Net gain Goalie tandem has Spruce Kings pushing for first place
In the perfect-chemistry tradition of Kirk and Spock, Lennon and McCartney, and Batman and Robin, the Prince George Spruce Kings have their own version of the Dynamic Duo. The goaltending tandem of Evan DeBrouwer and Brad Cooper has provided the Spruce Kings a dependable backdrop that has kept them staging a battle for a B.C. Hockey League division title.
Now past the midway point of season, the Spruce Kings are just three points behind the Mainland Division-leading Langley Rivermen with two games in hand and there’s no denying the crucial role the 20-year-old DeBrouwer and his 18-year-old sidekick Cooper have played in getting them there.
Despite having one of the youngest teams in the BCHL, the Spruce Kings (16-10-2-3) are off to their best start in five seasons and they’ve been doing it with defence. Through 31 games they have allowed 84 goals for a 2.71 team average, fifth-best in the 17-team league.
DeBrouwer struggled at times in his new surroundings the first few weeks of the season after coming over in summer trade from the Nanaimo Clippers but has continued to improve ever since. His 2.49 goals-against average ranks fifth in the BCHL. The Blenheim, Ont., native sports a .914 save percentage (11th in the league) and he has a 12-8-0-3 record with two shutouts. He says he’s not surprised by the Kings’ lofty perch.
“I was told in the off-season the Spruce Kings were going to be really good this year and they would have a good chance to be first in the division,” said DeBrouwer. “We had a bit of a lapse there after a hot start but now we’ve really picked it up again.
“It’s huge in this league to have both goalies playing (well), especially with the travel because you’ve got three games in three nights where you need both goalies rolling.”
In his rookie season as a junior goalie, after two years with the Burnaby Winter Club prep team, Cooper has compiled a 2.86 goals-against average, .901 save percentage and a 4-4-0-0 record. He picked up his first BCHL shutout Saturday when the Kings beat the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 3-0, making 23 saves.
“That was really exciting, the team played well in front of me and I think we just really played a really good team game – everybody was doing the right things and that ended up benefitting us,” said Cooper, a native of North Vancouver.
Neither goalie has lined up an NCAA scholarship but if they keep playing like they have been, that seems inevitable. Eight Spruce Kings have already signed NCAA commitments.
“I’m trying not to worry about it too much, I’m just trying to play my game,” said DeBrouwer. “There are some schools that have reached out but I can’t worry about that now, I’m focused on getting into this Christmas break in first place.”
Both say having former NCAA goalie Alex Evin around constantly as the Kings assistant coach, has provided invaluable feedback that has made them better puckstoppers. Evin uses video clips to point out the proper posture and positioning to reinforce what they learn in practice and show how to prevent goals from being scored.
“You get to see what you did wrong and learn from it, and it really helps,” said Cooper. “You know what you have to work on hard in practice that week. The coaches are going hard on you to make sure you’re staying on top of things and it helps in the games.”
Said DeBrouwer: “Alex has been awesome for both of us. I really don’t think I’d be having as good of a year as I am so far without the help of Alex. It’s been great to come into an organization that has a goalie coach, which I’ve never really had before.”
Head coach Adam Maglio said Cooper has been patient, knowing DeBrouwer will get most of the starts. Both have thrived in a competitive atmosphere with each vying for playing time.
“Ev has been rock-solid for us and with Brad playing behind a 20-year-old, for a young guy I think it’s a good thing, especially when the 20-year-old is playing well,” said Maglio. “Ev’s a true professional and he’s a great guy to mentor