BCHL News & Trades:
Rome Returns To Grizzlies For 2017-18 Season:
It may be sunny and 20 plus degrees but it feels like Christmas for Head Coach and GM Craig Didmon as he received the news he had been waiting for all summer. Jamie Rome has decided to come home. Well, at least back to Victoria to play for one more year. Rome, who calls his real home Calgary, was given the choice to start his college career with Western Michigan this season or defer for a year and attend the following season. Rome has decided to play one more season for the Grizzlies and the Grizzlies coaching staff couldn’t be happier. “That’s great new for our team and fans, no question. I thank Andy Murray and Western Michigan for allowing Jamie to play one more season for us. From a development stand point I think it is a great move for Jamie, and as far as our club is concerned, he is a big piece to the puzzle and will be a top player in the league this season,” commented Coach Didmon. The Grizzlies Rookie of the Year, for the 2016/17 season, scored 29 goals last season (regular season and playoffs) and will be looked upon to put up solid numbers again. “Jamie is a power forward with a great stride and as well a real nose for the net. Jamie and Lucas Clark had great chemistry and helped each other find their way in the BCHL, and this season I look for those two to be top players in the league” added Didmon.
Powell River Kings Name Carter New Goalie Coach:
The Kings would like to welcome Chris Carter as the teams new Goaltending coach for the 2017/2018 season. Carter replaces long time netminding mentor Jeff Battah, who has taken up an opportunity with the Graz 99ers in the Austrian Hockey League. Carter, who is based on Vancouver Island and also coaches with the VIU Mariners, joins the Kings after a stint with the Cowichan Valley Capitals last year. “I am both honoured and humbled to be joining the Powell River Kings. It’s a tremendous organization on so many levels. It’s such a great opportunity for me as a goaltending coach to a part of an organization dedicated to the success of its players. I’m looking forward to contributing to the success of our goaltenders and the success of this great team.” For Battah, the opportunity to cut his teeth in pro hockey was too good to pass up. During my time in Junior, I got the chance to work with a lot of Europeans that had come over to Canada” said Battah. “When the opportunity to coach in Europe came up for me it was something that was outside of my comfort zone and something I felt was a good challenge for me professionally.” Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis says that while he’s excited for Battah to pursue a great opportunity, he’s a big loss to the organization. “Jeff has been a big part of our club for many years and helped develop some of the best goaltenders in the BCHL. He was great to have as a resource for our guys and we’ll miss him around the club…but we’re obviously very happy for him to have this opportunity.” On Carter joining the team, Lewis says it’s great to bring in someone with the level of experience Carter brings. “Chris has been coaching out east for many years and has continued that out in BC. Obviously Cowichan last year and then now with us this season means Chris will be able to provide quality coaching and mentoring all year to our guys. Having him on the Island means our guys will have great access to work on their game regularly throughout the season.” Carter will not only work throughout the season with Powell River King net minders, but also train and help develop local minor hockey goalies. The Kings wish Jeff all the best with his new endeavor in Austria, and would like to extend a warm welcome to Chris this season.
Centennials Training Camp Begins Monday:
Another exciting season of Merritt Centennials hockey is only days away, with the start of training camp scheduled for this coming Monday, August 21 at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Between 50 and 60 skaters will descend upon our valley for the Cents’ main camp, which will run until September 1. It will include a quartet of intra-squad games and five exhibition matches against BCHL rivals. Each player attending Merritt’s training camp will be vying for one of 23 coveted positions on this year’s Cents’ squad, and the opportunity to compete in arguably the best Junior A league in North America. There are going to be a number of recognizable faces at this year’s training camp with nine returning players from the Merritt team that went 23-25-8-2 during the 2016-17 regular season — good for 56 points and fifth place in the BCHL’s Interior division — before losing out in seven games to the Penticton Vees in round two of the playoffs. The veteran group includes goaltender Jake Berger (born in 1997), defencemen Tyrell Buckley (97) and Michael Van Unen (99), as well as forwards Henry Cleghorn (97), Zach Zorn (97), Zach Court (97), Chase Bell (97), Nick Wicks (98) and Rylan Van Unen (99). Gone from last year’s Cents’ team are 20-year-old graduating players Brett Jewell (Yale), Nick Fidanza (retired), Stephan Seeger (Germany), Cade Gleekel (St. Lawrence), Mike Faulkner (Hobart College) and Aaron Murray (Concordia). Other players not expected to return or suit up for the Centennials this coming season are goaltender Colten Lancaster (traded to Alberni Valley), defencemen Zach Metsa (USHL), Zach Bleuler (Queens) and Ethan King (Lethbridge, WHL), along with forwards Tyler Ward, Zach Risteau and Michael Regush (all gone to the USHL). With a number of spots to fill on this season’s roster, Centennials’ third-year head coach and GM Joe Martin and his assistants — Matt Samson and newly-hired Brandon Shaw — have been busy this summer recruiting players from across North America.
