With the BCHL regular-season on hold due to Provincial Health Orders and a number of players on the Clippers’ roster heading to the US to play hockey, where there aren’t the same restrictions, the Clippers have continued to add local talent to their roster taking advantage of the development opportunities now available in the league.
The Clippers have added Luke Lavery, a 16-year-old forward who currently plays with the North Island Silvertips U-18 team. That league has played limited games due to PHOs and in two games, Luke has five points, leading his team in scoring. Last year, he played in the same program as a 15-year-old and accumulated 16 points, including eight goals in 38 games.
Luke got his exposure to the Clippers’ program by playing in both the U16 and U18 spring development program run by the Clippers. Head Coach and GM Darren Naylor got introduced to Luke through these development programs realizing Luke is a likely Junior A quality forward for years to come. In praising Luke, Naylor commented; “Luke is a player who was a member of the Clippers U16 and U18 spring programs that impressed me with the rapid development of his game. I learned first-hand how hard he works on the ice and in the gym. He is a big strong player who, as he gets older and more experienced, will be a physical presence.”
Coach Naylor continued; “Luke’s break out moment was during a spring tournament with the U16 Clippers that I was coaching. He was hands down the top player on the ice throughout the tournament. He was raw and needed to work on his skating, especially his edge control which he has done. That shows his coachability. He is big and strong for his piers and I expect him, over time, to mirror Tim Washe’s game. That is, he will be strong on the puck, hard to play against, extremely gritty all while contributing at both ends of the ice. I am projecting some big things for Luke.”
