BCHL News & Trades:
Merritt-Whitecourt Trade:
The Merritt Centennials announced Friday that 20-year-old forward Mitch Lipon has been traded to the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for the CJHL playing rights of 20-year-old forward Frederic Letourneau and future considerations. “We wish Mitch the very best of luck with the Wolverines,” said Merritt GM and Head Coach Joe Martin. “We sincerely thank him for his dedication and commitment while wearing a Centennials jersey last season.” Letourneau is from Boucherville, Quebec, and committed
to Bowling Green State University for this September. He had 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 56 games with Whitecourt in 2015-16. Lipon played 54 regular season games with Merritt last year, posting 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) and 45 penalty minutes. The Regina native was acquired by the Cents on September 12, 2015 from the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for defenseman Matt Foley and future considerations. He is a veteran of 71 WHL games with Kamloops, Saskatoon, and Spokane.
Vees TV:
The Penticton Vees are getting ready for the upcoming 2016-17 season. For the second week of Vees' View with Coach Harbinson, Vees director of broadcasting, media and community events Fraser Rodgers spoke to the team's new captain Nicholas Jones about preparations for the coming season. Jones said the longer-than-hoped summer has been an opportunity to get to training early after last season was cut short. "It was a lot longer than we wanted, but we had a nice chance to regroup, get a little stronger," Jones said. He told Rodgers he hoped he could fill the shoes created by the team's captains of seasons past. "It's a huge honour, there's been some great captains, here," he said. "Even going back to last year with Tyson [Jost]."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i00Cy60WFSc
Eagles Make Two Trades:
The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has announced the acquisitions of defencemen Andrew Cordssen-David and Nick Minerva in a pair of trades that took place on the eve of training camp. Both moves were in exchange for future considerations. Cordssen-David, 19, split last season between Kirkland Lake of the NOJHL and Acadie-Bathurst of the QMJHL. The Montreal native posted 6 points in 34 QMJHL games, but his numbers in the NOJHL were even more impressive. He racked up 11 points in only 7 regular season games with Kirkland Lake, including 4 more in 10 playoff games. He is a veteran of 46 total QMJHL games, and is a graduate of the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s hockey program. Minerva, 20, comes to the Eagles through a trade for his rights from the Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL. He spent last season playing in the SIJHL for the Fort Frances Lakers. His numbers were jaw-dropping, amassing a total of 73 points in only 52 games – 21 of them were goals. His incredible offensive season, finishing second in SIJHL scoring among skaters, led to him receiving the honour of league’s top defenceman. Head coach and general manager Blaine Neufeld stressed the importance adding offence from the back end, something which was lacking last season, but also the experience that these two players bring. “Both of these players, their talent and skill level has been proven throughout their junior careers,” Neufeld explained. “It’s really the experience that we need to add to the group. They have a different attitude toward winning, and that’s what we hope they add to our culture.” This is the second trade that the Eagles have made with the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the NOJHL. Goaltender Marc Audet, who was acquired earlier in the summer from the same team, will be reunited with Cordssen-David. They also played together with the Acadie-Bathurst Titans. This late flurry of activity should put the finishing touches on an almost completely re-worked defensive core for the Eagles. Only three defencemen that appeared in games for the team last season are in attendance at training camp – Matthew Brown, Spencer Berry, and Tyler Cooper. New assistant coach Riley Sweeney will have plenty of defensive talent to choose from, after the acquisition of Cordssen-David and Minerva – as well as the earlier recruitments of Hunter Donohoe, Elijah Vilio, Jackson Ross, and Jacob Dupont. Competition for the likely seven defence spots on the team will be at an all-time high, according to Neufeld. “As we move through camp, we’re realizing that we will have to make some difficult decisions. We now have an excess of talent, which makes us feel really good about our depth. It now feels like our D core has been solidified, so the battle at camp should be the highest that we’ve seen in a long time.” Eagles training camp runs through August 27th – concluding with a scrimmage on Saturday at 6:30 PM at South Surrey Arena. Admission is free of charge, and fans are encouraged to come and check out the new roster. The Eagles will also be hosting one pre-season matchup, which takes place on Saturday, September 3rd at 7 PM against the Langley Rivermen. Admission for that game is also free.
Victoria-Battleford Trade:
The Victoria Grizzlies have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Nathan Looysen(96)(F) from the Battleford North Stars of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations.
Powell River-Kindersley Trade:
The Powell River Kings have transferred the CJHL playing rights to Chris Protopolous(96)(F) to the Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations.
Trail-Notre Dame Trade:
The Trail Smoke Eaters have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Cole Williams(97)(D) from the Notre Dame Hounds of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations.
Silverbacks TV:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks opened their 2016-17 main camp on Monday and in two short days the coaching and recruiting staff are pleased with what they’re seeing. The team opted for a smaller camp going with just two teams and will be quickly getting the numbers down for the exhibition season. Watch as Head Coach Brandon West talks about the camp and what team he hopes to ice for the coming season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClPbVinNS4Y
West Kelowna Warriors Royal Bank Cup Ring
Capitals Name Davies New Broadcaster:
The Cowichan Capitals have named Colton Davies their new play by play broadcaster for the 2016-17 season.
