Friday, June 19, 2020

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:

Stift Commits To Coquitlam:

The Coquitlam Express has added forward Thomas Stift to its roster for 2020-21. The 17-year-old from Los Angeles had 25 goals and 30 assists in 58 games with the Anaheim U18 Jr. Ducks in 2019-20. Stift also played 13 games with Luthern High school, where he put up 13 goals and 21 assists in 13 games.

Powell River-Prince George Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings are excited to announce the acquisition of forward (’01) Rowan Miller from the Powell River Kings as the future considerations portion of the Brett Pfoh trade last season. “We are excited to add Rowan to our program. Rowan is a skilled forward who competes very hard in both ends of the ice,” says GM Mike Hawes. Miller, 18, finished the 2019-20 campaign with 8 goals and 7 assists in 47 games played. The 5’11 forward from Scottsdale, AZ is entering his third BCHL season. “He is a great young man as well who checks the boxes of the type of person we like to add to our organization,” added Hawes. The Spruce Kings would like to welcome Rowan and his family to the organization and to the BC Northern Capital.

Nanaimo-Merritt Trade:

The Merritt Centennials continue to complete trades from the January deadline, but in this case they’ve made an additional move. The Centennials received forward Tyler Schleppe (01) from the Coquitlam Express as future considerations of the deal that saw defender Joey Berkopec (99) depart from the Cents. In addition, the Cents have traded Schleppe to the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for forward Brandon Dent (01) and forward Zack Dallazana (00). Dent, a 5’7, 150 pound, left shot, skilled forward will be entering his 3rd BCHL season after having spent time with the West Kelowna Warriors and the Nanaimo Clippers over the last two seasons. This last season, Dent was able to put up 11 goals and 10 assists in 28 games with the Warriors before joining the Clippers where he played a reduced role. In Nanaimo, he was able to put up 2 goals and 3 assists over 21 games. The Prince George native does have a scoring touch as evidenced by his time with his home town Cariboo Cougars in 2017-18, where he put up 24 goals and 59 points in 40 games in Major Midget. Dallazana brings some sandpaper and leadership to the group. the 6’1, 187 pound forward from Port Moody, BC has played two full seasons in Nanaimo. With the Clippers last season he scored a goal and added 6 helpers through 46 games, and in 2018-19 had 2 assists over 48 games. Head Coach and GM Derek Sweet Coulter says the move gives the Cents two different styles to the line up. “Brandon is a highly skilled, speedy play maker and goal scorer who will provide offence for us next season. He competes hard and can play with a physical edge as well. Zack is a great person who has a tremendous amount of experience and will provide a veteran presence in the room with leadership capability. He plays a hard physical game and competes for the middle of the ice. We are extremely excited to add both players.” The Cents would like to welcome Brandon, Zack and their families to the organization and the Nicola Valley. The Centennials would like to welcome Walker and the Erickson Family to the organization and the Nicola Valley.

Top 10 Powell River Kings Goals of 2019-20

With three 20-goal scorers on the roster, including Levi Glasman and his wicked wrist shot, trips to Hap Parker Arena were always a challenge for the opposition.


Warriors Make Roster Moves:

