a kickoff to a wonderful weekend. An opportunity to get their hockey fix early in the week and to get primed for a great weekend.”
Head Coach Tyler Gow: “Very happy with the result – lots to work on for sure but a positive outcome.”
Owner Nicole Brandenburg: “It was an awesome game with great attendance. We had a great 50/50 payout. It was won by a mother and her two daughters.”
Buccaneers Team News: New Signing Boosts Forward Depth
Recent acquisition: 2007-born left winger Koen Gauthier.
Size: 5’9”, 170 lbs.
Last season: Shawnigan Lake School U18 Prep (CSSHL U18) – 36 GP, 12G-16A-28P, 26 PIM.
Career stats:
• 23-24: SAHA U18 Prep – 2 GP, 1G-1A-2P.
• 23-24: SAHA U17 Prep – 24 GP, 9G-9A-18P, 14 PIM.
• 22-23: OHA Edmonton U16 Prep – 30 GP, 8G-16A-24P, 30 PIM.
• 21-22: OHA Edmonton U15 Prep – 29 GP, 3G-3A-6P, 18 PIM.
• 20-21: OHA Edmonton U15 Varsity – 6 GP, 1G-2A-3P, 2 PIM.
Coach Tyler Gow: “A skilled forward who plays quick with offensive IQ and a quick shot.”
Scouting the Westshore Wolves
Wolves’ last game: Dramatic comeback on Sunday, September 7.
Defeated Saanich Predators 6-2 at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
Trailed 2-0 in the second.
Then scored six straight, four in the third.
Stars: Parker Atkinson (1G-2A, second star).
Goals: Alejandro Snead, Rowan Brodie-Rafuse, Kansys Seney, Kaden Ryan, Jackson Buie.
Goaltending: James Hall – 22 saves, first star.
Early stats:
Points leaders: Atkinson (5: 1G-4A), Seney (4: 1G-3A).
Goals leader: Brodie-Rafuse (2 goals, 2 points total).
Others: Buie (2: 1G-1A), Aiden Wilson (2: 1G-1A).
Goalies: Hall (1 win), Ander Reyes (0 wins).
Leadership: Head Coach & GM Mike Nesbitt.
Background: 105-63-3-6 record with Comox Valley Glacier Kings (2020-24).
Also scouts for BCHL’s Langley Rivermen.
Director of Hockey Operations: Ian Birnie (since 2018).
Off-ice: Seeking Athletic Therapist.
Duties: Injury management, HeadCheck Health for concussions, equipment.
Apply: info@westshorewolves.ca
League Standings (as of Tuesday, September 9, 2025)
North Division
• Nanaimo (NAN): 1 GP, 2 PTS, 1-0-0-0
• Lake Cowichan (LCK): 1 GP, 2 PTS, 1-0-0-0
• Port Alberni (PAB): 2 GP, 2 PTS, 1-1-0-0
• Oceanside (OSG): 2 GP, 2 PTS, 1-1-0-0
• Comox Valley (COM): 1 GP, 0 PTS, 0-1-0-0
• Campbell River (CRS): 1 GP, 0 PTS, 0-1-0-0
South Division
• Peninsula (PEN): 2 GP, 4 PTS, 2-0-0-0
• Victoria (VIC): 2 GP, 2 PTS, 1-1-0-0
• Westshore (WSW): 2 GP, 2 PTS, 1-1-0-0
• Saanich (SAN): 2 GP, 2 PTS, 1-1-0-0
• Kerry Park (KPI): 2 GP, 0 PTS, 0-2-0-0
Inter-division matchup.
Undefeated Buccaneers vs. resilient Wolves.
Both at 2 points.
Nanaimo tops North; Westshore mid-South.
Next Action for the Buccaneers
After Wednesday: Road game vs. Port Alberni.
Saturday, September 13, 7:00 pm PDT.
Alberni Valley Multiplex in Port Alberni.
Next Home Action
Thursday, September 18: Host Victoria.
Nanaimo Ice Centre, 7:15 pm PDT.
Stay tuned for full coverage of the Buccaneers’ season—let’s go bucs!
