BCHL News & Trades:
New Blood Hoping To Lead Centennials:
Announced off-season signings include defensemen Joey Berkopec (98) from Oakville, Ont. (Burlington Cougars, OJHL) and Jackson Munro (00) from Vancouver (Richmond Sockeyes, PIJHL). Confirmed forward signings are Brendan Schneider (98) from Wellesley, Ont. (Albany Academy, USHS), Ashton Stockie (98) from Stratford, Ont. (Kitchener Dutchmen, GOJHL) and Matthew Kopperud (99) from Denver, Colo. (POE, NAPHL 18U and CSSHL). There are three to four other player signings currently in the works, and official announcements will be made upon the completion of all paper work. With nine returning players and possibly as many as nine signed recruits by the time training camp gets underway, the Cents’ 23-man roster for this upcoming season will already be sitting at 18. It is anticipated that there will be openings for one goaltender, two defensemen and two forwards. Martin said that also influencing the final selection process is the fact the Cents must sign one more player 17 years of age or younger, in accordance with BCHL roster rules that dictate a total of two such players on every teams’ roster. The majority of unsigned players attending the Cents’ training camp will be coming from the major-midget, hockey academy and Junior B ranks. Many of them are invitees back from one or both spring camps held by the Centennials in Merritt and Abbotsford. For the first time in several seasons, there will be no local talent on display. Young Merritt players like Talon Zakall, Chase Cooke, Atrayu Johnny and Justin Tighe are all a year or two away from junior hockey. Martin hopes to be down to 30 players by Sunday, Aug. 27, and the mandated BCHL 23-player limit by no later than Sunday, Sept. 3. For those wishing to catch an early glimpse of the 2017-18 Cents’ returnees, confirmed newcomers and wannabes, the training camp schedule is provided above. Centennials’ fans will also be able to take in three home exhibition games — against Salmon Arm on Wednesday, Aug. 23, versus West Kelowna Aug. 26, and against Chilliwack on Friday, Sept. 1.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs Coach's Update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lMcSq8fIYY&t=10s
Penticton-Battlefords-Okotoks Trade:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the acquisitions of 1997-born forwards Ben Allen from the Battlefords North Stars and Shane Allan from the Okotoks Oilers in exchange for future considerations. Allen, a native of Allen, Texas, appeared in 44 games for the North Stars last season scoring 19 goals and adding 26 assists. He then scored seven goals with six more assists in 12 playoff games to help the North Stars win the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship. Vees fans would have gotten a first-hand look at Allen at the Western Canada Cup, where he scored once in five games. Allan, a Calgary native, missed a large portion of the season last year due to injury. Limited to 10 games with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Okotoks Oilers, Allan recorded one goal and one assist. In 2015-16, Allan played 66 games in the Western Hockey League with the Kootenay Ice, scoring three goals with three assists. “When we look back at the four championships in our last 10 years, the one constant has been the importance of a veteran presence in the BCHL playoffs,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “These acquisitions raise our experience up front. Ben knows what it takes to win a championship at this level and will be relied upon in our quest to repeat as BCHL champions. Shane is coming off an injury and looking for a fresh start. We look forward to working with both of them throughout training camp.” Both players will be arriving in Penticton over the weekend ahead of training camp which begins Monday, August 21. Less than 100 Season Memberships remain for the 2017-2018 season.
Former Silverbacks Captain Killip Excited To Return To Salmon Arm:
Former Salmon Arm Silverbacks Captain David Killip has decided to return to his Junior A roots, taking an assistant coaching role with the BCHL Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Kelowna native had spent last season working with Western Michigan University, the same school he played three seasons for after earning an NCAA scholarship. The 26-year-old spent three years with the S’backs racking up an impressive 148 points including 63 goals with the Interior Conference team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXpDdZcxFKE
Chilliwack-Prince George Trade:
The Prince George Spruce Kings have traded 20 year old defenseman Bryan Allbee to the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for future considerations. Allbee had joined the Spruce Kings part way through last season and played 19 regular season and 6 playoff games with the team after spending the previous two and a half seasons playing in the Western Hockey League. “Bryan and I have several discussions over the summer on what was best for him moving forward towards his last season of junior hockey. He had expressed to me that although he enjoyed his time with the Spruce Kings he would prefer to not deal with the distractions that come along for any player who plays in their hometown. As the GM of a team you have to have the best interest of the team at the fore front of your decision making at all times but that being said you also have to consider what is best for these young men individually as well. Bryan is a good young man and we wish him nothing but success with his new team” said Spruce Kings General Manager Mike Hawes. The team’s training camp gets underway this Thursday August 24th and ends Sunday August 27th with the Annual Training Camp All-Star game at 10:00am. All camp sessions including the All-Star game will take place at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and are free to attend for our fans and the public.
