The construction fences are still up, but there's already a banner to hang in Shawnigan's new hockey rink.

After posting an impressive 24-0 record in the regular season, the School's senior team capped off its inaugural campaign with a thrilling weekend at league playoffs in Penticton.

Having earned a bye through the quarterfinals, Shawnigan squeaked-out a 3-2 shootout win over Banff Hockey Academy in the semis. Triston L. and Noah C. scored regulation goals for the Black and Gold, while Noah also added the lone tally of the shootout to ensure a spot in the final.

As expected, Friday's championship game pitted Shawnigan against Idaho's Compete Hockey Academy – the top two teams from the Varsity Division and a budding rivalry on the ice. Despite a 61-33 shot advantage for Shawnigan, the game proved to be a nail-biter. Each team scored once per period, with Liam K. scoring twice for Shawnigan and Gavin Y. contributing a goal from the blueline. Tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime, Gavin Y. scored the lone goal of the shootout to give Shawnigan the victory and the title of CSSHL Varsity Champions.

"It just shows that the program is off to a great start" says an ecstatic Kevin Cooper, the School's Head Coach and Director of Hockey. "I am proud of the support from the school and the parents. Most of all I'm proud of the kids and the dedication they gave towards playing a team game. It shows that character and work ethic are the key factors in winning a championship."

While Cooper stressed team play, and his leaders in particular, for the triumph, Shawnigan players did earn several individual accolades. Noah C. was named the division's most valuable player, while Marek P. and Gavin Y. were named top goaltender and top defenceman respectively. Olin W., meanwhile, earned 'Student athlete of the year' honours.

Of course, while success has come quickly to Shawnigan's hockey program, there are still higher mountains looming in the world of high school hockey. The league title came on the heels of an eye-opening trip to Ontario at the start of Spring Break for the first-ever National Independent School Invitational Championship. Created as a chance to showcase prep school hockey across the country, the event pitted Shawnigan's fledgling program against famed schools with storied hockey traditions. Co-hosts St. Andrew's College and Upper Canada College battled their way to a grudge match in the tournament's championship game. Shawnigan, meanwhile, finished the week at 1-4 while gaining invaluable experience against bigger, more established opponents from Eastern Canada.

"The NISIC tournament helped put Shawnigan's hockey program on the map" Cooper believes. "It gave the kids top-level competition and an understanding of the growth still to come."

That growth seems more measurable with word the School will jump up to the CSSHL's top division (Prep) for the 2015-16 season. That move, combined with a new arena and Shawnigan's already sterling academic reputation, positions Shawnigan as an emerging force in Canada's favourite sport.

– Jon Zacks