Madden Cruickshank (L) and Lukas Needham (R) are excited to start their careers with the Nanaimo Buccaneers (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

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NANAIMO — Making the step up to junior hockey will likely be a smoother transition for a pair of forwards looking to make their mark with the VIJHL’s Nanaimo Buccaneers.

Madden Cruickshank, 17, and Lukas Needham, 15, both recently signed agreements to suit up for the Buccaneers for the 2025/26 season.

Cruickshank, born and raised in Nanaimo who played for Langford based Pacific Coast Academy’s U18 prep team last season, is elated to advance his hockey career in the Harbour City.

“I’ve always wanted to play in my hometown, it’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and seeing how far the Bucs’ organization has come throughout the years, it just seemed like the right option for me,” Cruickshank told NanaimoNewsNOW.

At 6’0” and 175 pounds, the right-shot, right winger describes himself as power forward who skates, shoots, and moves the puck well.

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Priding himself on being a two-way player who’s more excited than nervous about playing in front of family and friends at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, Cruickshank has been busy training during the off-season.

“Strength is one of the things I’ve definitely been working on to play with older players.”

After progressing through Nanaimo Minor Hockey’s tier-1 teams, Cruickshank made the switch to Pacific Coast Academy for the past three seasons, picking up five goals and 18 points in 24 games last season.

Cruickshank said he looks forward to putting in the work to advance to a higher caliber of junior hockey and eventually secure a collegiate hockey scholarship.

While academy hockey isn’t for everybody, Cruickshank said the experience was positive one for him.

“The amount of attention you get from the coaches and the organization, it’s been awesome. I have nothing bad to say about it. The league has been great with good competition with all these teams from western Canada. I think it has really helped me improve my game.”

Lukas Needham

While he’s spent most of his life growing up playing hockey in Calgary, AB., Lukas Needham’s hockey journey making its way to Nanaimo is hardly a shocking development.

Bucs’ general manager Bill Bestwick recruited Needham’s father Kale, and uncle Clayton Smith, who both patrolled the Clippers blueline about 20 years ago.

All these years later, Bestwick recently inked the youthful Needham, a forward who turns 16-years-old in mid-September.

Needham said he’s always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing junior hockey in Nanaimo.

“It’s a full circle. Bill coached my dad and uncle, so they’re pretty close with Bill. I’m super stoked to have him a part of my journey with the Bucs. The facility is super nice, the dressing room is well organized. All around, it was definitely the best option for me.”

Needham joined by family members and Bucs head coach Tyler Gow. (Nanaimo Buccaneers)

While he’s slated to be the youngest player on the team, Needham has size on his side, standing 6’2”, 175 pounds.

Coming off a 20 goal, 39-point regular season in 33 games with the Pacific Coast Academy U17 AAA team, Needham sees himself as a versatile, tenacious player eager to contribute in multiple ways.

“I know being the youngest guy it’s definitely going to be harder than it would be for a veteran player, but I know that I’ll be able to work my way up and do everything I can to play my heart out,” Needham told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Needham has been busy training this summer in Nanaimo with his uncle, who owns a sports-focused strength conditioning and rehabilitation business.

Needham hopes to make his way up to the BCHL one day to play for the Clippers, just like his father and uncle.

“I think the Bucs are a perfect step to go to the Clippers, that’s the short-term goal for now.”

The Buccaneers start their 2025/26 regular season on Saturday, September 6 versus the visiting Comox Valley Glacier Kings at 7:15 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

Nanaimo compiled 16-26-6 record last season under a new coaching and management regime, representing a significant improvement after generating just eight wins over the previous four seasons.

Clippers alumnus Tyler Gow is the Bucs new head coach, with Brett Bestwick serving as associate coach, and Bill Bestwick shifting roles from head coach to focus on general manager duties.

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