I found these press releases off team websites, other hockey blogs or online.
BCHL News & Trades:
Lease Snag Has Victoria Grizzlies Future In Doubt:
A snag in negotiations over a new lease at The Q Centre in Colwood means there is a real possibility that the Victoria Grizzlies could fold up shop, and soon. Negotiations between the B.C. Hockey League club — which has struggled financially the last few years — and the West Shore Parks and Recreation committee have faltered. Grizzlies president and alternate governor John Wilson was not available for comment, but vice-president of business operations Sonya Saujani made it clear that the team has one foot practically out the door. “We’ve hit an end of the road, so to speak, with West Shore Parks and Rec. It looks like we’re not going to get a deal. We have until the end of the month to figure this out, but there is a good chance the Grizzlies could be going black then,” she said. “Ownership is not prepared to lose any more money and West Shore Parks and Rec doesn’t seem to understand that. “We’re not trying to get rich here, we’re just trying to break even and keep this team in Victoria. We’ve done everything we can to keep this team in Victoria, now it’s up to someone else to step up and give us a place to play that we can afford,” she added. The Q Centre’s other main tenant, the Victoria Shamrocks, have long expressed their displeasure with their own lease and the organization is also in the last year of its deal. Losing one or both clubs would obviously affect how the facility is run. Rob Martin, the chairman of the committee, said the group had pitched the Grizzlies a deal at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and had not heard back. He was not prepared to negotiate in the media, but the two sides are meeting again today at 1 p.m. “We’re hoping to have a resolution,” he said. A sticking point in negotiations is the Grizzlies were paying the highest rent in the BCHL prior to this latest offer. The team also does not get a portion of concession or liquor sales at the facility. The Victoria HarbourCats are said to get a percentage of sales at city owned Royal Athletic Park. “We would like to and that’s something we will be looking for in the next lease, absolutely,” Wilson told the Times Colonist during the team’s playoff run in March. “We have to find a happy medium. They need revenues to operate the arena and we need a figure that works and revenue back from the concession to operate this team.” Instead, the Grizzlies claim the West Shore committee has reportedly proposed a $36,000 increase as part of the lease negotiations. All details were not made readily available by either side. There have long been rumours of a new rink being constructed in Langford, but that would be at least two seasons away and Westhills Arena is too small to host a Junior A team. So for now, the future of the BCHL franchise is in jeopardy.
Mendel, Jones & Ward Commit To Penticton:
The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announced three local commitments from Penticton-based, Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA), for the upcoming 2015-2016 season. Defensemen Griffin Mendel (99) and Sam Jones (97), and forward Taylor Ward (98) will swap red for Vees blue this fall, as they’ve committed to the team for the upcoming BCHL season. President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, “OHA has been a tremendous partner for the Vees over many years now. We are fortunate to have such a high performance program so geographically close to the team. We’ve never had so many OHA players join our squad in one year, and I believe the pipeline to the Vees in future years looks equally exciting.” Added Harbinson, “We have made it a priority to add more local talent to our program. We want Vees fans to be proud of our local players, and with Cody DePourcq now graduated, we are very pleased to have three such talented and dedicated South Okanagan kids – both on the ice and in the classroom – joining our program.” Mendel, 16, and his teammates won the Canadian Sports Schools Hockey League (CSSHL) Prep Division championship this past spring with the OHA Prep White team. At 6’2”, the rear-guard is known as a responsible, intelligent defenseman (a Penticton High School straight-A student) who can play in all situations, and possesses a heavy shot from the point. Griffin was a first-round selection in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, going 11th overall to the Kootenay Ice. Mendel’s potential has caught the eye of many top NCAA Division l programs, and he appeared in two games this past season with the Vees as an Affiliate Player. Jones, who turns 18 in November, also played next door for OHA Prep Red, in the CSSHL. Jones, a local Penticton product, averaged over a point per-game on the blue-line this past season, amassing 31 points in 28 games. Jones was the highest scoring defenseman on OHA Red, and finished 2nd in CSSHL Prep League scoring. The 6’2 blue-liner is known as a strong skater, who like Mendel, has a hard shot from the point. Also a Penticton High school high achieving student, the Vees coaching staff is very keen on Jones’ upside. Ward won a CSSHL championship with Mendel on OHA White this past season, and finished second in team scoring with 50 points in 28 games. The 17-year-old forward had a team-best 41 assists and possesses a strong hockey IQ. Ward parlayed his regular season success into the CSSHL playoffs, where he showed strong, two-way forward habits and helped OHA Prep White to a Prep Division Championship. Those traits should come as no surprise, as his father Dixon Ward played over 500 games in the NHL with Vancouver, Los Angeles, Toronto, Buffalo and the New York Rangers. Taylor has caught the eye of several NCAA Division I programs, and scored his first career BCHL goal this past season with the Vees in a game against West Kelowna.