Vancouver Island Junior Hockey Team Makes Full Face Protection Mandatory For Players:
A junior hockey team on Vancouver Island will be the first in Western Canada to make its players wear a full cage face shield instead of a half visor. Brad Tippett, coach of the Junior B North Saanich Peninsula Panthers, said the decision came about because "logic trumps tradition." "Why wouldn't we? This is about player safety," he said. The Peninsula Panthers are following the lead of 117 Ontario-based Junior A and B teams that have made cages mandatory. Cages — which are usually made out of metal — offer full face and mouth protection. Visors are made with shatter resistant plastic but only protect the upper half of the face, and even then, not very effectively, if a stick or puck gets up underneath it. Cages are mandatory at all levels of minor hockey in Canada but not in junior where graduating to a half visor is often seen as a badge of accomplishment. But Tippett says the half visor rule in junior is a recipe for injury. "The kids coming into junior now have never not played with a cage. And because of it, there's a stick management issue — they don't have to worry about their sticks being up because everyone they've ever played against has worn a cage. Then they come into a league where there isn't [cages] and their sticks are still up. And guys get hurt," he said. Tippett believes other junior teams in B.C. are poised to make cages mandatory, if only because it will reduce insurance costs. "In Ontario ... teams that go to the full cage get an insurance reduction. The majority of dental claims came from the Junior B level because they weren't wearing them." Arguments against cages have little to do with safety and a lot to do with hockey's macho image — cages are for kids, visors just look cooler. Spectators want to see a player's face. As well, players often complain that a cage impairs vision on the ice, an argument Tippett calls "hogwash." Thirty-five years removed from his own playing days, he can't help but recount the toll taken playing in the pre face- protection era. "I was cut all the time," he sad. "I lost eight teeth, I've got two screws in my jaw and had over 300 stitches in my face." The Peninsula Panthers management considered making cages mandatory last season but Tippett says they were finally pushed to do it after watching some of their players swap out their half visors for full cages, so they could play lacrosse. "In lacrosse, you're not allowed to play without one." Tippett says he's received a flood of supportive emails — including one from a dentist — since announcing the move. He thinks it's only a matter of time before most junior level leagues make cages mandatory. "This is like Jacques Plante's story. He was mocked for introducing the goalie mask, because it wasn't macho. Now, kids are mocked if their $1,000 goalie mask doesn't have a custom paint job. It's not the mask — the mask is normal now. It's the paint." "Someone from outside of hockey said to me: 'There's something to protect your players and you're not using it? Why?' They couldn't understand it."
Penticton Vees Release New Third Jerseys:
Seven Locals Looking To Compete For Bulldogs Roster Spots:
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will begin the final stages of firming up their roster for the 2017/18 British Columbia Hockey League season when the team’s main training camp opens at Weyerhaeuser Arena on Monday, August 21st. This year’s camp will run until Thursday, August 24th when the Bulldogs will hold their annual Red vs. White Game. The inter-squad contest will feature the top-40 players from main camp and serve as the final opportunity for potential Bulldogs to impress the team’s coaching staff prior to their exhibition opener 24 hours later. The Bulldogs are thrilled that this year’s main camp will feature seven players from Port Alberni. Forwards Foster Martin, Noah Fatur, Wyatt Selva, Willie Daigneault and Jerzy Gus, plus defenceman Ezra Paddock and goaltender Jaysen MacLean, will all be stating their case to make their hometown team. Camp will open on the morning of Monday, August 21st with registration and an introductory meeting before game action kicks off at 9:00 AM. Bulldogs fans are invited to attend all on-ice sessions.
