Jake Pilon remains at the ready

Being a backup isn’t as easy as you would think. They are usually forced into games when the starter looks fatigued and needs a night off and the assignment typically comes on the back end of a road trip, when the team in front of them may not be at their best either.

In a 2-1 road victory last Saturday in Tri-City, Pilon made his first appearance of the season making 31 saves and being named the first star. The start came a night after the team lost 5-3 in Spokane against the Chiefs.

“I think we have a good group here,” he said after helping his team snap a five-game losing streak. “We just need to get things going in the right direction.”

Pilon earned the road victory last weekend wearing what can only be described as tired looking goalie pads and gloves that are littered with black puck marks. At practice this week, he was seen wearing new gear that should make its debut shortly.

“I got the same specs [size] as last year, so pretty much the same pads, so it isn’t hard to break in,” he added. “I wear them for one or two practices and they are good to go.”

Last season, Pilon chose white coloured pads with the Ogopogo logo on the lower portion of the leg, but this season he is going with a different look, with vintage elements to it.

“The CCM logo is white on the front of them, bordered by red and teal in the middle,” he said methodically. “Then I have some pin strips down the front of the pads. I wanted to go simple, so the new mask would pop out.”

Like Kykkanen, Pilon is wearing a new painted mask this season. Both goaltenders were pleased with how Victoria designer Travis Michael was able to create a unique look for both players.

“I learned we were getting painted masks this summer at Eli Wilson’s [goaltending coach] camp,” Pilon said with a smile. “I had seen some designs in the past, so I knew what I wanted, but once I talked to Travis, he helped out a lot with the process. It turned out better than I could have imagined.”

Pilon’s mask features the Rockets logo, plus a mountain scene with trees, showing Kelowna’s rolling landscape and that of his home province of Alberta, where the Canadian Rockies are clearly visible from the outskirts of Calgary.

“I have a [Ford] Bronco on the side of the mask, which is a tribute to my dad who likes to fix them and collect them. On the back of the mask, I have Rocky Racoon on a spaceship, and the Alberta [provincial] crest.”

Pilon’s dad is former Calgary Stampeder offensive lineman Jeff Pilon, who won two Grey Cups with the CFL team, with his last coming in 2008.

“My dad was a big influence in my hockey career,” Pilon added. “My goalie coaches back home also deserve a lot of credit for where I am today, and for sure Eli Wilson has helped a ton.”

On most night’s Pilon is situated on the bench, playing the role of cheerleader as he watches Kykkanen in goal. Not wanting to let his mind wander, he admits to taking an interest in what’s happening both on and off the ice.

“Sometimes Timmy [Tim Webster] and I will look up and watch the video screen to see what’s happening,” he admitted. “I will watch, and guess the donut going under which Tim Horton’s cup. Most times I try to stay ready, because you never know, and stay dialed in.”

Pilon comes by his 6’3, 210-pound frame naturally, with his dad standing close to 6’6 and tipping the scales at close to 300 pounds during his football playing days.

“Goalies have gotten so much bigger over the years. They used to be the smallest and now they are the biggest. Size is important.”

Appearing in just 24 games in 2023-2024 as a WHL rookie, Pilon knows his time in the crease will be limited again this season.

“It is nice to have high caliber players to practice with,” he admitted.

“That in itself makes me a better goalie.”

by Regan Bartel

Jake Pilon remains at the ready

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