The Prince George Spruce Kings are returning to home ice at Kopar Memorial Arena to conclude their BC Hockey League (BCHL) preseason campaign with a two-game exhibition series against the Chilliwack Chiefs. According to the Prince George Citizen, the double-header serves as the final preseason action for both clubs, beginning with a Friday night game on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. PST and concluding with a Saturday matinee on Sept. 12 at 12 p.m. PST.
This weekend matchup brings together two familiar BCHL rivals whose previous meeting at Kopar Memorial Arena determined the outcome of their 2025–26 postseason runs. The Chiefs last visited Prince George on April 28 for Game 7 of the Coastal East Division championship series, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the home team and eliminated Chilliwack from playoff contention. During that game, forward Mason Loewen scored the game-winner early in the third period, and forward Michael Denney added an empty-net goal to secure the victory.
Both Loewen and Denney are among 14 returning veteran players on the Spruce Kings’ current roster, providing a core foundation following the team’s advancement to the third round of the playoffs last spring. The final preseason set gives the coaching staff a critical opportunity to integrate new talent with the returning core while sharpening game strategies prior to the start of regular season play.
The unusual Saturday noon start time was intentionally designed to address practical travel considerations for the visiting team while honoring a meaningful community commitment. The early faceoff allows the Chilliwack Chiefs to complete their long highway journey back to the Fraser Valley during daylight hours. Furthermore, the schedule enables Prince George players, coaches, and staff to attend the celebration of life for three-year-old Mavrik Turnbull at 3:30 p.m. at the CN Centre.
Mavrik was a devoted young Spruce Kings supporter who became a familiar and beloved figure around local rinks and medical facilities before passing away on July 6 at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver. The afternoon service offers the team and local residents an opportunity to honor his memory, reinforcing the strong bond between the hockey club and the Prince George community as the new junior hockey season gets underway.