Talent, desire and determination have earned Sooke’s Jeffery Morberg a spot on the Victoria Cougars’ junior-B hockey roster.

This is the first season for Jeff at this level but there are some very familiar faces to help him feel welcome on the team, namely third-year Cougar forward Adam Steenbergen and forward Jesse Grieve. Jeff says the three have a hockey history going back about 10 years in the Sooke Minor Hockey system.

With hockey in his family, Jeff was two-years-old when the tiny blades were first strapped on his little feet. Two years later he was playing hockey, and he has been ever since.

The 18-year-old played midget rep hockey last year in Sooke, and he’s enjoying the challenge of the faster pace in junior-B.

“It’s a lot quicker, a higher level,” said Morberg of the transition. “Another one of the big differences is that you’re actually allowed to fight. So it’s a lot more intense and emotional.”

The Cougars have been in Jeff’s plans for a while, he tried out for the club last year and made a good impression... he solidified the audition this year by making the team.

To this point in his development there is one clear hockey highlight in Morberg’s memory – a provincial pee wee title from some years back.

“It was huge, we were kind of an underdog team,” he recalled. “We came through to win it.”

Cougars coach Mark Van Helvoirt appreciates having Morberg in the line-up.

“Jeff is an incredible talent,” said the coach by way of email. “He is very athletic and coordinated which isn’t always the case for young men his size (6’6”). Jeff has excellent decision-making and composure which allows him to exercise his great vision on the ice.”

Kudos from above are a boost to the young player.

“The coaching staff with the Cougars is just awesome, and not just them but the whole organization.” he said. “When you’re trying to make a team and they say those things about you... it’s exciting.”

Jeffrey’s favourite NHL player is Wendell Clark and his favourite NHL team is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Other than hockey, his favourite pro athlete is Tiger Woods.

A priority for Jeff is to settle down and feel more at home on the ice. He said he’s been nervous during the early part of his debut.

“I just want to get comfortable.”

On a long term basis he finds the prospect of college hockey appealing, maybe even with UBC somewhere down the road.

Given the way he has conducted himself to this point, it’s a safe bet this athlete will end up where he wants to be.

In closing – some more observations from Mark Van Helvoirt:

“Jeff has a tremendous work ethic and desire to learn and improve. These traits will allow Jeff to become an elite defenceman in our league.