Wednesday, August 7, 2019

BCHL News & Trades:

I found these press releases off team websites, twitter accounts, blogs or online. All Vipers news-trades are posted on this blog as soon as released-announced.

BCHL News & Trades:

Bulldogs Finalize 5-Year Lease Extension At The Alberni Valley Multiplex:

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the city of Port Alberni are pleased to announce that two are in the process of finalizing a 5-year (Five) lease extension at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. The new agreement would see the Multiplex remain the home of the Bulldogs through at least the conclusion of the 2024 season. “We’re excited to be in a position to extend our great partnership with the City of Port Alberni,” said Bulldogs president David Michaud. “We’re very proud to call the Multiplex home and greatly appreciate the city’s desire to make Bulldogs hockey feasible for many years to come. Our purchase agreement was predicated on the city’s willingness to get a deal done and we’re excited to see it go before council. We want the Bulldogs to be in Port Alberni” “Council has previously expressed a desire to keep the Bulldogs in Port Alberni, and staff are actively working on a 5-year lease extension for consideration by City Council,” said Willa Thorpe, Director of Parks, Recreation and Heritage. The matter will appear before for council on August 12th, their next scheduled meeting. The Bulldogs have had a big offseason with the addition of a new ownership structure, Joe Martin being named the head coach and general manager, and several quality additions to the roster. Regarded as one of the toughest buildings in the BCHL for a road team, the Bulldogs are excited to put a product on the ice that will have the “Dog Pound” full for years to come.

2019-20 Penticton Vees Spotlight: Jackson Niedermayer

A new season always brings promise for players new and familiar to the league but for one particular returning forward, the season brings redemption to the top of his mind. Jackson Niedermayer missed a large chunk of the 2018/19 season for the Vees, suffering an injury that made him unavailable for late season and playoff hockey but the 18-year-old is geared up for a strong return to the ice. “The coaching staff and training staff gave me everything I needed to get back to where I was and I actually feel better than I did last year.” Niedermayer said, “Having Matt Fraser and Evan McIntrye here, training with them and pushing each other has been good and being able to get over the mental aspect of being sidelined and hitting the ice will be good as well.” The relationship between Niedermayer and McIntyre has a friendly competitiveness about it with both looking to top one another in workouts, “It was always my plan to stay in Penticton through the summer and train here so it was good to have someone else stay in town and have someone who pushes you in the gym and competing in that aspect as well.” California is quickly becoming a hockey hotbed and the Newport Beach native is excited for the future of hockey from the West Coast, “Growing up, there’s definitely a sense that hockey has grown down there and the NHL teams have done all they can to help the development of the game,” mentioned Niedermayer, “It’s exciting to see coming from California and seeing all of my buddies come up and play at the same level.” Niedermayer played three seasons with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program before coming to Penticton and a first season which the 6’0″, 198-pound forward quite enjoyed, “Obviously, being injured isn’t how I imagined my first year to go but the guys welcomed me into the team and made the transition into junior hockey that much easier.” “Part of the transition was coming to Penticton and seeing how much the Vees meant to the community and how well they are supported,” Niedermayer continued, “You come to Canada and everyone knows who the Vees are and it was pretty cool to get to experience hockey in a town like this and I look forward to getting to live that again this season.” While with the Vees a season ago, Niedermayer landed a commitment to Arizona State University, where the 18-year-old will further his hockey career with the Sun Devils. A big decision but one that was made easier by the proximity to home and a team that is on the rise in the Grand Canyon State, “When Coach (Greg) Powers as well as Coach (Mike) Field came up, I knew it was the place I wanted to be,” said Niedermayer, “What they did last year in being ranked in the Top 10 in the Nation over the season and making it to the Regional Tournament was exciting too.” “Living in California, Arizona is right next door and it’ll be like playing at home and I’m excited to get there and create something but at the end of the day, coming back here for another season and trying to win a National Championship with the Vees is where my mindset is at.” There certainly was no shortage of people to look up to and role models in Jackson’s life growing up while father Scott and brother Rob played on the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League. Niedermayer’s cousin, Jason Strudwick, also carved out an impressive NHL resume of his own and were there every step of the way in helping Jackson develop his hockey skills. “Growing up, I was very fortunate to have my Dad  to talk to and get their aspect on everything and learn from him,” Niedermayer stated, “I take his advice and learn as much as I can from him but at the end of the day, I don’t see him as anything other than ‘Dad’ so it’s nice to have that kind of a person to look up to and help with any questions I have.”

BCHL Next Generation: Merritt Centennials

All summer we’ll be going team-by-team to profile new players coming in for the 2019-20 season with recaps of offseason commits and acquisitions. We will also have interviews and scouting reports from the coaches.

Next up is the Merritt Centennials.

