BCHL News & Trades:

Here's a look around the league on what some of the other teams have been up to this off season regarding trades, player announcements and other team news.

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

BCHL News & Trades:

Borek Commits To Clippers:

The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that Charley Borek has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 19 year old forward joins the Clippers after spending the past two seasons playing for Choate Rosemary Hall School in Wallingford Connecticut. During the 2014-2015 season the 6’0” 200lb Durham New Hampshire native tallied 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 22 games played.

Bulldogs Name Evin New Assistant-Goalie Coach:

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very proud to announce Alex Evin is being added to the coaching staff as a fulltime assistant coach and goalie coach. Evin spent the last two seasons as the Bulldogs’ part-time goalie coach while coaching the Selkirk College Saints in the BCIHL as a head coach in 2014/15 and an assistant coach the previous seasons. Evin won three consecutive BCIHL championships with Selkirk College. Evin grew up in Castlegar, BC and played his entire minor hockey there before moving up to the BCHL. In five seasons, Evin spent time with Powell River, Williams Lake, and Penticton, where he led the team to a Fred Page Cup Championship in 2008. Over his BCHL career, he appeared in 221 games (including playoffs) and earned a full ride NCAA Division 1 scholarship to Colgate University. Selected by the Calgary Hitmen 66th overall in the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft, Evin decided to pursue an NCAA scholarship. In 2003-04 he was named to the BCHL All Rookie Team and was awarded the Powell River Kings Academic Achievement Award. After three seasons with the Kings, Evin was traded to the Williams Lake Timberwolves in 2006-07 where he started 54 of the teams 60 games and was awarded team MVP. He went on to play his final junior hockey season with the Penticton Vees in 2007-08 where he set career highs in all statistical categories. That season he was awarded the Wally Forslund Memorial Trophy (with goalie partner Bryan Mountain), BCHL Top Goaltender, Team MVP, Finalist for League MVP, all in a championship season. Evin attended Colgate University from 2008-2012, graduating with a degree in English. "I am very excited to join the Bulldogs full time,” said newest Bulldogs assistant coach Alex Evin. “As a player, and now as a coach, I have a lot of respect for the hockey program,” added Evin. “The community support is tremendous and I am excited to help the team contend for a championship." “We are very excited to have Alex join the Bulldogs on a fulltime basis,” said Bulldogs head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “All his previous experiences along with being able to accelerate our goalies’ development will continue to be a great asset for our program,” concluded Willison. The Alberni Valley Bulldogs continue to be a leader in the BCHL, being the first to use technology that benefits our players. And now, we are proud to have a full-time goalie coach on staff, one that will also serve as an assistant coach and continue to help us develop our talent and move players on to the next level. Welcome to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs family, Alex.

Centennials Name Martin New Head Coach-GM:

The Merritt Centennials Board of Directors are very pleased to announce the new Head Coach and General Manger of the BCHL Merritt Centennials is former Assistant Coach, Joe Martin. Neil Menard, President of the Merritt Centennials released this statement Friday: “On behalf of the entire organization, we would like to officially congratulate former Assistant Coach Joe Martin as the new Head Coach and General Manager of the BCHL Merritt Centennials. We feel confident that Joe is, without a doubt, the right fit for the job, and we are really looking forward to having him head up the team. Joe has been a loyal employee of the Centennials for the last 4 years, and his familiarity with the team, extraordinary talent and coaching ability, combined with his unwavering dedication to the entire organization and community, made moving him in to this position an obvious decision on our part.” Martin had this statement: “I feel very fortunate to be hired in this role, the Centennials are a nation-wide recognized BCHL franchise and I'm lucky to be named the new Head Coach/GM. It’s a position I feel ready for and look forward to the new challenges that will be presented to me. I owe a lot to Luke Pierce and the four year's we spent together, under Luke's direction the Centennials established a great reputation and have always performed well, I've learned a lot and hope to continue that trend. I'd like to thank the Merritt Centennials Board of Directors for their vote of confidence in me, and especially thank Brian Barret and Luke Pierce for the guidance over the four year period I spent here as an Assistant Coach. It's a busy time of year with the BCHL AGM, the Centennials AGM, and a prospects camp in two weeks in Abbotsford, but I've been fully immersed in the job for four years now and look to continue the great reputation the Centennials have.” In a statement released by outgoing Head Coach Luke Pierce, Pierce had this to say about Martin’s promotion: “There has never been a doubt in my mind that Joe would be the next Head Coach of this franchise. He is an outstanding Coach and a great person. He has been an equal part in our success over the past 4 years and is more than prepared to take this step. I will miss working with him, but will be excited to see him take this team to another level and I know the players, fans and community are in great hands with him at the helm.” Joe Martin has been the Assistant Coach for the Merritt Centennials for the last four years, and has done exceptional things for the club both on and off the ice. Prior to that, Martin had been the Head Coach and General Manager of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Creston Valley Thundercats for four years. Coach Martin guided the team to one regular season division title, two first-round playoff series wins, and helped graduate numerous players onto Junior "A" and college hockey while producing a regular season record of 112-68-3-2. He was also named Eddie Mountain Division Coach of the Year for 2010-11 and coach the 2008 KIJHL Top Prospects team.

