BCHL News & Trades:

I found these press releases off team websites, other hockey blogs or online.

BCHL News & Trades:

Prince George-Spruce Grove Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce that they have traded for Jarod Hovde, from the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberts Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. This season with the Saints, Hovde has played in three games, and been held pointless. The eighteen year old has spent the last two seasons playing in the Pursuit of Excellence program, and before that played bantam and minor midget in his hometown of Camrose, Alberta. As the captain of his Pursuit of Excellence team this past season, Hovde had 43 points in 51 games. In eight playoff games, he recorded nine points, three goals and six assists.  “Jarod is a young player who possesses some tremendous skill. When the opportunity to acquire Jarod arose I jumped at it knowing how talented he is and what a great young man he is. He will fit in well with our group and be a big part of our team for several seasons,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

Langley-Salmon Arm Trade:

The Langley Rivermen have completed a trade with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to acquire forward Matthew Saharchuk (1995 born) in exchange for forward Mitch Newsome (1997 born).  Saharchuk is in his second British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) season and has recorded two goals in six games with Salmon Arm. Last season, he spent the year in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with the Battlefords North Stars, and enjoyed his best Junior “A” season to date with 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 44 games. A native of Fort St. James, BC, Saharchuk brings RBC Cup experience to the roster, as he was a member of the Vernon Vipers in 2013-14 when they played host to the event.  “He is a big body that plays a physical game and possesses a strong skill set. He will add a veteran presence to our group and will fit in well to our line-up,” said Rivermen Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Kurt Astle.  Newsome appeared in four games with the Rivermen this season and recorded one assist. The Rivermen would like to thank Mitch for his contributions to the Rivermen and welcome Matthew to the franchise.

Surrey-Coquitlam Trade:

The Surrey Eagles have acquired Micheal Merulla from the Coquitlam Express in exchange for future considerations. Merulla, 1996 born, hails from Kennett Square, PA. Last season he spent time with the Madison Capitals of the USHL along with the Coquitlam Express of the BCHL. Merulla compiled 3 goals, 14 assists in 33 games.  Eagles Head Coach and Director of Hockey Ops, Blaine Neufeld, spoke on the transaction. “We are excited to bring in another player with Junior experience. Micheal put up a lot of points through his U16/U18 programs in Pennsylvania and with a little more opportunity here, we fell, he will flourish and add to our depth.” Merulla will join the Eagles immediately and be ready to suit up for the 2015 BCHL Showcase held in Chilliwack, BC this weekend. 

Prince George-Estevan Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings would like to announce that they have traded forward Luc Soares to the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. Soares was acquired in the offseason from the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Last season he played for the Kirkland Lake Goldminers of the Northern Ontario Hockey League, and had 52 points in 49 games. In six games this year Soares was held pointless and had eight penalty minutes.

Eagles Will Host 2016 CJHL Prospects Game:

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), in partnership with Hockey Canada, NHL Central Scouting and the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), have announced that the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game will be hosted at the South Surrey Arena in Surrey, BC., on January 26, 2016.  The South Surrey Arena was built in 1991 and is the home of the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. The CJHL Prospects Game is one of the premier Junior A hockey events in the country and provides tremendous exposure for the top CJHL prospects to play in front of scouts from all over the hockey world – including the NHL, NCAA, CHL and Canadian universities and colleges. The event will consist of player testing as well as the 11th Annual CJHL Prospects Game. “We are extremely proud and excited to partner with the British Columbia Hockey League and the Surrey Eagles and are extremely thankful for the continued support of the NHL and NHL Central Scouting,” said Kirk Lamb, President of the CJHL. “The great fans in Surrey and the BCHL will see the top prospects from across the country competing in front of scouts from all over the hockey world, including the NHL, NCAA, CIS and CHL.” The rosters for the CJHL Prospects Game are chosen in partnership with NHL Central Scouting and are made up of players recommended by NHL Central Scouting.   Team East is comprised of prospects from the five eastern CJHL leagues, which includes the NOJHL, OJHL, CCHL, LHJQ and MHL, while Team West consists of prospects from the five western CJHL leagues, which includes the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL and SIJHL. The winning team is awarded the President's Cup.  Since its inception in 2005, Team West has slight edge with six wins while Team East has won the cup four times.  Last year’s winner, Team West won a highly spirited and very competitive contest in dramatic fashion in overtime in Oakville, Ontario.  "There is a great history of Junior A hockey in Surrey and with this being the 25th anniversary season of the Surrey Eagles, it's the perfect time for them to host a special event like the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game, said BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale.  “For fans and scouts, I'm sure they'll be interested to see how the prospects handle the Olympic-sized ice surface at South Surrey Arena.  The Eagles organization has embraced the responsibility of staging this event so we eagerly anticipate it returning to our region." Game and ticket information for the 2016 CJHL Prospects Game will be announced in the coming days. About the CJHL - The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of 10 Junior A hockey leagues in Canada. The CJHL represents 131 teams and over 3,000 players and has over 2,900 alumni furthering their hockey careers at the professional, Major Junior and college levels across North America. For the latest CJHL news and features, visit www.cjhlhockey.com and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cjhlhockey or @cjhlhockey