The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club are excited to reveal their future consideration acquisitions which include Zach Brooks, Adam Trotman and Zach Bennett. During the trade deadline day, the Warriors made numerous deals that had “future considerations” designations attached. On January 10th, the Warriors sent blue liner Austin Chorney to the Cowichan Valley Capitals in exchange for Maxime Dumas and future considerations. The future consideration player is 6’2 power forward Zach Brooks.  Brooks, 18, comes to the Warriors after spending this season and last season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The Bromont, Quebec native recorded 13 goals and 17 assists in 60 games played with the Capitals. “We look forward to adding Zach to our roster”, stated Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “Zach brings much needed size and speed to our lineup alongside having a great skill set”. “I’m excited to join the Warriors and the Community of West Kelowna”, said Brooks. “Playing in West Kelowna last season was memorable. They have a great venue and the fans have a great connection with the team”. On November 28th, the Warriors dealt forward Brandon Dent to the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for future considerations which is now revealed as goaltender Zach Bennett.  Bennett, 19, comes to the Warriors after spending time with the Clippers last season. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native played 17 games last season with the Clippers registering a .927 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average. “We’re excited to have Zach between the pipes”, stated Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “Zach brings experience and has been a top goalie everywhere he has played. We feel with Derrick and Bennett we have the potential to have the best goalie duo in the league’. Bennett was delighted with the news of being dealt to the Warriors. “I’m very excited to join the Warriors. I think this is a great opportunity for me heading into my final year of junior hockey. West Kelowna looks like a beautiful place to live. I look forward to exploring the city in my spare time.” Finally, the Warriors completed their trade with the Coquitlam Express. Back on January 9th, the Warriors sent blue liner Wyatt Head to the Express in exchange for defender Addison Macey and future considerations. The player revealed is Adam Trotman. 6’1, 201 pound forward registered 16 goals and 30 assists in 62 games played with the Express last season. The Concord, Ontario native has recently been accepted to Queen’s University(U Sports) where he will be studying engineering and commerce. The Warriors remain open to Adam as his Junior hockey option. “Adam is a game changer that every team is looking for as he does the little things that will help us win”, said Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “Adam is currently enrolled in an excellent school and we are exploring any options that may allow Adam to work online while starting his school Journey in West Kelowna”. “This is a strong, veteran trio. They are high-character individuals who will certainly bring leadership and compete to the group”, stated Warriors President Chris Laurie “We are pleased with how our roster is shaping up. There’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes by ownership, staff, and players.” The Warriors have more announcements this week including the latest community fundraiser and a new season ticket promotion. Stay tuned on the Warriors social media outlets and website for more information. 

Prince George-Merritt Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings have acquired forward Christian Buono (’00) from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for future considerations. “Christian is a veteran BCHL player who will provide leadership and will be relied on as a big offensive piece of our team,” says GM Mike Hawes. Buono, 19 , finished the 2019-20 campaign with 11 goals and 27 assists in 58 games played. Buono has 75 career points in the BCHL and has also played 128 BCHL games. The 5’11 forward from Burnaby is entering his final year of junior hockey. “It is exciting when you can add a player like Christian to the group,” added Hawes. The Spruce Kings would like to welcome Christian and his family to the organization and to the BC Northern Capital.

Penticton-Cowichan Trade:

The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Tuesday the team has acquired forward Luc Wilson (’01) from the Cowichan Valley Capitals in exchange for forward Jack Barnes (’00) and future considerations. Wilson, 18, enjoyed a breakout season with Capitals in the 2019/20 campaign, amassing 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points in 55 games. The 5’10”, 175-pound forward led Cowichan Valley in points, and sat 17th amongst point getters in the BCHL, while ranking 2nd on the team in goals and assists and tied for the team lead in power play goals with 9. The Duncan, BC native is a veteran of 110 career regular season BCHL games, scoring 29 goals and 47 assists for 76 points while contributing 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 13 career playoff games. Wilson has secured his collegiate future as he is committed to Minnesota State-Mankato for the 2021/22 season. Barnes, 20, played three seasons with the Vees, amassing a total of 156 career regular season games with the club where he registered 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points. The Penticton, BC product also suited up for 17 playoff games with the Vees, scoring 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points. “I believe this is a positive hockey trade for both teams and both players,” said Vees President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, “Jack has been a great solider that brought an honest effort to the rink day in and day out. Unfortunately, with the number of 20-year old players we have, we are forced to make difficult decisions. He will be given a larger offensive role in Cowichan for his final season in the BCHL.” “At the same time,” Harbinson continued, “We receive the opportunity to add Luc, who has the ability to replace some of the scoring that graduated from our lineup.” The Vees would like to welcome Luc and his family to the organization and the South Okanagan and would like to thank Jack for his time with the team and his contributions to the club as well as the City of Penticton.

Salmon Arm-Notre Dame Trade:

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are excited to announce the acquisition of 20-year-old goaltender Riley Kohonick from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Notre Dame Hounds, in exchange for future considerations. The White City, Sask. native posted a .914 save percentage in 72 career games with the Hounds the past two seasons, including a stellar .920 mark in 38 games over the course of the 2019-20 season, which was tied for the second-best mark in the SJHL amongst goalies that played 30 or more games. Kohonick was named the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division Goaltender of the Year for his standout season, as well as team MVP for the Hounds. “Going into the off-season, it was our number one priority to find a starting goaltender for next season,” Silverbacks general manager Brooks Christensen said. “After moving both Ethan Langenegger and Grant Adams onto the NCAA, we wanted to make sure we had the right piece. With Riley’s junior experience, we are confident he can step in and be an impact player for us next season.” In the 2017-18 season, Kohonick was also part of the Telus Cup champion midget AAA Notre Dame Hounds, suiting up alongside current Silverback Coalson Wolford and former Silverback Luke Mylymok. That season, the right-catching netminder won the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League Top Goaltender award after compiling a 20-3 record, .930 save percentage, 1.37 goals-against-average and six shutouts. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks would like to welcome Riley to the Shuswap.