After a solid season last year that saw them tie for the Interior Division lead, the Merritt Centennials have gone through a number of changes this offseason. Most significantly, they hired longtime BCHL coach Barry Wolff to replace Joe Martin, who after eight years with the team departed to coach the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Wolff brings over 20 years of junior coaching experience, including 14 in the BCHL. His most recent stint in the league was with the Coquitlam Express from 2013 to 2018 where he won a Fred Page Cup in his first season. Wolff, who coached the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) last season, recognizes he’s taking over a program that is still in a good position thanks to the work done by his predecessors. “The program is in good shape,” said Wolff. “It’s been around forever, so there are a lot of good building blocks there. We just need to continue what they’ve got going.” After taking over the team on May 2, Wolff didn’t rush things on the recruitment trail, a decision that he maintains will be beneficial for the team going forward. “Obviously, we got a late start, so recruiting has been a bit of a battle, but it’s coming,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we went through the process and did things properly. We’re going to take the time and more or less make guys earn their spot out of camp, which I think is the proper way to do it anyway.” Rather than announce player commitments prior to training camp, the Centennials have executed several trades that they hope will have an impact on the team next year.

Players acquired via trade

Matthew Osadick (2000, F)

  • Hometown: Grande Point, Man.
  • Previous team: Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL)
  • Commitment: University of Maine (2020-21)

A player Wolff is quite familiar with as he coached him last season in Swan Valley, Osadick was the team’s third-leading scorer with 63 points (29 goals, 34 assists) in 45 games. He also played for Team Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge.

Wolff’s scouting report:

“He’s a dynamic player with high-end skill. Hopefully he puts up some points for us like he did last year. He’s a power-play guy that, when you need a goal late in the game, he can add that. He’s a Team Canada West guy, so he’s got that experience on his resume. He’s going to add a lot to our locker room.”

Olson Werenka (1999, D)

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
  Previous team: Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Werenka had 20 points in 50 games for Salmon Arm last year. The 19-year-old also spent time with the Trail Smoke Eaters in 2017-18, before joining the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) later that year where he played the majority of that season.

Wolff’s scouting report:

“He’s a veteran guy. We wanted to add some more maturity to our blueline. He’s a kid that brings a lot of grit and determination and he’s hard to play against. In our arena, we want to make sure we can look after the front of our net in our own zone. That’s something that we were lacking and he brings that.”

Chase Nameth (2000, F)

Hometown: Regina, Sask.
  • Previous team: Chilliwack Chiefs

Nameth played 44 games with the Chiefs last year in a depth role where he registered a goal and two assists.

Wolff’s scouting report:

“We needed to get a little more sandpaper and grit in our lineup. He definitely brings that. He didn’t have a whole lot of points last year in Chilliwack, but he was playing behind some pretty good players. The scouting report on him is that he could add some secondary scoring and that’s what we’re hoping for.”

Tanner Mortenson (2000, F)

  • Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
  • Previous team: Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)

The 18-year-old missed most of last season with Notre Dame due to injury, only getting in 14 games.

Wolff’s scouting report:

“Unfortunately, he didn’t have a lot of game time last season. He’s another kid that brings a solid work ethic and some grit and determination. He’ll add some depth to our lineup.”

Prince George-North York Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings have acquired Goaltender Jett Alexander (99) from the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for Future Considerations. Alexander, a 6’5”, 215 pound product of Bloomfield, Ontario, joins the Spruce Kings after 2 seasons in the OJHL. Last season for North York, Alexander posted a 30-11-1 record with 10 shutouts, and a 1.67 GAA to go with a .947 save percentage.  He was named the OJHL Goaltender of the Year as voted on by the leagues General Managers. Spruce Kings GM Mike Hawes: “We are excited to add a proven veteran goalie like Jett to our team. Over the past several seasons we have had not only great goaltending but tremendous young men fill that position for us. We will be continuing down that path with the addition of Jett. He is a great young man and teammate and is one the premier goalies in the country.” Jett will join his new teammates at Main Camp in August.

Hoekstra Signs With Grizzlies:

It was a summer full of options for Michael Hoekstra, but when there’s “one of the best Junior A franchises” in your own backyard and you have a chance to live at home and graduate with your friends, it was “really a no-brainer.” So the former South Island Royals major midget star put pen to paper this week and signed with the B.C. Hockey League’s Victoria Grizzlies. Hoekstra, who’ll turn 17 next week, was selected by the Prince George Cougars in the 2017 Western Hockey League bantam draft, but it’s college hockey and an NCAA scholarship that are in his sights now. “A chance to play with a great organization like the Grizzlies, who have produced NHL draft picks and NCAA players, was just too good to pass up,” said Hoekstra, who will enter Grade 12 at Spectrum Community School in September. “And then to live at home and go to a familiar school, it all just made sense that the Grizzlies was the ideal team to play for and develop my game for the next level.” The Grizzlies are getting a six-foot-two, 175-pound winger who scored 11 goals and 23 assists in 40 games in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League last season. And Hoekstra even held his own in his first taste of the junior hockey, suiting up for four regular-season and eight playoff games with the Saanich Braves of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. “Mike is a young player who we think will develop into a very good power forward in our league,” said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon, whose club opens training camp Aug. 19 at Juan de Fuca Arena. “He’s got size, skill and skates very well, and he’ll be draft eligible for the NHL next summer and we think we can help him develop toward that next step.” Hoekstra is no stranger to the Grizzlies family either. “I know [veteran] Marty [Westhaver] and his brothers and am friends with the family so that’ll make the transition a little easier,” said Hoekstra. “I think I can bring a strong two-way game to the Grizzlies and I like to play the body as well so I’m just going to focus on improving every game out and working toward getting an NCAA scholarship.” Didmon has had a busy last week. He just returned from Anaheim, California, where he oversaw a prospects camp for the the BCHL team and the results were a success. Forward Ben Biester will be coming north from the Anaheim Junior Ducks program where the 18-year-old, six-foot, 185-pound winger scored 19 goals and added 13 assists in 30 games for the Junior Ducks last season. “Ben was head and shoulders above the rest at the camp so we invited him to come up here to our camp and prove he can be a top player in our league, and we think he can,” added Didmon.

