I found these press releases off team websites, other hockey blogs or online.
BCHL News & Trades:
Vees GM/Coach Harbinson A Hot Commodity:
The hottest prospect with the Penticton Vees might be general manager and coach Fred Harbinson, if you believe the rumour mills. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Harbinson, who is fresh off leading the Vees to the RBC Cup national Junior A tournament, has been approached about an assistant’s job with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. He would only tell the Journal, “I haven’t applied for any job openings in college.” Meanwhile, WHL circles also have the Vancouver Giants considering him for their head coaching spot. Ted Nolan, the former Buffalo Sabres bench boss, is among those who have also been linked to that gig. Contacted on Thursday, Harbinson, 43, was preparing for the Vees spring camp, which started later in the day, and maintained, “that’s what I’m concentrating on.” As for the various job possibilities, Harbinson played coy, explaining, “there’s a lot interesting things going on in the hockey world right now.” Penticton lost 2-1 in overtime to Ontario’s Carleton Place Canadians on Saturday in the RBC semifinals in Portage la Prairie, Man. The tournament host Portage Terriers beat Carleton 5-2 in the Canadian finale on Sunday. This season marked the second time in four years that Penticton has advanced to the RBC. They won the Canadian banner in 2011-12, after setting various BCHL records with their 54-4-0-2 regular season. Penticton was a BCHL-best 44-9-3-2 during the 2014-15 regular season. Harbinson, a Calgary native, has been at the helm of the Vees since the 2007-08 campaign. Prior to that, he was in the NCAA ranks as an assistant at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State for five seasons. Harbinson is best known for his recruiting. That 2011-12 team included eight players from Minnesota, highlighted by defenceman Mike Reilly, 21, who is getting all sorts of attention these days as a pending unrestricted NHL free agent after forgoing his senior campaign at the University of Minnesota. This season, Harbinson landed hotshot 16-year-olds Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro, who are being billed in some corners as potential first-round picks for the 2016 NHL draft. Fabbro, a defenceman, has said he plans to return to the Penticton next season. Jost, a forward, has completed high school early, according to Harbinson, and might try to land with an NCAA team for 2015-16. If he doesn’t do that, he, too, is looking at coming back to Penticton, according to Harbinson. It will be interesting to see if that has any tie to what Harbinson ends up doing. Conversely, will Fabbro or Jost go another route if Harbinson doesn’t return? Jost led the Vees in goals during BCHL action, scoring 33 times in 67 combined regular season and playoff games. He added 26 assists. Fabbro was third in assists on the team in BCHL play, amassing 40 in 65 combined BCHL regular season and playoff games. He had also tallied eight times. Junior A is generally dominated by older players than major junior because it permits more 20-year-olds. The WHL, for instance, allows three 20-year-olds per team. BCHL clubs can have up to six. Five of the 10 Junior A leagues across the country allow up to nine 20-year-olds per team. Jost, who’s from Leduc, Alta., but played his bantam with the Kelowna-based Pursuit of Excellence, was the picked seventh overall by the Everett Silvertips in the 2013 WHL bantam draft. Fabbro, who’s from Coquitlam and is a Burnaby Winter Club product, was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds that same year.
Reinhart Commits To Clippers:
The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that Jonathan Reinhart has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 19 year old goaltender joins the Clippers after spending the past two seasons playing for the Elmira Sugar Kings of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. During the 2014-2015 season the Cambridge Ontario native had a record of 28-6-3 with a .922 save percentage while helping the Sugar Kings win the Cherry Cup as Champions of the Midwestern Conference of the GOJHL. Jonathan was the co-winner for the lowest GAA in the Midwestern Conference as well as sharing the Team Goalie Award for the top goalie tandem in the league.
Krause Leaves Chiefs:
Kraig Krause, the Chilliwack Chiefs play-by-play announcer, has accepted an offer from York University Lions Athletics to cover the organization’s varsity sports. In addition, Krause will be completing his honours bachelor degree in communications at York University.