Centennials Acquire Veteran WHL Goaltender Kehler:

BCHL Merritt Centennials are pleased to announce they have signed 1997 born goaltender Cole Kehler. Cole comes to Merritt after playing for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers for two seasons. Cole is originally from Altona, Manitoba but has been in BC now for three years, spending time at the Okanagan Hockey Academy and with the Kamloops Blazers.  In a statement released by Merritt Centennials Coach Joe Martin earlier today: "Cole is a big goalie who moves very well and is extremely competitive. We're looking for his experience in the WHL and his hunger to get back to that level to help us with our goals here in Merritt." To make room for Cole, the Centennials had to say goodbye to Anthony Pupplo. Martin had this to say on Pupplo’s departure from the team: "We wish Anthony all the best, he was a good teammate, and a great community member".

Warriors Sign Nelson & Rutigliano:

The West Kelowna Warriors have added more size to their defence corp with a pair of new players this week. Bryan Nelson (Shrewsbury, Massachussetts) fills out the Warriors 22-man roster, and will play alongside another native of his hometown in returning vet Nick Rutigliano. The 6'4", 220 lbs Nelson played last season for the Walpole Express of the Eastern Hockey League, amassing 24 points in 39 games. The Warriors also have added 93 games of WHL experience in Scott Allan (Thornton, Colorado). Allan, who was released from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, measures in at 6'6", 220 lbs. To make room on the 22-man roster, Kristian Blumenschein has be placed on the Injured Reserve after sustaining an injury in practice this week.

Penticton-Omaha Trade:

The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club has acquired goaltender Zach Driscoll (97) from the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for future considerations, the team announced Monday. With the addition of Driscoll, the Vees feel they have solidified their goaltending tandem for the 2015-16 season. Driscoll, 18, split last season between the Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League and the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. With the Bruins, the Apple Valley, Minnesota, product had a 2.19 goals-against average a .920 save-percentage in 14 games. He then was acquired by the Lancers in December of last year and picked up six wins in 18 games. Prior to playing junior hockey, Driscoll played at East View High School in his hometown of Apple Valley. In his junior year, Driscoll was named to the Associated Press First Team All-State after owning 2.03 goals-against average and a .930 save-percentage in 25 games. Driscoll is committed to St. Cloud State University for the 2016-17 season. The Huskies play in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and recent Vees alumni include Joey Benik, Patrick Newell, Garrett Milan and Joey Holka. In a corresponding move, the Vees have traded goalie Émilien Boily (97) to the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for future considerations.  The Penticton Vees would like to welcome Zach to the South Okanagan and to the organization, and would like to wish Émilien all the best in his future with OCN. 

Warriors, Vees & Bulldogs Making Bid For 2017 Western Canada Cup:

The West Kelowna Warriors and Penticton Vees are both hoping to be guaranteed a long playoff run in 2017. The Interior Division rivals and the Island Division Alberni Valley Bulldogs are all preparing bids to host the 2017 Western Canada Cup. The WCC, introduced in 2013, brings together league champions from the junior leagues in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, plus the host team. The top two teams move on to the RBC Cup. According to BCHL commissioner John Grisdale, official bids must be in the league office by Oct. 23. Presentations will be made at the next board of governors meeting. "We have changed our board of governors meeting from Oct. 5 to Oct. 26 and 27," said Grisdale. "We will hear the three bids on the 27th. We'll have a process in place well before that of how we want to determine a winner." Unlike previous tournaments in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Grisdale said the BCHL is not asking interested teams to guarantee revenue for league coffers. "We went out of our way not to do that. That makes it a bid about who has the deepest pockets and we didn't want to do that," said Grisdale. "We expect each team to bid fairly and if there is a legacy left they can leave the legacy in their community." Penticton has by far the largest building of the three teams expected to bid. The SOEC seats about 5,000 while buildings in West Kelowna and Port Alberni seat about 1,500 and 1,800 respectively. Grisdale said the number of seats is not as important as a solid ticket and sponsorship plan. As for the process, Grisdale has one simple request of his fellow board members. "What I am interested in personally is how they present and make sure the process the board of governors follow in determining the winner is fair. "It's very difficult to do because everyone has their favourites and if you don't like the guy next door you won't vote for him no matter what. That's what I'm hoping for...that we put all those personal grudges aside and pick the one that does the best job in preparing for it."

Stief Re-Joins Spruce Kings:

The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce that Matthew Stief will be rejoining the team this week. In 58 games last season, the defenseman from Weston, Florida posted 33 points and 14 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the team he played in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, and was an assistant captain in his last season with the U18 Belle Tire. Stief was drafted 185th overall by the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL in the offseason, but has decided to come back and rejoin his team in Prince George. “We’re fortunate to have a player with Matt’s ability and character rejoining our team. He’s excited to be back and I know how he will bolster our defensive group,” said Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.

Silverbacks Acquire Kegler-Release Dyment:

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are pleased to announce that they have signed goaltender Brandon Kegler today. Brandon is from Leduc, Alberta and played last year with the Leduc Oil Kings Midget AAA program & Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. To create room the Silverbacks have given Zach Dyment his unconditional release and want to thank him and wish him the best in his hockey endeavors. The Silverbacks will host the Wenatchee Wild for there 1st ever regular season visit to the Shaw Centre this Friday night at 7 PM, followed by the BACKS hosting the Trail Smoke Eaters Saturday night at 7 PM. 

Spruce Kings Suspend Todd:

The Prince George Spruce Kings have suspended 20 year old forward Cole Todd for leaving the team. Todd is in his third season with Prince George is pointless in four games this season. 

West Kelowna-Melville Trade:

The West Kelowna Warriors have made a move with the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In the deal, the Warriors have traded G Daniel Mannella (95) and D Jake Tesarowski (97) to Melville for the CJHL Playing Rights to G Trevor Martin (96) and Future Considerations. Mannella, who was an off-season acquisition of the Warriors, struggled early on in the season, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.44 GAA and .812 Sv %. Martin, is currently with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, who are the hosts the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup. Last season in Melville, Martin went 10-9, with a 2.15 GAA and .929 Sv %. He also played all 6 playoff games for the Millionaires, having a 2.74 GAA and .921 Sv % in a 1st round loss to Nipawin. In a related move, the Warriors have added G Stephen Heslop (95) from the Princeton Posse of the KIJHL to round out the goaltending duo with Forbes Ploszaj. Heslop, played 6 regular season games for the Warriors last season as an Affiliate Player, and had a 2.89 GAA with .923 Sv %. He also saw 3 playoff games, including making 47 saves in a triple OT loss to the Penticton Vees.

Kings Acquire Former WHLer Kohlhauser:


The Powell River Kings are happy to announce the addition of 96-born defenceman Jake Kohlhauser from the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. The 6’1, 200lb product of St. Albert, Alberta has extensive experience at the Western Hockey League level, having played for the Vancouver Giants, Victoria Royals and Edmonton Oil Kings prior to this season. A self-proclaimed defensive defenceman, Kohlhauser had 1 goal and 5 assists in 75 regular season games with the three clubs. “It’s been a long trip out (to Powell River), but I’m happy to be here. I talked with the Kings before going to Edmonton’s camp and found out about the team and the town, and I’m really happy to be here.” “Jake is an experienced defenceman who is just going to add to our blue line” says Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis. “He takes care of his own zone first and foremost which is something we’re really looking for out of our guys and I think he’s going to compliment the experience we’ve already got back there.” Kohlhauser is expected to be in the lineup as the Kings take on the Vernon Vipers at the Hap Parker Arena on Friday night.