Creamer Commits To Nanaimo:
The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that Matt Creamer has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 18 year old forward joins the Clippers from the Selects Academy U18 Team at South Kent School in South Kent Connecticut. During the 2014-2015 season the 6’2” 195lb Warwick Rhode Island native tallied 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points in 69 games played. Matt is also committed to the NCAA Division 1 Quinnipiac Bobcats in the ECAC league.
Spruce Kings Name Lepper New Broadcaster/Communications Director:
Last season Ryan Lepper was the Broadcaster for the Port Moody Panthers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League and is graduating this June from the Radio Arts and Entertainment Program at BCIT. Ryan is familiar with Prince George having recently spent some time here during the Canada Winter Games working for ViaSport in their production of television articles related to the Games. “I am really excited to be joining the Prince George Spruce Kings, and integrating myself with the fan base who I know are one of the best in the league. I've been to Prince George before, but I'm looking forward to settling in, and getting to know the city” said Ryan Lepper. “We are very excited to add a young, energetic person like Ryan to our Spruce Kings family. We haven’t had a broadcaster on the road for the past couple of seasons and it was a priority for me that we get back to providing that to our dedicated and deserving fans” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes. Ryan will also oversee all social media accounts for the club and will also be heavily involved in creating and maintaining our blog and website. He will also oversee all media related issues and provide all team related media items to media outlets. "We'd like to congratulate Ryan on the terrific news that he's been hired by the Spruce Kings. We are very proud of him to advance from the PJHL to the next level of hockey in the BCHL," said Panthers GM Frank Iantorno. "It's a wonderful accomplishment for Ryan and we wish him all the best in his new position." The entire Panthers organization would like to thank Ryan for his hard work and dedication during his one season behind the mic in Port Moody. Follow the Panthers on Twitter at @PJHLPanthers or search Port Moody Panthers Hockey Club on Facebook. The Panthers are proudly celebrating ten seasons as Port Moody's local junior hockey team. The Panthers are owned by local residents and run by a dedicated team of investors and volunteers.
Harbinson Returning To Vees-Penticton Vees Applying For 2017 Western Canada Cup:
Fred Harbinson is staying in Penticton and his two superstar prodigies are going to be right there with him. After considering coaching offers at the NCAA Division 1 and Major Junior hockey levels, Harbinson has committed his immediate future to the Penticton Vees and taking another run at an RBC Cup national Junior-A championship. Defenceman Dante Fabbro and forward Tyson Jost – both projected as first-round picks in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft – also confirmed they will return to Penticton for the 2015-16 season. Harbinson said his young family had some opportunities to consider but Penticton was ultimately where they wanted to be. Helping develop young players like Jost and Fabbro, as well as enjoying the people he works with, the city, the community and its legion of hockey fans ultimately made the decision to stay a logical one for the 43-year-old president, general manager and head coach. “We’ve got a great owner in Graham Fraser and for now and the future we have plans to keep growing the team and the franchise,” said Harbinson, who still has four years left on a contract extension he signed last year. “We’re in this long-term. Other offers happen but this isn’t a conversation I foresee Graham and I having every year.” Harbinson acknowledged his family’s home in Heritage Hills is up for sale, a scenario that took on a life of its own on social media in recent weeks. “We just want to move into town, that’s all,” said Harbinson. “I want to make that clear to everyone.” Harbinson has enjoyed a wildly successful eight-year tenure with the Vees, including a record-setting season in 2011-12 that concluded with the Vees first RBC Cup national title since 1986. The Vees won BCHL playoff titles in 2008, 2012 and 2015 and this year won the Western Canada Cup for the first time. Harbinson has been busy getting commitments from some top-end recruits in the recent weeks and believes the team has a good nucleus in place to again take a run at a BCHL title, and ultimately an RBC Cup championship in 2015-16. “That’s always our goal,” said Harbinson. “We came so close last year. I know we’ve lost a lot of players but the cupboard isn’t as bare as some people might like to believe.” And with Jost and Fabbro back in the fold, the Vees will be among the early-season contenders. The 1998-born phenoms were both picked in the first round of the 2013 Western Hockey League bantam draft (Jost 7th by Everett and Fabbro 8th by Seattle), but surprised many by deciding instead to play in Penticton. Both had terrific seasons for the Vees while also playing for Canadian entries at the World Under-17 Challenge and World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. “A lot of people assumed they wouldn’t be two-year players for us,” said Harbinson. “We knew they could step in and help as one-year players, then they could evaluate their respective situations from there. “It’s all about developing young men and players here … the games are only part of the equation. Playing at this level, with this club, it’s a great option and kids like Tyson and Dante see that. Obviously they’re two of the very best returning players in this league and we’re thrilled to have them back.” Harbinson said he anticipates Jost and Fabbro will be getting a lot of interest from NCAA Division 1 programs this season. Harbinson, meanwhile, confirmed the Vees are going to put together a bid to host the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup when it’s the BCHL’s turn again in 2016-17. This year’s WCC will be held in Estevan, Sask. The coach said the Vees are in the early stages of the process and will consult with the league during the BCHL’s annual general meeting this week in Vancouver. “It’s a big financial endeavour to take this on and it will take a huge commitment by everyone,” said Harbinson. “We’ve got the facility, the infrastructure and the fan base to make the event a great success. The economic spin-off for the community would be quite significant.”