Sandhu Commits To Bulldogs:
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce that 1999-born forward Jordan Sandhu has committed to the team for the 2015/16 season and will be working towards securing an NCAA Division 1 scholarship. Sandhu affiliated with the Bulldogs in 2014/15 and appeared in one game, becoming an instant fan favorite because of his skill and work ethic. “When I got the chance to play for the Bulldogs last season, the coaching staff and players were welcoming and the atmosphere of the fans was awesome,” said Sandhu. “It made for a pretty easy decision.” Sandhu played the 2014/15 season with the Greater Vancouver Canadians of the BC Major Midget League. As a 15-year-old rookie, Sandhu recorded 27 points (3G, 24A) in 36 games. Sandhu also had the honour of being selected to Team BC at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, held in Prince George, BC, where he competed against the best 1999-born players from across Canada. Against the top competition, Sandhu had 4 points in 6 games. “Jordan was a very deserving and valuable member of Team BC,” said Team BC?s director of operations Mitch Pinsky. “He displayed his strong two-way style of play, high compete level and a very impressive hockey IQ. Jordan was a tremendous teammate,” added Pinsky. Sandhu was drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 WHL bantam draft by the Kelowna Rockets and has an older brother, Tyler, who currently plays in the WHL. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very pleased to welcome Jordan to the Bulldogs family.
Petruzzelli Commits To Nanaimo:
The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that DJ Petruzzelli has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 18 year old forward joins the Clippers from the Springfield Cathedral Panthers in Springfield Massachusetts. During the 2014-2015 season the Wilbraham Massachusetts native tallied 21 goals and 46 assists for 67 points in 25 games played. DJ is also committed to the NCAA Division 1 Quinnipiac Bobcats in the ECAC league.
Riley Commits To Chilliwack Chiefs:
The Chilliwack Chiefs are pleased to announce that 19 year old forward Brendan Riley has committed to the Chiefs for the 2015-16 season. Riley is from West Point, New York where his father Brian is the head coach of Army’s NCAA Men’s Hockey Team. He spent the last two seasons with Kimball Union Academy in Meriden New Hampshire where he scored 20 goals and added 27 assists in 70 regular season games. “We are very excited to add Brendan to our line-up as he adds speed and skill to our group of forwards,” said Chiefs Head Coach and General Manager Jason Tatarnic. “He’s a competitor who wants to win and excel and is a player numerous NCAA programs have interest in.” “I couldn’t be more thankful and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization and community in Chilliwack,” said Riley. “I am really anxious to get out there and get to work. I look forward to build upon the great season they had last year.” Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are now available. Visit the Chiefs website or call the Chiefs office at 604.392.4433 for more details.
Barrow, Zieky & Russ Commit To Langley Rivermen:
The Langley Rivermen are pleased to announce the commitments of Ryan Barrow (97), Chase Zieky (96), and Brenden Russ (96) to the Rivermen roster for the 2015-16 season. “We’re excited to have these three young men join the Rivermen organization,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bobby Henderson. “They’re outstanding players and each will make immediate impacts with the team.” Barrow, born in Banff, Alberta played for the Banff Hockey Academy Prep team where he finished second in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) in scoring in the 2014-15 season. As captain, Barrow netted 65 points (25g, 40a) in 27 games, leading the team in scoring. “He’s a great playmaker with excellent vision who will bolster our offense this season,” said Henderson. The forward also finished top ten in scoring in the Heritage Junior ‘B’ Hockey League with 63 points (24g, 39a) in 31 games with Banff. “After talking with the coaching staff, the program sounded first class,” said Barrow. “It was a pretty easy decision for me and my family.” “I’ve seen the rink a couple times and compared to other junior ‘A’ rinks, it’s seems pretty unbelievable,” he added. Zieky, from Avon, Connecticut played for the Avon Old Farms, a prep school in Avon, Connecticut. As team captain, he scored 45 points (26g, 27a) in 26 games this past season. “It was one of my first junior teams I talked to,” said Zieky. “I did some research, looked it up and knew that’s where I wanted to play. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Langley.” “Chase is a natural goal scorer who’s got size, strength and skill. We’re excited to see him play in a Rivermen jersey,” said Henderson. Russ, from Las Vegas, Nevada played at Choate Rosemary Hall, a prep school in Wallingford, Connecticut. The defenseman played 28 games, scoring 15 points (8g, 7a) in 2014-15. “Brenden is a puck-moving defenseman who is very good on the powerplay,” said Henderson. “I like to play defense first,” said Russ. “I can also jump into the rush and help put points on the board.” All three players will be taking part in the Langley Rivermen training camp in August. 2015-16 Rivermen Season Tickets are on sale now for 99-dollars.
