Corey Koop is dominating the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) and the 麻豆社国产product is loving his time between the pipes with the Victoria Cougars.
"It's been a really fantastic experience so far," he said. "I've got a really good billet home and I think we've got a really great team."
Koop and the Cougars are off to an incredible start, with a record of 14-2 and are the top ranked team in the league. Koop himself is putting up some exceptional numbers this season.
He has a sparkling record of nine wins and one loss, along with a 1.60 goals against average and league leading .939 save percentage.
But he said that the Cougars still have some work to do if they want to become champions.
"I think we've got a really well balanced team but we still need to always put together a 60 minute performance," he said. "We have a lot of good players on this team but we have to remember to always give it our all."
He pointed out that his experience with the Cougars is unlike anything he's encountered playing Junior B hockey.
"I've never been a part of a first class organization like this before," he said. "It's community owned so all the money goes back to the team. We have our own custom dressing rooms and a trainer on staff, just like a Junior A team."
Koop was also quick to recognize the support he receives from his friends and family in Squamish.
"麻豆社国产has always given me a lot of support," he said. "I'm listed on their alumni page on the minor hockey website, which is pretty cool. Even now, I'll get emails or messages from people back home and it really makes me feel good to know I have that support."
Koop was involved with the 麻豆社国产Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) for his entire minor hockey career but he also worked with the skate patrol at Brennan Park Arena and refereed both minor and men's league hockey in town.
He spent some time with the Wolfpack but said the arrangement didn't work out and he wanted to be sure he would have time to play and develop, which triggered the move to Victoria.
This past summer, Koop attended the British Columbia Hockey League's (BCHL) Prince George Spruce Kings camp and was recently placed on the Powell River Kings reserve roster.
Koop is now third in the goaltending depth chart for Powell River and if a goalie comes down with an injury, he is expected to join the team and possibly see some BCHL action.
For now, Koop is pleased to be a member of the Cougars but he mentioned that he hopes to gain a scholarship to a post secondary institution and pointed out that he will be writing his SAT's in the next few months.
He also said that the Western Hockey League (WHL) isn't out of the question and he is eager to see what the future brings for his hockey career.
For more information on Koop and the Victoria Cougars, visit www.victoriacougars.com.
