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:
BCHL Next Generation: Trail Smoke Eaters
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 Trail Smoke Eaters.
After finishing in seventh in the Interior Divison last season, the Smoke Eaters were able to surprise a few teams in the BCHL Playoffs. They upset the second-seeded Merritt Centennials in five games of the first round, then went on to force the eventual league finalist Vernon Vipers to a seventh game in Round 2. Heading into his second season behind the bench, head coach Jeff Tambellini has already put his stamp on his roster. It usually take two or three years for a coach to feel like a team is really his, but Tambellini believes he’s already accomplished that after one year. “Pretty much every player on this team is someone I’ve recruited.” said Tambellini. “I’ve built the team that I want. These guys all know the expectations I have for our group, the standards and values we have in Trail for our organization. We have big expectations. It’s going to take a lot of work because we have a lot of new bodies, but we think we have the right people and definitely the right talent level to have a really strong season.”
2019-20 commits
Philippe Lapointe (2000, F)
- Hometown: Hinsdale, Ill.
- Previous team: Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
- Commitment: University of Michigan (2020-21)
Lapointe is the son of former NHLer Martin Lapointe. Last year he put up 39 points in 60 games split between the Flying Aces and the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. He also participated in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup U18 tournament for Team USA in 2018.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He was our biggest recruit of the offseason. He’s the right guy for our program and where we’re at and what we’re trying to build. He’s an extremely high-character player. He’s very talented and we think he’s going to be a major piece for our team this year.”
Michael Colella (1999, F)
- Hometown: Turnersville, N.J.
- Previous team: Lincoln Stars (USHL)
- Commitment: Colorado College (2020-21)
The 20-year-old played on four different teams last year and produced at every stop. He had a combined 44 points in 64 games split between Lincoln, the Tri-City Storm and the Omaha Lancers of the USHL as well as the P.A.L. Junior Islanders of the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC).
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He’s a veteran guy at 20 years old and he can really score. He’s dynamic offensively, but he’s always been described as a puck hound, he’s always on the puck. He finds a way to stay in the game and make plays. He’s one of those guys that’s going to bring a lot of energy and we think he’s going to be a very dynamic scorer for us.”
Chase Dafoe (2002, F)
- Hometown: Beverley, Mass.
- Previous team: Okanagan Rockets (BCMML)
Dafoe, the son of former NHL goalie Byron Dafoe, captained his major midget team last season and finished as the Rockets’ second-leading scorer with 49 points in 39 games. The 17-year-old also has some BCHL experience, having played seven games for Trail last year as an affiliate, chipping in with two goals and an assist.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He’s one of the top ‘02s coming into the league this year. He comes into the BCHL and looks like a man. He’s got a pro frame. He’s going to be one of the most dynamic power forwards coming out of our league.”
Colby Elmer (2001, F)
- Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
- Previous team: Okanagan Rockets (BCMML)
In 39 games last year, Elmer led the Rockets in points with 57 and goals with 27. He also played three games for the Smoke Eaters as an affiliate.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He’s an explosive power forward. He has unique ability to play a power game, but with finesse around the net. He’s coming of a great major midget season and we’re looking for him to continue that level of production in Trail.”
Corey McCann (2001, D)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
- Previous team: Okanagan Rockets (BCMML)
The third from the trio of Okanagan Rockets on our list, McCann led the team in points by defencemen last season with 30 in 40 games. He also played a pair of games with Trail as an affiliate.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He’s a dynamic offensive defenceman. His vision and ability to escape stand out right away when you watch him play. We see him as a player who will challenge for offensive minutes from the first day of camp.”
Connor Sweeney (2000, F)
- Hometown: North Andover, Mass.
- Previous team: Lawrence Academy (USHS-Prep)
- Commitment: University of New Hampshire
Another player with NHL bloodlines, Sweeney is the son of longtime NHL player Bob Sweeney. Last season at Lawrence Academy, he had 23 points in 28 games.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“He’s tall, but he’s an explosive, powerful skater. He’ll be one of the most elite skaters in the league this year. We’re hoping to develop his game and really maximize his talent. He does some very dynamic things. We’re going to prepare him to play at both ends of the ice and really use his speed to his advantage this year.”
Liam Freeborn (1999, F)
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
- Previous team: Calgary Mustangs (AJHL)
Freeborn spent the last two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), most recently suiting up for Calgary where he was the team’s third-leading scorer with 53 points in 58 games.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“We were looking for a right-shot forward that had experience and he’s a guy that fits our mold. He’s a big player with a 6-foot-2 frame and he can hang on to the puck and make plays. We think his skillset is going to fit right in with us here.”
Braden Costello (2000, F)
- Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.
- Previous team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
- Commitment: University of North Dakota (2020-21)
Costello is the third player on our list coming out of the USHL. The 19-year-old spent time with Green Bay as well as the Des Moines Buccaneers, chipping in with 19 points over his two seasons in the league.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“We were looking to get a lot bigger and a lot stronger on the wing. He’s a high-profile kid who was the number-two pick in the USHL draft a couple years back. He’s another guy that we think we can really maximize his skillset and give him an opportunity to play with some really good players. We think we can take his game to a different level this season.”
Walker Erickson (2002, F)
- Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
- Previous team: Valley West Giants (BCMML)
The 17-year-old had 38 points in 38 games last year to his major midget team in scoring. He also had one assist in four games playing as an affiliate for Trail last year.
Jordan Hendry (2002, D)
- Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
- Previous team: Valley West Giants (BCMML)
Hendry tied for the team lead in points from the blueline last season with 20 in 40 games. He played in one game for the Smoke Eaters as an affiliate last season.