Seamus, Brodzinski ,Poolman & Bowen Commit To Penticton Vees:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce four American additions for the 2015-2016 season. Defensemen Seamus Donohue (96) and Colton Poolman (95), along with forwards Easton Brodzinski (96) and Dixon Bowen (96) have committed to play in Penticton this fall. Donohue, who turns 19 in June, played four years of High School hockey at St. Thomas Academy Cadets in Minnesota. Donohue was considered one of the top defenseman in Minnesota and is known as a responsible, puck-moving rear-guard who has offensive tools and plays with an edge. In his senior year at St. Thomas, Donohue had 35 points in 25 games and helped the Cadets to the Minnesota State 1A Semi-Final. Donohue and the Cadets won back-to-back 1A State Championships in 2012 and 2013. Donohue is committed to play at the Air Force Academy after his junior career in Penticton. Poolman, 20, chose to finish his junior career in Penticton, after parts of two seasons with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Poolman had 10 assists in 46 games this past season in Fargo but is known for his play away from the puck, as a solid defensive defenseman. Prior to joining the Force, Poolman played High School hockey in his hometown of East Grand Forks, Minnesota. In 2014, Poolman helped lead East Grand Forks to the 1A Minnesota State Championship. Poolman comes from a hockey family, as his older brother Tucker, a Winnipeg Jets draft pick, is a sophomore defenseman at North Dakota and his father Mark is UND’s Strength and Conditioning Coach. Poolman’s experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to the Vees blue-line. Colton is committed to play at North Dakota in 2016. Like Poolman, Easton Brodzinski comes from a family with strong hockey ties in Minnesota. Easton’s two older brothers play NCAA Division l hockey in Minnesota. His oldest brother, Johnny, just finished a 3-year career at St. Cloud State University and signed a pro contract with the LA Kings. His other brother Michael is entering his junior year at the University of Minnesota. Easton played three years of High School hockey in Blaine, Minnesota, where he tallied 72 points in 80 games. Easton brings a nice blend of size and skill to the Vees line-up this fall and like his brother Johnny and father Mike, he’ll play his college hockey at St. Cloud State, where he’s committed to play after his time in Penticton. Bowen played with Poolman in Fargo this past season, splitting the season between the USHL and East Grand Forks (EGF) High School. Bowen and the East Grand Forks Green Wave just won their second consecutive Minnesota State 1A Championship. Bowen was the recipient of the Herb Brooks Award after leading all scorers at the State Tournament. This past season, Bowen had 21 goals to go along with 29 assists in 23 games. He had another seven goals and 15 points in six playoff games. Bowen adds size and high-end skill to the Vees roster, as he’s led the Green Wave in scoring in both the regular season and playoffs. Bowen is committed to play his collegiate hockey at UND. The Vees organization is excited to welcome Colton, Easton, Dixon and Seamus to the organization and the South Okanagan.
Smith Commits To Nanaimo Clippers:
The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that Christopher Smith has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 18 year old forward joins the Clippers after spending the past two seasons playing for Stanstead Prep School in Stanstead, Quebec. During the 2014-2015 season the St. Bruno de Montarville, Quebec native tallied 52 goals and 31 assists for 83 points in 58 games played.
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