West Kelowna Warriors: Graduating Players And Eligible Returnees:

The West Kelowna Warriors, despite finishing second to last in the BCHL this past season, have one of the most intriguing cores eligible to return in 2020-21. The Warriors have only two players from the 2019-20 roster moving on to college in defenseman Jake Harrison (University of Nebraska-Omaha) and forward Levi Stauber (Michigan Tech). Among the 19 players eligible to come back are those who were the youngest on West Kelowna’s roster in 2019-20, leading scorers John Evans and Tyler Cristall. The 18-year-olds had 50 and 41 points, respectively. Evans is committed to the University of New Hampshire and Cristall is off to St. Lawrence University, both in September 2021. Carter Wilkie should improve on his 33 points and Elan Bar-Lev-Wise thrived after being acquired at the deadline from Vernon by putting up ten points in 16 games. On the blueline, Nicolas Ardanaz was one of the top rookie defenders in 2019-20 and his 32 points were fourth overall on the Warriors. He is one of six defensemen who can return, including three 20-year-olds in Ryan Novecosky, Addison Macey, and Maxime Dumas, who didn’t report after being acquired from Cowichan Valley at the deadline. Both goaltenders are eligible to return to the Warriors with Johnny Derrick the incumbent number one after playing 38 games last season. He finished with a 10-17-0 record along with a 3.30 goals-against-average, a .904 save percentage, and two shutouts. Riley Morgan, who’s going into his final year of junior hockey, was brought in at the trade deadline to stabilize things behind Derrick. The depth chart below is based on coaches going with a 23-man roster of 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. All college commitment years are collated from each player’s profile on the Warriors roster on the BCHL website.

Graduating Players

Jake Harrison (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
Levi Stauber (Michigan Tech University)

Eligible Returnees

(* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 13 forwards and eight defencemen)

Forwards

Carter Wilkie (00)
Brendan Pigeon (01)
Holden Kodak (01)
Ryan Upson (01)
Colby Elmer (01)
Drew Vieten (01)
Deegan Mofford (01)
Jacob Brockman (01)
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise (01)
John Evans (02)
Tyler Cristall (02)
*
*

Defensemen

Ryan Novecosky (00)
Maxime Dumas (00)
Addison Macey (00)
Corey McCann (01)
Skyler Cameron (02)
Nicolas Ardanaz (02)
*
*

Goaltenders

Riley Morgan (00)
Johnny Derrick (01)

Merritt-Alberni Valley Trade:

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired 19-year old forward Josh Van Unen & future considerations from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for 20-year old Grayson Valente. Van Unen, just celebrated his 19th birthday on May 31st comes to the Bulldogs after appearing in 40 games in his rookie year with the Centennials last season. Van Unen scored one goal and added 12 assists in 2019-2020. From 2017-2019, Van Unen suited up for the Shawnigan Lake Midget Prep team, where he posted 98 points in just 63 games played. Joe Martin commented on the addition of Van Unen. “We’re excited to add Josh to the Bulldogs. He’s a smart, offensive and gritty player who is versatile in every forward position.” As for Van Unen, he couldn’t be more excited to join the Bulldogs saying, “I’m excited to join an amazing organization with great potential. I’m also really excited to be a part of the Alberni Valley community.” The Bulldogs would like to thank Grayson for his time as a Bulldog and wish him luck as he moves on to the next chapter of his career with the Centennials.

Alberni Valley-Spruce Grove Trade:

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announced Wednesday that they have acquired the CJHL playing rights to defenceman Loeden Schaufler (00) from the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL. In exchange for Schaufler, the Bulldogs sent Bryce Anderson who they acquired for future considerations from the Victoria Grizzlies earlier. Schaufler spent 39 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL & 16 games with the Saints during the 2019-2020 season. The 6’1″, 196 pound Schaufler is from DeWinton Alberta.

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