McLean & Armour Commit To Trail:
The Trail Smoke Eaters Organization is pleased to announce the signing of Beaver Valley Nitehawks forwards, Spencer McLean (98) and Ross Armour (98) for the 2015-2016 season. Ross Armour finished second in team scoring on the Nitehawks during the regular season last year. Armour scored 14 goals and added 43 assists in his rookie season with the Hawks. 9 of Armour’s 14 goals were tallied on the powerplay. Armour then went on to lead the Hawks in scoring during the playoffs, scoring 4 goals and adding 10 assists in 14 games. The Trail native is excited to get the season going. “I’m honoured to play for my home town team. I always dreamed about playing for the Smoke Eaters, and it’s finally coming true.” stated Armour when asked to comment on his signing. Spencer McLean was another big part of the Nitehawks success last season, finishing 3rd in team scoring behind Armour. McLean scored 18 times and added 20 assists in his 51 games during his rookie season. McLean continued his strong regular season with a 12 point playoff total in 14 games, scoring 10 times. Being from Montrose, McLean was also excited to be pulling on the home town Smoke Eaters jersey this upcoming season. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to play for the Smoke Eaters, and I’m glad that I now have this opportunity”, stated McLean. “We are extremely happy that both Spencer McLean and Ross Armour have chosen to play for the Smoke Eaters. Both players have proven their abilities as 16yr olds with the Beaver Valley Nitehawks and we look forward to developing them as they pursue an NCAA opportunity,” commented Smoke Eaters head coach and general manager Nick Deschene.
Fabbro & Jost Returning To Vees:
Two of the brightest young stars in the BCHL last season will be back in Penticton for another year. The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is excited to announce defenseman Dante Fabbro (98) and forward Tyson Jost (98) will return to the team for the 2015-2016 season. Fabbro and Jost, who are considered two of the top ‘98-born players in Canada, received heavy interest at both the Major Junior and NCAA level but will be in Vees colours come September, and will be looking to build upon breakout rookie campaigns. Also, President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson is staying put and is excited to help develop Fabbro and Jost for another season, “People say what more can I do in Penticton with the Vees? The fact is no matter where I coach it’s my job to have an impact and develop players. I have the ability to work with some of the most talented up and coming players in North America right here in Penticton-which is shown when players such as Tyson and Dante choose Penticton as a launching pad to the NHL.” “Every year there are new players and new challenges-there is plenty left to accomplish,” added Harbinson. Jost, 17, had a terrific season up front for the Vees finishing fourth in team scoring in the regular season, as he averaged nearly a point per-game, with 23 goals and 45 points in 46 games; his 23 goals were tied for the team lead. Those numbers didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named to the BCHL All-Rookie team this spring. Jost found another gear in the playoffs, scoring a team-best 10 goals in 21 BCHL playoff games, en route to the Vees Fred Page Cup Championship win over Nanaimo. He turned heads at the Western Canada Cup (WCC), compiling five goals and six points as the Vees won their first ever WCC Championship in franchise history. Jost was also named the tournament’s Top Forward and Top Scorer. He shined on the national stage as well, picking up three goals and four points at the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He also is the first player to have played in all four Hockey Canada tournaments. He won bronze at the 2014 Telus Cup with the Okanagan Rockets, suited up for Canada at both the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, and helped the Vees to a semi-final berth at the RBC Cup. Including the BCHL regular season, playoffs, Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup, Jost had an impressive 41 goals and 69 points in 76 games. Fabbro excelled on the Vees blue-line this year, despite what his birth certificate says. The 16-year-old was the third-highest scoring defensemen on the Vees roster this year, compiling 33 points in just 44 games; international duty had him miss 12 games. That regular season earned him a spot on the BCHL All-Rookie team alongside Tyson Jost. Despite being the Vees youngest rear-guard, Fabbro excelled in the BCHL post-season, as he was the highest-scoring Vees defenseman, notching four goals and 15 points in 21 playoff games, helping the Vees captured their second league championship in four years. Fabbro, like Jost, wore the maple leaf at both the World Under-17 Challenge and World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. Fabbro continued his strong play in Alberta and Manitoba at the Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup. At the WCC, the blue-liner had a pair of goals and three points in five games, and another three assists in five more games at the RBC Cup. Fabbro played a key role on the Vees blue-line in the post-season and his performance at the RBC Cup led to him being named the tournament’s Top Defenseman. Jost and Fabbro have been projected as first round draft picks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by numerous hockey publications. The Vees organization is thrilled to have Tyson and Dante back in the fold for the 2015-2016 season.
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