By Nick Dube

u18 aaa cougars

Cariboo Cougars off to a hot start

Oct 3, 2025 | 4:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Cariboo Cougars came flying out the gate to start the 2025-26 season posting wins in 3 of their first 4 games including a two game sweep of the Valley West Giants this past weekend at Kin 1. The Cougars have been playing strong two-way hockey and it’s translating into success. Team Captain Jaxon Larmand says that the team showed resiliency after a loss opening weekend and are now playing their brand of hockey.

“I think we have just been playing the right way. We had a bad game on Sunday in our first weekend but other than that, I think we’ve been ready to go. We have been playing fast,physical and just outworking teams.” said Larmand.

Cougars Associate coach RJay Berra credits the hot start with the team buying into hard practices. He says creating a big game atmosphere for all practices is preparing the team for the games on weekends.

“I think consistency is the biggest key and it’s the hardest thing at this level is to find consistency. Every week we’re trying to keep them engaged with practices and trying to amp them as the week goes on. We want our practices on Thursday and Friday to feel like we’re getting ready for a big game where we’re definitely prepping on teams were playing. We play on the weekends, which allows that preparation to happen. Every day we are trying to hold our group to a standard, so they know when they come on the ice, whether it’s practice or game it’s the same standard. The guys are doing a really good job so far, so I think we’re getting there.” said Berra.

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Keeping up success over the course of a long regular season is’nt easy and thats where preparation and consistency come in. Jaxon Larmand says it’s important to stay consistent throughout the season because slip-ups come playoff time can end the season quickly.

“I think we just need to be a little more ready to go in our preparation. It’s important we don’t fall behind because in the playoffs when you fall behind it’s tough to come back. So I think just working on our starts will benefit us.” said Larmand.

Next up for the Cariboo Cougars is a roadtrip to face the Okanagan Rockets in a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday in Kelowna.