Team China coach impressed with Voyageurs hockey program

The players, coaches and staff behind the Portage College Voyageurs men's hockey program have received praise from a well-known name in professional hockey as they focus on a playoff spot in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Perry Pearn, the head coach of the Chinese national hockey team was impressed with the Voyageurs during the recent visit by the Team China international squad. Pearn, who was raised in Stettler, Alberta has a long resume of coaching accolades, including bench boss duties for several NHL teams, Canada's national teams, and at the college level with the NAIT Ooks. After the Voyageurs hosted Team China for two games on January 23 and 24, Pearn congratulated the team and the athletic program at Portage while thanking the community for playing host.

"Through the generous support and guidance from (Portage College Athletic Director) Jim Knight and (Voyageurs coach) Kevin McClelland, our trip was a tremendous experience for our staff and players. Our gratitude and thanks to them and Portage for two valuable and competitive games," he said.

Pearns added that coach McClelland -- also with experience at the NHL level, in his case as a player and four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Edmonton Oilers -- has grown a great team.

"It is obvious Kevin and his staff have done an excellent job with this year's team. They play an excellent team game, compete like their coach did when he played, have some good individual skill, and play a hard checking, but very disciplined, game," he said following the split-decision weekend of hockey where his team lost one and won one against the Voyageurs. "We needed to be good to have any success at all."

Portage College President Dr. Steve Price appreciates the compliments and echoes Pearn's comments about the team, the support, and the community.

"Coach Kevin, his staff and Jim have done such a good job of growing this program, and we can't do that without the support of the County, so we are grateful of that," said Price, who enjoyed being in the stands with the crowds to watch both games. "I've been to several games this year, and all have been well done. I thought this one took it to another level."

Upcoming games and playoffs?

Speaking of next levels … Price says the praise and the attention created from the international games comes at a great time – as the Voyageurs maintain a hold on an ACAC playoff spot with just eight games to go in the regular season.

"Those were two very exciting games for the hometown fans to see and to cheer about … we hope the community keeps coming out to give us that home-ice advantage in our next games and when we host playoffs," Price said.

The top six teams of the league will begin ACAC championship playoffs in late February.

Going into the January 30 weekend of ACAC regular season action, the Voyageurs are in fourth place of the seven-team ACAC league, just two points ahead of the fifth place Augustana Vikings, two points behind third-place Briercrest, and only three points ahead of seventh-place NAIT.