TWIN GIANTS

By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO

Hockey-crazed twins Jayan and Taran Biring have shared their love of the game through their minor hockey careers - not only with themselves but with their father, Jim, who has coached them along the way.

Now the 15-year-old duo, who toil as forwards and linemates with the U17 AAA Valley West Giants of the BCEHL, is hoping that bond can stay true with an eventual shot at major junior or NCAA hockey.

Either way would sit well for dad, who is no longer coaching the twins, but is their biggest backer.

“Like my wife always says, ‘You’re just living through your boys,’ and I am,” said Jim, “My week is usually focused around them.”

Gone are the days where he used to coach the two with North Delta Minor Hockey, but it doesn’t mean his desire to watch their progress has diminished.

“It was special being able to coach them. We had kids late in life and they’re the only kids we have, so I love watching them and I loved being on the ice with them.”

The twins are not identical with very different body types, but their games are very similar. Both are known as intense 200-foot players who don’t shy away from the physicality. Taran a little more so at six-foot-three and 194 pounds, compared to Jayan at five-foot-11 and 157 pounds.

“I’m a bit more physical, more of a power forward, and he’s more of a playmaker, passer guy, and that works out well for us,” said Taran when describing the two.

“Yeah, I would say I’m a passer, playmaker and a checker,” offered Jayan. “I’m a two-way player and I can play physical.

“It’s a bit more physical in this league and tougher. That’s the most notable thing,” added Jayan, who came over to the BCEHL with his twin from Delta Hockey Academy. “It’s been fun. The guys are all really nice and the team is close. I think we have a really good team and I think we are capable of winning a championship.”

The Giants were 9-6-3-0 at the time of writing as the middle-of-the-pack team suffered through injuries earlier on in the season. Jayan has four goals and four assists in the 18 games and Taran has five goals and two helpers in 11 games.

“I just try and be the best I can, and I know if I do that, the points will come with it,” said Jayan, who was moved to centre from wing. “It’s been a pretty good season. It’s been fun. We have a pretty good team this year. I’ve had lots of ice time, so that’s good. I think I’m playing pretty good right now, but I know I can always do better.”

“It’s going good. Our teams off to a pretty good start and I’m happy with it right now,” added Taran. “The points are pretty good, but overall, as a team, I think we’re doing pretty well, especially of late. We’re all working hard together on and off the ice and it’s showing on the ice.”

Being twins, there’s also the ability to know where each other is on the ice, almost like a sixth sense.

“Yeah, we spent a lot of time together as twins. I would say that we have a real good chemistry together and we always seem to be in the right spot on the ice,” said Jayan.

“It’s awesome growing up and being together every day and at school as well,” added Taran, who along with Jayan attends North Delta Secondary. “Playing together in minor hockey and even now it’s been really fun; awesome. We know each other’s tendencies and we both play a similar 200-foot game and we’re both always in the right area, so we know where each other is going to be.”

Dad, Jim, is asked that question all the time.

“I always say there’s only one set of Sedins in the world, but I can honestly say they absolutely find each other out there and trust each other,” he said. “Jayan will check you to the end of time and he’s a playmaker and Taryn is a straight shooter. They 100-per-cent know each other’s tendencies and trust one another.”

Both were invited to the Kamloops Blazers’ main training camp earlier this year – the youngest to attend - and received some solid feedback on their exit interviews. They were also invited to WHL rookie camps with Kelowna and Seattle but did not attend, and participated at the Kamloops Storm camp. They both played in an exhibition game for the Storm and are affiliated with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League team.

Where they end up playing in the future will be determined at a later date.

“(The WHL) is one of the routes, but there’s also NCAA. I’m not too sure, yet. I’ll just keep working as hard as I can and see where it ends up,” said Jayan. “Blazers camp was really good - it was hard and I learned a lot.”

“It was positive feedback,” Taran said of the Blazers’ experience. “We were happy to be invited and it was exciting being around the older guys, playing against them and learning from them as well. We’re open to both (routes) and, right now, we’re just trying to navigate it.”

Mario Annicchiarico is a freelance writer based in Victoria who has previously covered the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, as well as the Western Hockey League.