A busy offseason continued for the Langley Rivermen as on Saturday the team announced they have received a commitment from 2002-born forward Samuel Marburg.
Marburg, who turns 18 in July, was ecstatic when he heard the news that the Rivermen were interested in him. “When Bobby (Henderson) reached out saying that they’d like to sign me, in all honesty, it sent shivers through my body. It meant a lot to me to hear those words because growing up and playing minor hockey I never made the top team or was a standout player that really drew any interest from anyone and now reaching one of my goals of playing Junior A is a totally sweet moment for me.”
Marburg is a 6’1″ 180-pound forward from North Vancouver, BC who played the last two seasons with the North Van Wolf Pack of the Pacific Junior Hockey League. While playing in the Wolf Pack organization, Marburg put up 13 goals and 30 assists in 70 games, including nearly a point per game this season. He also suited up in the Cyclone Taylor Cup in 2018-19 where he had a goal and two assists in four games.
He describes himself as a power forward who also takes pride in his defensive play. “My game is more of a power forward, two-way game. I feel that my physical presence helps me get to a lot of places I’d like to go on the ice and that also helps me create offense as well as I pride myself in the d-zone.”
First goal of the night scored by Sam Marburg assisted by Lucas Barker vs the Whiterock Whalers @northvanwolfpac pic.twitter.com/1CDR0Fgn5q
— Dioné W (@MzDragonfly01) February 23, 2020
Junior B is a prime development league
Marburg emphasizes the big impact playing in the PJHL had on his development to move on to the next level. “Playing junior B in North Van has helped my game improve leaps and bounds. Don’t get me wrong though, there is still a lot more work if I want to succeed at the junior A level.”
An interesting thing that stands out when talking to Marburg is the fact that he understands there is still a lot of work to do. Many young hockey players don’t realize if they don’t give the extra effort, they won’t last long in a high caliber league like the BCHL, nor move on to college or pro opportunities.
During his time with the Wolf Pack, Marburg won a PJHL championship and a bronze medal at the Cyclone Taylor Cup, all in his rookie season of 2018-19. This past season could have had a similar outcome as his team was once again in the PJHL championship series, this time against the Aldergrove Kodiaks, but unfortunately due to COVID-19, the season came to an abrupt end.
Coaches play a huge part in a young player’s development and this situation is no different. Marburg had nothing but good things to say about the coaching staff on the Wolf Pack, led by former Merritt Centennials assistant general manager and assistant coach Matt Samson. “If I hadn’t received the great coaching and the individual time both my coaches graciously gave me to help me grow and succeed, I don’t think that any of this would be possible right now.”
With his ability to play physical and chip in offensively from time to time all while playing a defensive-minded game, Marburg should slide right into a key checking role on the Rivermen.
