The last remaining link to the Squamish Wolf Pack is doing his hometown proud in North Vancouver.
From 2009 to 2011, Squamish’s Brodyn Nielsen suited up as an affiliate player when the Wolf Pack were based in Squamish and the Squamish Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) product is spending his final year of junior as the Wolf Pack’s captain.
The club moved from Squamish to North Vancouver to 2011, but Nielsen and Squamish native Bret Higham are now leading the old team. The Pack are in first place in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and it’s been a great start for the team.
“We’re finding ways to win,” Nielsen said, noting they recently had a 17-game winning streak. “We lost a couple to Richmond recently, but the losses keep us honest and now we’re getting back on the winning track.”
Nielsen was a big factor in the team’s win on Saturday, Dec. 6, scoring two goals to lead a third-period comeback and a 5-4 win over the Mission City Outlaws. After spending time in the BCHL, AJHL and WHL with the Vancouver Giants, Nielsen said North Vancouver is a nice landing spot for his final year.
“I was going to get traded to a team in Manitoba, but I wanted to come back here and be closer to home for my last year,” he said. “It was a good chance to play with my friends and having Bret on the team made it better. We get to spend almost every day together, which is cool.”
Higham won a PJHL championship with Richmond in 2013 and spent time in the VIJHL before arriving in North Vancouver.
“Bro came back down from Alberta and I was on the Island with Comox, but things weren’t working out, so I asked for a trade and I was fortunate to come here,” he said. “I knew they had a good core and me and Bro grew up together and are best friends so it’s pretty cool to play with him. We haven’t played together since Pee Wee in Squamish so it’s awesome to be on the same team again.”
Wolf Pack head coach Matt Samson said both players have been a nice fit on his team.
“Bret’s a real physical presence out there and is probably the hardest hitter in the league,” he said. “He’s a good leader and a good guy in the room and has experience, especially in the playoffs. Brodyn has got the speed and skill to be a great player at this level and he’s got a great shot. They both bring a lot of leadership to our room.”
The Pack is eyeing a PJHL championship and sport a record of 22 wins and three losses this season. They rank as the top team in the league and Samson said he likes his team’s chances.
“We’re trying to make a run and we’re set up with our older guys to make a push,” he said. “I really like our group, but our goal right now is to get home ice for the whole playoffs.”
Nielsen and Higham agree that the Pack are heading down the right path.
“I want to come out on top and win the Keystone,” Higham said. “I’ve done it before and I think we have the team here to do it again.”
Nielsen, who is averaging over a point a game, said he’s more concerned with winning a championship than any individual accolade.
“My main goal is to win a championship and I believe we have the team to do it,” he said.
The PJHL regular season continues until Feb. 15, with the playoffs commencing shortly after. For more information on the team, visit www.northvanwolfpack.com.