DeFazio Looking Forward To Joining Wild:
In his second year playing with the Colorado Rampage U16 team, defenseman Bryce DeFazio was named team captain and enjoyed a solid year of growth and development. He’s been drafted by teams in three different leagues, and he will arrive in Wenatchee with the rest of the hopefuls for the 2017-18 roster on August 21. Initially drafted by the WHL’s Tri-City Americans in 2014, he was then drafted by the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL in 2015, and the NAHL’s Minnesota Magicians selected him in 2016. He began last season in Waterloo, then closed out the year with the Magicians. The first year being away from his home in Colorado Springs was admittedly a bit of an adjustment. “It took some time getting used to”, he says. “Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to doing it again this year.” Having experienced two different states and two different leagues gave him some solid perspective. “Everything about Wenatchee convinced me it was the right fit for me”, DeFazio reveals. “The coaching staff is exceptional and has a great reputation of developing high level players and preparing them for the next levels. Playing in the BCHL is a great opportunity and I think playing against the skilled players in this league will help raise my game.” is introduction to hockey was one that a lot of younger siblings can relate to. “I first got into hockey at the age of 4”, he reminisces. “My older brother tried to make me a goalie so he could have someone to rip pucks at in the garage. Once I was old enough to realize I had a choice, I wanted to play defense. Also, my grandmother had season tickets for the Colorado Avalanche when I was young, and I really began to fall in love with hockey watching guys like Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Rob Blake.” His goals are specific, yet open-ended. “My long-term goals are to win a championship with Wenatchee, to go on to play Division 1 college hockey, and to make a career out of playing hockey for as long as I can. Wild Head Coach / GM Bliss Littler is excited to see DeFazio blend in to his new surroundings. “He’s a big-bodied defenseman who skates well. He brings experience that will help our back end.” For the 6’4”, 200 lb. DeFazio, he has a few NHL stars he looks to for inspiration. “I really admire the character of Jonathan Toews. Fundamentally, I feel that my play is similar to 2-way defensemen like Brent Seabrook and Mattias Ekholm.”
Powell River Kings Main Camp Preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM4o0MBc3gQ
Prince George-Notre Dame Trade:
The Prince George Spruce Kings have added a tall, veteran presence to their defensive line-up for the upcoming 2017-18 season. Defenceman Chays Ruddy has been acquired from the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) by way of the Trenton Golden Hawks of the Ontario League (OJHL), in exchange for rights to forward Hunter Luhmann, and future considerations. The 20-year-old spent the last two seasons in Trenton, which included a trip to the 2017 RBC Cup in his hometown of Cobourg, Ontario. Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes says his experience and great character will be big assets to his squad. “He was a big part of a very good team in Trenton last season that earned its way to the National Championship. He will be leaned on heavily here to provide leadership on and off the ice, and will be a big piece of our team this season.” Ruddy tallied 14 points (1G, 13A) while picking up 99 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Golden Hawks last season. He will join the team on Thursday, August 24th for training camp at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA).
Warriors New Owners Hope To Put Team’s Stamp On Outside Of City Arena:
New murals outside and more food choices inside will help create a better hockey atmosphere at West Kelowna Warriors games this year, city council will hear Tuesday. Council will decide whether to grant permission for new owners of the money-losing BC Hockey League team to adorn the exterior of Jim Lind Arena with the club’s logo and depictions of its star players. As well, team owners propose to take back control of the rink’s concession so more food options can be offered to fans. Different food trucks on game night are under consideration. Giving up the concession will cost the city about $5,000 a year in revenue, staff estimate. The suggested modifications to the city’s lease with Vision Sports Group should help the team draw more fans and put it on a better financial footing heading into the 2017-18 season, says Bob Kusch, municipal recreation manager. Previous team owner Mark Cheyne announced just before the start of last season’s playoffs that he was looking to sell the Warriors after years of heavy losses. The 2015-16 season alone, he said, had cost him more than $300,000 even though the Warriors won the national championship. The team’s financial losses were even greater in other years, West Kelowna council heard last fall when it cut the Warriors’ annual rink rental from $63,600 to $52,000. Attendance at Warriors games last January averaged about 840 people in the 1,500-seat arena. Although Penticton and Vernon have populations similar to West Kelowna, teams in those cities draw substantially more fans than the Warriors. The Penticton Vees have averaged 2,500 fans the past three years, and attendance at Vernon Vipers games since 2014 has averaged 1,850. In February, council voted against a request from the team to put Warriors stickers on all city-owned vehicles to better promote the club.
Wild Pre-Season Games Will Offer Unique Format:
When the Wenatchee Wild and new division rival Trail Smoke Eaters get together for preseason hockey next weekend at the Community Rink, the games will be a little different from what hockey fans are used to, as each night will feature four full periods of hockey, instead of the standard three periods. The British Columbia Hockey League mandates that teams may begin their organized preseason activities no sooner than Aug. 21, 2017. As a result, most, if not all teams have a good number of players battling for the 23 allotted roster spots. By splitting the games into four periods, each side will be able to include more players by refreshing the rosters after two periods. “It’s different, that’s for sure”, says Head Coach / GM Bliss Littler. “But both organizations agreed this is a great way to involve more players and get everyone the opportunity to compete for a spot.” He concludes with a smile, “And the fans will love it, it’s a whole extra period of free hockey!” The four-period format will be utilized on both nights, August 25-26 with the games starting at 7:00 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door only for $10 General Admission. The following weekend games against the Langley Rivermen at this time are expected to be standard format games. Those games start at 7pm on September 1 and and 2pm on September 2.
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