Bulldogs Sign Nelson, Wilhelm & Kaufmann:
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are please to announce the signings of Braydon Nelson, Kyle Kaufmann, and Jake Wilhelm for the 2016-17 season. Nelson, a 5’9, 160lb, forward from Duncan, BC is coming off an excellent campaign with the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy where he scored 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists) in 35 games. Nelson was an affiliate player during the 2015-16 season and played 4 games for the Bulldogs. Kaufmann, a 6’1, 175lb, forward from West Vancouver, BC played last season for the North Vancouver Giants of the British Columbia Major Midget League where he scored 41 points (12 goals and 29 assists) in 37 games. Kaufmann was also an affiliate player during the 2015-16 season and scored 1 goal in 7 games with the Bulldogs. Wilhelm, a 5’10, 165lb, defenseman from Victoria, BC was the captain last season for the South Island Royals of the BCMML where he scored 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games. Wilhelm was another affiliate player during the 2015-16 and played 2 games for the Bulldogs. “We are very excited to welcome Braydon, Kyle, and Jake to our family,” says Head Coach & GM Kevin Willison. “All of these players were with us at some point last season and gained valuable experience as affiliate players. We are very excited to work with this group over the next few seasons and help them grow into elite players.”
Vees Unveiling Ring Of Honour To SOEC:
The Penticton Vees are proud to welcome the best of the west in Jr. ‘A’ hockey to Penticton during the spring of 2017. The champions of the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL and MJHL will gather in Penticton from April 29th to May 7th, 2017, in a celebration of hockey, and the legacy of junior hockey in Penticton. As part of our winning bid, the Vees are proud to launch the “Ring of Honour” inside the South Okanagan Events Centre. A rendering on how the Ring of Honour will be displayed at the SOEC The “Ring of Honour” will encompass the upper level of the inner bowl, and will honour past Penticton players and builders for their contributions to hockey in not only Penticton, but beyond. There will be plenty of room of room left to continue adding future players and builders in the years to come. The “Ring of Honour” will be launched at the beginning of the 2016-17 season with members who are currently honoured inside Memorial Arena. Our goal during the Western Canada Cup would be to unveil the next phase of the “Ring of Honour,” with a few new additions. It promises to make for an exciting week. The unveiling of the new honourees would take place on Thursday, May 4th, before the Penticton Vees game that evening. On Friday, May 5th, the Vees will host the tournament’s awards banquet at ice level at the SOEC.
Cowichan-Drumheller Trade:
The Cowichan Valley Capitals have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Rhett Kingston(97)(F) from the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.
Express Name Leone Captain:
The Coquitlam Express of the BCHL are proud to announce the leadership group for the upcoming 2016-17 BCHL hockey season. Wearing the Captain ‘C’ will be twenty Year old Veteran Player Luca Leone. Cam Bertsch will wear the ‘A’ on both the Black and White Express Jerseys supporting Leone both home and away. Also wearing an ‘A’ on their jerseys will be Dom Masellis and Keegan Jones on the Black Express Jerseys and Blake Hayward and Alex Ambrosio on the White Express Jerseys. “We are very proud of this leadership group and hope that they can lead us towards a successful 2016-17 BCHL season!” Said Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff. The Express start the BCHL regular season Friday night September 9 vs the Surrey Eagles at the South Surrey Arena, face off 7:00pm
Surrey-Penticton Trade:
The Surrey Eagles hockey club has announced the acquisition of defenceman Cory Babichuk and forward Desi Burgart from the Penticton Vees. Both players are expected to be in the opening day lineup on Friday, September 9th against the Coquitlam Express. Babichuk, who turns 18 later this month, played last season in the Alberta Midget Hockey League – including a brief stint with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL. He is committed to play division I NCAA hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) next season. Burgart played last season in Pentction, where he recorded 4 goals and 2 assists in 37 games. He also appeared in 5 playoff games for the team. He is a graduate of the Vancouver Northwest Giants hockey program. He will also be turning 18 later this month. The Eagles play their final pre-season game on Saturday night against the Langley Rivermen at 7 PM. Admission to South Surrey Arena is free for all spectators.
Spruce Kings Name Mennear Captain:
The Prince George Spruce Kings are pleased to announce that 20 year old forward Brett Mennear has been named team captain for the 2016-2017 season. The alternate captains will be Adam Burnett, Braiden Epp, Kyle Johnson, and Connor Russell. Brett Mennear was a big part of the West Kelowna Warriors team that just recently completed a dream season by winning the RBC Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Championship. Last season with West Kelowna, Mennear was an assistant captain and had 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 52 regular season games played. In the lengthy run to the National Championship Mennear had 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 35 playoff games played. “It’s a huge honour to be named captain of such a historic franchise. We’ve got a lot of great leaders, and it’s an honour to be picked,” said Mennear on receiving the captaincy. Adam Burnett is entering his second season with the Prince George Spruce Kings, and after playing all 58 games last season recorded three goals and ten assists. Two years ago Burnett was the captain with the Milton Icehawks. The 2016-2017 season will be Braiden Epp’s fourth full season with the Spruce Kings. In 46 games last season Epp had nine goals and 11 assists while wearing the “A” to cap the season off. In 160 regular season games, the forward has 77 points. Epp won the CNC Fan Favourite Award last season. Kyle Johnson will be coming into his second year with the team after being signed from the Vancouver North East Chiefs of the BCMML. Johnson led all forwards in points last years with 41 points in 58 games. The Port Moody native cleaned up at the awards ceremony winning Scholastic Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and MVP. In the offseason Kyle Johnson committed to Yale University for the 2018-2019 season. Connor Russel will be playing his first season with the Spruce Kings, but brings two years of BCHL experience. The veteran defenseman played half of a season with the Penticton Vees before being traded to the Cowichan Valley Capitals where he spent the remainder of the season, and all of last year. In 102 BCHL games, Russell has five goals and 24 assists for 29 points. The announcement comes ahead of this week’s home opener against the Merritt Centennials on Friday September 9th.
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