DeBrouwer back in net for Kings

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The two games against the Chiefs gave Prince George fans their first look at goalie Evan DeBrouwer in regular-season action in a Kings’ uniform and the 20-year-old was sharp in both games. DeBrouwer will start in goal tonight to face Surrey while 18-year-old rookie Brad Cooper, a product of the Burnaby Winter Club academy program, is slated to make his first BCHL start in Saturday’s game against the Eagles.

“Evan was great, I thought he was solid both nights,” said Maglio.

“Our assistant coach Alex (Evin) works primarily with the goalies and he was really pleased with both nights.

“Brad was real good against Vernon in exhibition and we were able to see him against a pretty good Vernon team that had the majority of their roster in that game. He’s real good with controlling his rebounds and solid structurally in net and he’s a con- fident kid. We watched him last year and he was a leader in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League, top one or two in that league.”

Cozzi, an 18-year-old Colorado College recruit who played last season for the North Jersey Avalanche of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, will start the weekend on a line with Brar and and centre Dustin Manz.

With the five-foot-nine, 170-pound Cozzi leading the way, that combination was arguably the top forward trio for the Kings last weekend.

“He’s a remarkable kid, high character, and he plays heavy for his size so he’s hard to get off the puck,” said Maglio. “He sees the ice so well and can play with great pace. He’s everything that we look for when we’re identifying players and we’ve been super-pleased with his play.”

The Eagles missed the playoffs last season but Blaine Neufeld’s troops appear much improved this time around. Four Eagles forwards are committed to NCAA teams next year, including Chase Davol (Bowling Green), Jeffrey Stewart (Colgate), Jordan Robert (Clarkson) and Connor Sundquist (Colorado College, acquired in an off-season trade from Salmon Arm).

Daniel Davidson, a 20-yearold, is their go-to goalie.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.