Jackson Murphy-Johnson (2002, D)
- Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.
- Previous team: Vancouver NE Chiefs (BCMML)
Murphy-Johnson played the last two seasons for the Chiefs, chipping in with 27 points in 78 games in his two years there.
Jaden Senkoe (2001, F)
- Hometown: Westlock, Alta.
- Previous team: Okanagan Hockey Academy Red Prep (CSSHL)
The 18-year-old led his team in scoring last year with 36 points in 36 games. Over his two seasons at the Okanagan Hockey Academy, he totaled 66 points in 72 games.
Logan Terness (2002, G)
- Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.
- Previous team: Vancouver NE Chiefs (BCMML)
Terness posted a 2.63 goals-against average in 17 games last season with the Chiefs. He was called up by Trail last year and played in four games as a 16-year-old, including one appearance in the playoffs.
Acquired via trade
Corey Clifton (1999, F)
- Hometown: Matawan, N.J.
- Previous team: Surrey Eagles
- Commitment: Quinnipiac University (2020-21)
Clifton, the brother of Boston Bruins forward Connor Clifton, put up seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 50 games for Surrey last season.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“We think he’s going to be a really dynamic player for us. He played extremely well in the two games he played against us last year, especially in Trail. He does everything on the ice really well. He makes plays, competes, gets to the net, so we think he’s really going to mix well with some of our bigger forwards. We’re expecting big things out of Corey this year.”
Gabriel Waked (1999, G)
- Hometown: St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que.
- Previous team: Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
Waked started last season playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), but ended up finishing out the year in Flin Flon, where he really shined in the playoffs, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average.
Tambellini’s scouting report:
“We were looking for depth at the goaltending position. He played extremely well in Flin Flon last year and he was their MVP in the playoffs. We’re building a team that we want to compete with the best teams in the country this year and we think he’s a great piece in net that’s going to help us win a lot of games.”
2019-20 Penticton Vees Spotlight: Ethan Martini
Ethan Martini brings plenty of experience with him as he makes his way to Penticton for his first season with the Vees. The veteran of 143 BCHL games, split between the Trail Smoke Eaters and Powell River Kings, was very happy to find out he would be heading to the Peach City in July, “I couldn’t have been more excited to be a Vee,” Martini said, “Penticton has a winning culture and is the junior hockey mecca of Western Canada so I can’t wait to get this season started.” The Trail, BC native grew up playing his minor hockey in the West Kootenays, working through the Castlegar Minor Hockey program before heading to Calgary, Alberta and joining the Edge Hockey School for two seasons, “Growing up in Castlegar, it’s a bit of a blue collar vibe there,” mentioned Martini, “It taught me a lot personally that I could carry on with my game and contribute to my blue collar style of play.” “The highest level of minor hockey in Castlegar was Tier 3 so, in order to move on in my hockey career, I knew Edge would be the best way to do that,” Martini continued, “To be your best, you have the play against the best and that went into my decision to go to Edge. They have fantastic facilities with the workout room and gym tucked right with the school in the rink, it was an awesome experience at Edge.” Martini had the chance to join his hometown team in Trail for his first season of junior hockey, playing in a total of 114 games with the Smoke Eaters, including his 16-year-old season, “Playing in front of everyone I went to school with and my family was pretty exciting,” Martini recalled, “I’m thankful for the Smoke Eaters for taking a chance on me as a 16-year-old and I’m just super grateful that they have me that opportunity and it put me in a position to be where I am today.” At the beginning of last season, Martini made the shift to the United States to play in the USHL with the Central Illinois Flying Aces, where he took part in 13 games before moving back to the BCHL and joining the Powell River Kings for the duration of the 2018/19 season, “It was a good season last year, starting in Central Illinois and moving to Powell River,” Martini explained, “I played in the USHL Showcase and a few games after that but thought it would be better to move back to the BCHL and get a bit more ice time and get back to league where I am more comfortable in.” The BCHL and USHL are known as two of the best developmental leagues in North America for junior players. As for the differences of each league, “The style of play between the two is probably the most different,” Martini said, “Down there, it seems like there is bigger ice surfaces and it’s more of a skill game while in the BCHL, the play is grinded down a bit more while the offence tends to be more on the explosive side.” Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 180 pounds, Martini brings an intimidating physical presence and has to use that to his advantage in a game that is moving at a quick pace, “As a bigger guy, I definitely have to focus on my footspeed,” Martini said, “To counter that, you have to play physical so you can’t be caught running around in your own zone. Playing a simple, physical game is how I can stop some of the smaller, speedier players in their tracks and be effective.” The defender has been working hard this offseason in preparation for his first season with the Vees, “I like working out about four times a week,” Martini mentioned, “I’ve been making sure to do a lot of running and hiking this offseason, there’s some really good spots to go back home in Trail and here in Penticton. It’s always important to get some down time too and I like to fish a lot when I’m not at the rink and go on hikes, try to keep things as relaxed as possible.” Martini got into Penticton about a week ago, having a chance to see the town and what the community has to offer, “I come from a small town so having some more options to eat and shop and seeing a few more cars on the road is nice,” Martini said, “I really like the city, it’s not too big where I’m struggling to get around but I’ve been having a blast here.” “I have a little bit of nervous energy so I need to make sure I’m not killing myself in the gym or on the ice and dialing it down and getting my cardio workouts right,” Martini continued, “But I’m definitely super excited to get things going and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
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