The Abbotsford Pilots play the Mission City Outlaws tonight at 7:15 pm at the Mission Leisure Centre. The Pilots first home game is against the Richmond Sockeyes Friday, September 27 at 7:30 pm at the MSA Arena.
Old Dutch is sponsoring the game so there will be chips, giveaways and much more for the season opener.
The Pilots play in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League PIJHL which is a premiere development league in BC. There have been numerous players in the PIJHL who have gone on to play Junior A, College and Professionally.
*From the Abbotsford Pilots:
Goaltender Brad Anderson of the Abbotsford Pilots stops Mike Wilson of the North Delta Devils from scoring in one of their last matchups. (PIJHL Photo)
2010 2011 marks the 23rd year of operation since the team transferred from the Mission Pilots in 1987-88. The Pilots originated in MSA Arena In 1973-74 and left to go to Mission in 1976-77 when the Flyers Junior A team moved to Abbotsford. The Pilots have always strived to be a staple in the community of approximately 135,000 people, as well as an Integral part of our region, the Fraser Valley. The Pilots have enjoyed being the highest level of competition hockey in town which is enviable for many reasons including fan support of the team (we often play to crowds of 600 plus and over 1000 plus In the playoffs), the popularity of the players in Abbotsford, and the tight-knit comfort of our community with all the amenities of the Big City.
Philosophy of the Pilots
We operate as much as a “service club” to the community as well as a “hockey club”. Our players are expected to become immersed in the community with several functions and programs in place to ensure this. We believe in developing hockey players but we also believe in building character, appreciating compassion, and stimulating personal growth. With commitment from the players, both on and off the ice, we have found that the players who have passed through our program have taken much more than trophies, championships and statistics away with them to the next level. We believe in helping those who truly want to help themselves. We aid in the pursuit of scholarships, part time work and knowledge of the game but the Initiative must be there from the players.
Abby Pilots:
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The League In Which We Play
The PIJHL is a premiere development league in BC. There have been numerous players in the PIJHL who have gone on to play Junior A, College and Professionally. Scott Langkow of the Pilots was drafted in the 1st round (26th) by Winnipeg Jets, David Van Der Gulik of the Pilots in 2002 by Calgary Flames in the 7th round. Jeff Tambellini drafted 27th in 2003 by the Los Angeles Kings.
The PIJHL Is an eight team league (Richmond, Port Moody, Delta, Ridge Meadows, Grandview, North Delta, Hope and Abbotsford) playing a 48 league game schedule. The playoff champions from the PIJHL will play the KIJHL and VIJHL champions in a round robin tournament to decide a provincial champion who will then take part in the Keystone Cup Western Canadian Championship this year in April 2008 in Selkirk, Manitoba. You should compare the teams you are interested in playing for in terms of their operations and history, not just their win-loss records. We feel you will find the Abbotsford Pilots reputation to be at or near the top league wide.
Ice Time and Scheduling
The Pilots practice on Tuesdays (9:45 pm to 11:15 pm) and Wednesdays (8:45 pm to 10:00 pm) including dry land training. We play an average of two games per week with our home game Friday 7:30 pm. All away games are within an hour travel from Abbotsford. Players are responsible for their own travel to games.
Equipment
The Pilots will provide all outer equipment including pants, gloves and helmets. All under equipment is the responsibility of the player. Players provide their own sticks. Pilots also have their own skate sharpener.
Exposure and Coverage
This is another area which sets the Pilots above the rest. Locally, two newspapers cover the Pilots extensively, the local cablevision station will give the Pilots coverage as well as Country 107.1 radio station. Abbotsford will follow the Pilots all year long with game coverage and contests. You can also follow the Pilots occasionally in the BC HOCKEY NOW newspaper.
Pilot Game Nights
Pilots home games on Fridays are billed as “Family Night” and if you’ve never been to a Pilots home game, well you are really missing out on an exciting evening of entertainment. Every Pilot home game has a theme night, be it Boston Pizza Night, White Spot Night, Old Dutch Chips, etc. There are lots and lots of prize giveaways every period, every game, as well as numerous draw prizes to be won by entering program contests. Every game a minor hockey mini game takes place as well as the famous Spots Traders Huck-A-Puck Contest where you can win more prizes. The Pilots host Birthday Parties, The Best Seat in the House Contest, Spot the Fan, a Kid’s Club and MSA Ford Truck Shoot where you have a chance to win a 2008 F 150 Truck at our last home game of the season. If this isn’t enough you can watch Canuck or other NHL games on one of two TV’s the Pilots have set up in the arena lobby. After the game the Pilots dressing room is always available for fans to get autographs from the team.
Education
The Pilots are committed to promoting our players towards furthering their education through hockey. School age players will be expected to maintain regular attendance in their respective high school. Abbotsford houses a campus of the University College of the Fraser Valley, which offers university, transfer and credit courses. The Pilots offer two scholarships per year in the amount of $250.00 each.
Getting You To The Next Step
The most Important exposure you receive with the Pilots is that to the scouts. They are in attendance nightly in the MSA Arena due to a number of factors:
The location of Abbotsford, which is central to BCHL teams making it the most traveled through community by scouts.
Abbotsford’s proximity to airports (10 minutes from MSA Arena), Vancouver (1 hour) and Seattle (11/2 hours). Abbotsford sits right on the Trans Canada Highway.
The dedication and accommodating nature of the coaching staff and management in pushing the players to the scouts including interviews, statistics and updates. In addition, because of the affiliation with the Langley Chiefs of the BCHL we are able to utilize their educational advisors excellent relationship with scouts.
The long-standing tradition of high caliber players and ultra competitive teams in Abbotsford, year after year after year.
The Pilots organization has a wealth of contacts at every level of hockey.
The atmosphere of MSA Arena ranks among the best In Canada in terms of fan involvement, sight lines and professional game night production. The MSA Arena brings the “gamer” out of both the Pilots and the opposition and scouts know this.
For More On The Abbotsford Pilots Click Here.To Register For Evaluation Camp Online Simply Click Here.
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