BCHL Coastal Conference Preview:

This is in the BC Hockey Now Newspaper:

BCHL Coastal Conference Preview

By Graham Perkins

ALBERNI VALLEY

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Powell River in Conference Finals, Finished 1st in conference

Key Losses: Mark MacMillan, Mitch MacMillan, Kevin Ross

Welcome Aboard: Jordan Grant, Byron Sorensen, Ryan Green

Organizational News: The loss of forwards Mark and Mitch MacMillan is a big blow to the Bulldogs’ offence. The duo were the club’s leading scorers last season, so newcomers such as Jordan Grant will need to be productive for Alberni to replicate its recent success.

Expectations: The club will be hard-pressed to have another 45-win campaign with so much player turnover, but expect the Dogs to still compete for top spot in the conference.

COQUITLAM

2009/10 Record: - 8th in the conference, missed playoffs

Key Losses: Rich Manley, Colby Kulanek, Jimmy Geerin

Welcome Aboard: Riley McIntosh, Jason Grecica, Jesse Halikas

Organizational News: The Express are back in Coquitlam and looking for a fresh start. A new building and coaching staff should give the team some stability. Veteran defenceman Riley McIntosh will help a blueline that had the worst goals against in the conference, last season.

Expectations: The team is still rebuilding, but will need to at least make the playoffs to appease the fan base.

NANAIMO

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Alberni Valley in Conference Semi-Finals, 6th in conference

Key Losses: Luc Oliver Blain, Cody Bremner, Joe Perry

Welcome Aboard: Yannick LaFlamme, Dustin Beairsto, Brandon Rommens, Marc Oliver Guertin

Organizational News: The Clippers surprised a lot of people last season when the upset Victoria in the first round of the playoffs. They signed five forwards in late July and have handed the captaincy over to forward Colton Cyr, who has spent the past two seasons with the club.

Expectations: Nanaimo had an atrocious home record last year, winning only 10 of 30 games. If they can turn that around they have the tools to finish in the top half.

POWELL RIVER

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Vernon in Finals, 2nd in conference

Key Losses: Ben Schmidt, Reid Campbell, Mat Bodie, Jordan Grant

Welcome Aboard: Braden Pears

Organizational News: The Kings had a long off-season after losing to Vernon by one goal in game seven of the Fred Page Cup last year. The team welcomes new assistant coach Geoff Grimwood and a trainer Brendon Kerr. Head coach and GM Kent Lewis will have a large portion of last season’s roster back.

Expectations: Powell River is the team to beat in the Coastal Conference after bagging their second conference title in the Spring. Three of the club’s top four scorers will be back, which is scary news for the rest of the league.

COWICHAN VALLEY

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Powell River in Conference Quarter Finals, 7th in conference

Key Losses: Nick Anderson, Ryan Green, Taylor Paziuk

Welcome Aboard: Jordan Grant, Darrin Robak, Greg Ferguson

Organizational News: The Capitals enter the 2010/11 campaign with a re-tooled roster and plenty to prove. Jordan Grant was the second leading scorer on Powell River last season, so he should help an offence that only managed three goals per game.

Expectations: The club shouldn’t have as much trouble putting the puck in the net as they did last season, but they’re going to need some luck to finish in the top half of the conference.

LANGLEY

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Powell River in Conference Semi-Finals, 4th in conference

Key Losses: Mark Friesen, Colton Beck, Mac Roy

Organizational News: The Chiefs lost top scorer Colton Beck to Alaska-Fairbanks for this season, so they’ll be leaning heavily on players such as Brandon Thompson and Trevor Gerling to pick up the slack. Netminder Wyatt Galley will enter the season as starter, replacing the departed Mark Friesen.

Expectations: Langley is fortunate to have a good crop of returning players to help offset their losses, so they should remain in the middle of the conference pack.

SURREY

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Langley Chiefs in Conference Quarter-Finals, 5th in conference

Key Losses: Andrew Wallace, Grant Toulmin, Adam Basford

Welcome Aboard: Jeff Vanderlugt, Matt Mazzarolo, Mitchell Jones

Organizational News: A first-round playoff exit to Langley didn’t sit well with head coach Matt Erhart, so the club added some size and skill in the off-season to alleviate the loss of point-per-game forward Andrew Wallace.

Expectations: On paper, Surrey looks like a tougher team to play against this season. Expect them to finish in the top half of the standings.

VICTORIA

2009/10 Record: - Lost to Nanaimo in Conference Quarter-Finals, 3rd in conference

Key Losses: Alex Allan, Jordan Heywood, Dustin Mowrey

Welcome Aboard: Ryan Stanimir, David Morely, Pearce Eviston, Evan Richardson

Organizational News: A stunning first round exit at the hands of Nanaimo in the playoffs prompted management to shake up the Grizzlies lineup. The addition of defence-minded assistant coach Brad Cook should pay dividends.

Expectations: The Grizzlies lost three of their top four scorers over the summer, but strong defensive play should keep them near the top of the conference.