Black Press
Cody DePourcq played a historic 200th career BCHL regular season game in a 4-3 win over the Vernon Vipers Dec. 5.
The five-foot-five, 160-pound dynamo has probably faced the Vipers with the Penticton Vees close to 40 times since breaking in with the club as a 16-year-old. His first game with the Vees was as an affiliate player Nov. 9, 2010 against the Trail Smoke Eaters, the Three V’s blog reported.
“It’s special and unique to play that many games in this league,” said with a smile DePourcq during an interview with the Vernon Morning Star. “It’s a tough league and I’ve been fortunate to not have many injuries throughout my career, and play with so many great players and teams over the last three years. I love playing against Vernon. We bring out the best in one another and the games are always a lot of fun.”
DePourcq completed a bang-bang play with blueliner Dante Fabbro. Chicago Blackhawk draft pick Jack Ramsey earned the second assist. DePourcq, a 20-goal scorer last year, has seven on the season.
“He’s fun to coach,” said Vees coach-general manager Fred Harbinson. “He’s a great kid. The frustrations of coaching a lot of times is trying to motivate guys and trying to get guys going and you never have to motivate that kid. Every day he comes with a smile on his face to the rink and wants to work and his work ethic is as high it goes. It’s been a pleasure coaching him.”
DePourcq, who is eligible for a fifth season next year, quickly listed his most memorable game but couldn’t remember who it was against.
“The Royal Bank Cup (final),” he beamed. “Just watching the seconds tick down on the clock was a great feeling.”
The Vees clipped the Woodstock Slammers of Ontario 4-3 in the 2011 RBC championship in Humboldt, Sask. DePourcq’s father, John, won a national title with the Penticton Knights in 1986.
Just because DePourcq is a seasoned veteran with the Vees, it doesn’t spare him from a little ribbing. Talking to a fan in the hallway after the game rather than heading upstairs for a run, Harbinson joked: “So, you play your 200th game, you don’t have to do the cool down?”
When asked about DePourcq, Ramsey said he’s a great guy on and off the ice, a quality that everyone sees.
“The biggest thing that stands out for him is he’s just a great guy to always be around,” said Ramsey, who always looks forward to seeing him at the rink. “He is always going to have a smile on his face.”
Ramsey learned about leadership from him. While DePourcq never wore a letter last season, that didn’t stop him from being vocal.
“He always stood up and talked when he needed to talk,” said Ramsey. “He always led by example on the ice. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he is definitely one of the tougher guys on our team. He is willing to go in the corner and battle every time. It shows he’s pretty tough and he’s got some character.”
Vees notes: The Vees took back third spot in the Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings from the Carleton Place Canadians, who dropped to No. 3 ... Steen Cooper is nine games shy of reacihng 200 career BCHL regular season games.
former defenceman Mike Reilly has been named the Big Ten First Star of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday. Reilly leads all Big Ten defenceman with 17 points and 14 assists this season.