Smoke Eaters Sign Marshall:

The Trail Smoke Eaters Organization would like to announce the signing of Linden Marshall (98) from Victoria. Marshall a 6’3” athletic goaltender played last season for the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy Prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (csshl.ca). Marshall played in 21 games last season averaging 40 shots on goal per game. Marshall finished the season with a .904 save percentage and a 4.42 goals against average.

Langley Rivermen Name Astle New Associate Head Coach & Assistant General Manager:

The Langley Rivermen have promoted Kurt Astle, who will become the team’s new Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager. For the past three seasons, Astle has been the Rivermen’s Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personnel. “I’m excited to move up in the organization,” said Astle. “This is one of best junior hockey programs in the country and I’m happy to be a part of it and help continue its success.” As a former offensive player, Astle works heavily with the Rivermen forwards and powerplay unit. He was a part of the coaching staff that guided the team to the best regular season record in 2013-14 season, winning the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy. “Kurt is an integral part of the Rivermen organization and we know he’ll have a lot to offer in his new role,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bobby Henderson. “He has a good relationship with the players and knows how to bring the best out in each and every one of them.”

Finner Commits To Nanaimo:

The Nanaimo Clippers are very pleased to announce that Lucas Finner has committed to play for the Team for the 2015-2016 season. The 18 year old forward joins the Clippers from the Chicago Mission U18 Team in Chicago Illinois. During the 2014-2015 season the 5’10” 160lb Elmhurst Illinois native tallied 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 25 games played. Lucas is also committed to the NCAA Division 1 Ferris State University in the WCHA. Lucas has ties to Nanaimo and the Clippers as his Uncle Dwain Finner is a former Clipper and currently resides in Nanaimo.

Protopolous Commits To Kings:

The Powell River Kings are thrilled to announce the commitment of 1996-born winger Chris Protopolous for the 2015/2016 season. From Verdun, Quebec, the 19-year-old Protopolous is a speedy and skilled winger. “Speed is one of the biggest aspects of my game” says Protopolous. “I use it to my advantage, but I also play gritty. My coaches also tell me to shoot lots, I have a good shot.” For the past two seasons, Protopolous (pronounced Pro-top-olous) has played with the Dawson College Blues in the QCHL. Protopolous was better than a point per game in his 2nd and final year (41 in 35), totaling 35 goals and 24 assists in 68 games for the Blues during his time there. “I was very fortunate to be chosen for them in my first year (2013/14), and two years with the Blues really helped me develop my game and become one of the better players in that league” says Protopolous. “I’m coming out to BC to play junior to continue that development and hopefully attract attention from D1 scouts. A lot of people say that the BCHL is the best Junior A league in Canada, and I’ve been doing research on Powell River and it looks like a beautiful place with the ocean right there and a great place to play hockey.” “An NCAA coach first bough Chris to our attention, and from there on out we’ve maintained a good dialogue with him. Chris flies around the ice, he’s very very quick and that’s going to be invaluable to establishing a good forecheck and backcheck, playing a 200-foot game.” says Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis. “He’s offensively gifted and will slot nicely into our top 6. To find a player like Chris to help replace what we’re losing this off-season up front is a big positive for our club.” The 5’9, 190lb Protopolous will spend the summer in his home province of Quebec, readying himself for a jump to Junior in September. “I need to work on being ready for that longer season, more games. I’ll be working on my conditioning, and of course wanting to get stronger and faster” says Protopolous. The Kings held their annual Spring Camp over the weekend in Kamloops, watching over prospective Junior A players. Around 30-40 players (including recruits and eligible returnees) are expected in Powell River for Main Camp, beginning in late August.

