Courtesy: Prince George Cougars

By Anthony Corea

COUGARS 20's

Prince George Cougars say goodbye to their 20s

May 9, 2024 | 7:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The hardest part about a season-ending is the goodbyes. The Prince George Cougars had three 20-year-old players play their final game in the Western Hockey League.

Zac Funk was first acquired at last year’s trade deadline. He led them in playoff points in his first season with the team. The next year he took the jump and exploded. The Coldstream BC product set a franchise record for goals in a season with 67. He finished 2nd in WHL Scoring with 123 points. He recorded eight hat-tricks in the regular season and one in the playoffs to help advance Prince George to the Western Conference Finals. Now the forward is off to the Washington Capitals organization where he’ll hope to continue to break records in the NHL.

Chase Pauls was the most recent 20-year-old the Prince George Cougars acquired. He was a deadline day acquisition filling a big need for a lockdown defenseman. He finished his WHL Career with 224 Games played. And although he only played 34 of them with Prince George He’s honoured to wear the jersey and help this city advance the farthest they’ve ever been since 2007 and the furthest in the playoffs he’s ever been in his career.

Community

Prince George celebrates the 325 anniversary of the Sikh faith

May 18, 2024

Fort Nelson Wildfire

Prince George Fire Centre the "primary risk" according to B.C. Government

May 17, 2024

TRAMPOLINE WESTERNS

Liam Bowe looks to jump to new heights at Trampoline Gymnastics Canada Cup

May 17, 2024

Finally, the Hardest Goodbye was for Hudson Thornton. The defenseman played 207 regular season games and 29 playoff games all with the Cougars organization. He leads all Cougars defensemen in all-time goals, assists, and points. Named a team Captain this past year Thornton says he will never forget what this organisation and city has done for him in his junior career. He will now head to Hershey to try and crack the Bears roster after being a fan favourite in Prince George.

***

Twitter: @AnthonyCorea13

Email: Anthony.Corea@Pattisonmedia.com