Maglio Leaves Spruce Kings For Western Hockey League:

The Prince George Spruce Kings are proud to announce that Head Coach Adam Maglio has accepted a job with the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs as an Associate Coach. Maglio has been with the Spruce Kings for four seasons, including the last two as Head Coach where he lead the Spruce Kings to back to back BCHL Finals, winning the 2019 Fred Page and Doyle Cups, guiding the Spruce Kings to the National Championship game. General Manager Mike Hawes: “I’m very happy for Adam. I’m glad that we were able to play a role in moving him along and getting him closer to his goal as a hockey coach. We are in the business of developing players and moving them on in the hockey world. We are also in the business of doing the same for our coaches. We have done some very special things as a team in the four seasons that Adam was with us, especially the last two seasons with him as our head coach. He is one of the best young progressive coaches in the game and I’m not surprised that he was sought after by many teams. We will miss him and he will be hard to replace but at the same time we are extremely excited for him and wish him nothing but the best in Spokane.” The Spruce Kings are also proud to announce that Associate Coach Alex Evin has been promoted to Head Coach effective immediately. Entering his third season with the Spruce Kings, and his fifth in the BCHL (Alberni Valley AC for two years), this will be his second Head Coaching role, after a season with Selkirk College of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League. Alex is a 5-year BCHL playing veteran, who won the Top Goaltender Award in 2007/2008, where he won the Fred Page Cup playing for the Penticton Vees. He would go on to play four years at Colgate University. GM Mike Hawes:  “With Adam moving on I am excited that we have someone within the organization like Alex that can transition into the role as our new Head Coach. Alex is also a tremendous young progressive coach who has shown me over the past two seasons that he is ready to be our Head Coach. Having that person available to us within the organization is important to me as it will allow us to continue down the same path that we are on as a team and provides us with the continuity that I feel is vitally important. Adam and Alex worked very closely and very well together and I know that Alex will take a lot of what he learned from Adam into his new role. Alex’s relationship with the players is outstanding and he has a lot of passion for our team and for the community. I am really looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to move the Spruce Kings down the path to success.”

2019-20 Penticton Vees Spotlight: Evan McIntyre

Moving across the country to play Junior hockey is never an easy task, but for Vees defender Evan McIntyre, the move was seamless. The Oakville, Ontario native came to Penticton in January at the CJHL Trade Deadline and has enjoyed his time in the South Okanagan so much, he has spent the summer here to train and workout in preparation for his first full season in the BC Hockey League. “I decided to head home for a month and rest as well as take care of my body,” stated McIntyre, “After that, I made the choice to come back to Penticton and workout and train for the season. I thought I could take advantage of the facilities here and all the great people around the organization and Penticton is one of a kind and the program here has made me feel right at home.” It has been a big effort in training for the new season and a joint one as well. McIntyre has been joined by fellow teammate Jackson Niedermayer to continuously prepare for the season ahead while being instructed by Vees assistant coach Matt Fraser. “He’s been working me hard and getting me in shape for next season,” McIntyre said about Fraser, “I know I’m going to have a big year and he’s been helping me a lot as well as Jackson Niedermayer, we’ve been pushing each other all summer and we know heading into the season we will be ready to go.” McIntyre’s journey has taken him through the renowned St. Andrew’s College located in Aurora, Ontario, where he played in 139 games, amassing 24 goals and 80 assists for 104 points in that span and made his way to the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League, getting into 23 games and picking up 2 goals and 7 points before transitioning to the Vees for the back half of the 2018/19 season. The transition has been one that McIntyre has enjoyed going through and found a spot he can relish in, “It’s been awesome so far, the community has welcomed me with open arms and I fit right in with how the play style,” mentioned McIntyre, “Even though it was only a couple of months, my time here in Penticton was amazing.” One of the biggest differences to get adjusted to transitioning from the USHL to the BCHL is the pace and McIntyre was quick to realize that, “This league is much faster,” commented the Vees rearguard, “There’s more puck movement and puck possession and you’ve got to be quick in making plays. It’s a style that we like to play and bring an uptempo pace and the boys have made that transition really easy for me.” Heading into the season as one of a possible nine returning players, McIntyre knows this Vees team will have a lot of different contributors and leadership to help them to their ultimate goal, “We’re going to have a pretty experienced team and a strong leadership group with those guys from last season,” mentioned McIntyre, “We have a lot of veteran players and guys who lead by example on the ice and I’m hoping to fit into that role.”

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