Penticton-Olds Trade:

The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club have landed an offensive threat from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The Vees have acquired forward, Chris Gerrie (96), from the Olds Grizzlys in exchange for defenseman, Jarod Hilderman (97). Gerrie, who turned 19 in May, spent the past two seasons in the AJHL and led the Grizzlys in scoring this past season with 25 goals and 61 points in 59 regular season games; those 61 points were sixth-best in the AJHL. The Red Deer, Alberta, native had a breakout rookie campaign two years ago as he was The AJHL’s Rookie of the Year in 2013-2014 after scoring 18 goals and compiling 54 points in 60 games. Gerrie also garnered national recognition as he was named the CJHL Co-Rookie of the Year. Gerrie is another significant addition upfront for the Vees for next fall. He is committed to play collegiate hockey at Michigan Tech University after his junior career wraps up. Gerrie joins new teammates Demico Hannoun and Mitch Newsome as future Michigan Tech Huskies. Hilderman, 18, played two seasons in Vees blue after coming to the team from Notre Dame College in Saskatchewan. Hilderman broke into the BCHL as a 16-year-old two seasons ago, collecting eight points in 45 regular season games while patrolling the blue-line; he had another three points in 11 playoff games. This season, the Minnesota-Duluth commitment had six assists in 49 regular season games. In the post-season, he scored once and finished with seven points in 32 playoff games, helping the Vees capture the Fred Page Cup and Western Canada Cup. Hilderman also played on Team West at the CJHL Top Prospects game in January. The Vees organization would like to thank Jarod for his two years with the team and wish him all the best in his future with the Grizzlys. The team would also like to welcome Chris to Penticton and the South Okanagan.

Salmon Arm Names Carter New Head Scout-Assistant General Manager:

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are proud to announce the hiring of Craig Carter of Langley, BC as the new Head Scout & Asst General Manager. Craig brings a wealth of junior hockey knowledge to our program and a BCHL Championship with Coquitlam Express of the BCHL in 2014. He has over 12 years of scouting in the BCHL so will be a great addition to the Backs. Most recently he was with the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL in 2014-2015. "Craig will be a great asset for our program" stated General Manager Troy Mick. I have known Craig for a number of years and love his passion and his ability to recruit top end talent. He has a lot of connections in the junior hockey circles and will help us bring top end talent to Salmon Arm. "Craigs knowledge of players' and his ability to find that diamond in the rough make him a tremendous addition to our Silverbacks family" says Silverbacks Head Coach Brandon West. "I would like to thank the Silverbacks Ownership Group as well as Troy, Brandon and Misko for allowing me to return to my roots in the BCHL and I can't wait to be apart of the winning tradition in Salmon Arm"

Spruce Kings Name Maglio New Associate Coach:

The Prince George Spruce Kings are very excited to announce the hiring of Adam Maglio as the team’s new Associate Coach. The 28 year old Maglio joins the Spruce Kings after having spent last season as the assistant coach for The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds Men’s Hockey Program that plays in The Canada West Conference of The Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). Originally from Nelson, B.C., Adam played four seasons in the KIJHL from 2003 - 2007 for The Nelson Leafs and The Castlegar Rebels . From 2007 - 2009 he played NCAA hockey at Morrisville State College in New York. He then transferred to UBC where he played for the men’s varsity team in the CIS from 2009 – 2012 before becoming the team’s assistant coach last season. “I’m excited to add another young, energetic and knowledgeable coach to our staff. Adam is very motivated and passionate and will compliment Chad and Jason very well. I was very impressed with Adam in the discussions I had with him leading up to offering him the position within our organization. His understanding of what is required from a coach in today’s game, to make our athletes successful, was excellent” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes. "I am excited to be joining the Prince George Spruce Kings Organization. This is a great opportunity for myself to work with a respected and dedicated staff within a franchise that is trending in the right direction. I look forward to further building and delivering a commitment to a winning culture that provides our team with the best opportunity to develop and grow” said Spruce Kings new Associate Coach Adam Maglio.

Regush & Wickman Sign With Centennials:

The Merritt Centennials announced the signing of 16-year-old forward Michael Regush and 16-year-old defenseman Tyler Wickman. Both players spent 2014-15 in the Canadian Sport Schools Hockey League. Regush, who's from Surrey, BC, had 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 28 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Prep team. He got into three games with Langley as an affiliate player, but didn't get on the scoreboard. Wickman, from Abbotsford, BC, went pointless in six games with the Centennials as an AP. He did have 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in 27 games with the Yale Hockey Academy Prep team.

Coquitlam-Lloydminster Trade:

The Coquitlam Express completed future considerations from a trade back on November 17th. That day, the Express picked up 19-year-old goaltender Chris Tai from the AJHL's Lloydminster Bobcats for futures. On Monday, it became known that those futures were that Tai return to the Bobcats, so essentially, the Delta, BC native was traded for himself. In 36 games with Coquitlam in 2014-15, Tai had a 19-14-1 record along with a 3.70 goals-against-average and an .899 save percentage. He's a veteran of two WHL seasons as a back-up.