Clean Slate For New Bulldogs Coaches:
The new Alberni Valley Bulldogs coaching staff is looking at a clean slate for this year’s main BC Hockey League camp. An application from head coach Matt Hughes, formerly of the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna and the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), was one of 142 coaching resumes received by the Bulldogs during their recruiting process. “I received a phone call asking if I’d be interested in this possibility of coaching for the Bulldogs,” said Hughes. “It ended up going well for both sides. It was something I got excited about.” Former assistant coach Alex Evin tendered his resignation shortly after Hughes was hired in May, and Hughes started work overseeing the Bulldogs’ spring identification camp. This is where he met assistant coach Jeff Dubois. “I’ve had an ongoing relationship with the Bulldogs as an assistant scout, and I’ve known the coaching staff over the years,” said Dubois. “Matt asked if I would be interested in moving up to Junior A, and I liked what he was doing.” Hughes said he was impressed by Dubois’ vision, and his way of communicating with others. “He had some really good things to offer, and he seemed like a natural fit. “We’ve been on the phone every day, talking about how we’re going to run things. We’ve been in constant contact.” The Bulldogs’ main camp began on Monday, Aug. 21 and will feature close to 80 players coming in to try for a spot on the team. This will be cut down to 40 players for Thursday night’s Red vs. White intrasquad game, and from that game coaches will cut to a more workable number for the upcoming exhibition games. Hughes describes the upcoming main camp as “a clean slate.” Both returning players and new players will be trying to make a good first impression on the new coach. “They’re coming in trying to impress, that’s the neat thing about this,” said Hughes. “Everyone’s trying to find a home here. The most important thing is that we take the 23 right guys.” Hughes describes his coaching style as, “we want the puck.” “If we have the puck more than the other team, then we’re making more plays,” he said. “We’re looking for players with good hockey IQ that can make the plays and adapt to a certain situation.” Dubois agreed that he also coaches a “skilled” game. “I think the direction hockey’s going is away from the bang and crash and more physical style of the 80’s and 90’s,” he said. “It’s played fast by skilled players.” He added, “I like to communicate with our guys. You can get a lot further with them that way than trying to tell them who’s boss. I’m a positive person, and I like to have that reflected in my coaching.” Off the ice, Hughes is excited to become a part of the community and said he is looking forward to meeting everyone once exhibition season starts. He will be hosting a public barbecue at Weyerhaeuser Arena, along with Dubois, trainer Scott Crema and Bulldogs players, on Thursday, August 24 at 5 p.m. just before the Red vs. White game. “I think there’s a really exciting opportunity here,” said Dubois. “This organization has really committed, passionate people behind it. The past couple years it hasn’t had the on-ice success that the community deserves. I’m excited to be on board at a time when things start to turn around.”
Penticton Vees Training Camp Update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld_3ARaLw-o
Grizzlies Open Camp Minus Hyped Prospect Alexander:
The Victoria Grizzlies opened their B.C. Hockey League training Monday at Juan de Fuca Arena without one of their most hyped players. Jacson Alexander, 16, was instead skating in the rookie camp of the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. Esquimalt-raised Alexander may be the best Island hockey blueline prospect since Tyson Barrie of the Colorado Avalanche came out of Juan de Fuca, or at least since Josh Anderson of Duncan, who went to the Avalanche in the third round of the 2016 NHL draft. Alexander is apparently hedging his bets. He is committed to the University of Denver in the U.S. collegiate NCAA, but was taken 16th overall by Swift Current in the first round of the 2016 WHL bantam draft. “I am keeping my options open,” said Alexander, by phone from Swift Current. “I want to make sure I make the right choice.” Alexander will not lose his NCAA eligibility as long as he pays for all his own trip expenses to Swift Current. “I am paying for everything,” he said. Island hockey fans will still get to see the Racquet Club and Shawnigan Lake School product skate this season in junior. No matter what his future — NCAA in Denver or WHL in Swift Current — Alexander said he will play this season in the BCHL. He is expected in Grizzlies camp Thursday for the exhibition game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals at 7 p.m. in Juan de Fuca Arena. “Jacson wanted to see what the [WHL] environment was like in Swift Current,” said Grizzlies head coach and GM Craig Didmon. “There is no question he has special qualities and is super skilled. Jacson had a great [U-17 Canadian] camp in Calgary and will be a candidate for the Canadian team to the world junior championships in a couple of years. And he’s already got an NCAA scholarship offer.” Many will watch with interest Alexander’s step up to junior this season with the Grizzlies. “He is always used to being the top player. But now he is in the mix with older players. But I think playing with older players is going to bring out a lot in him this season,” said Didmon. At 16, Alexander is undaunted by the prospect of going up against 20-year-olds. The five-foot-10 rearguard closes in on the puck carrier very quickly and he can hit, despite his size. Alexander is in the mould of undersized but mobile blueliners such as Barrie and former WHL Victoria Royals star Joe Hicketts, both of whom played for Canada at the world juniors. “I am going to keep playing the game the way I always have,” said Alexander, of his move up to junior this season as a rookie. “I am going to work hard and play physically and aggressively like I always do.” The scrimmage squads in camp are named after Grizzlies alumni Tyler Bozak, assistant captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jamie Benn, captain of the Dallas Stars.
Powell River Kings Training Camp Preview:
Kings Main Camp continues at the Hap Parker Arena this week with daily ice sessions followed by scrimmages at night. Fans can expect daily videos leading into exhibitions this weekend on Vancouver Island where the Kings will face Alberni, Victoria and Cowichan. Today Carmine Buono, Ben Berard and Jack Long all talk on last seasons disappointing end, their expectations for this year and how the team is shaping up through camp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyEcM_1pdJM
Silverbacks Reach Three-Season Deal With Shuswap Recreation Society:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks aren’t going anywhere. The club inked a deal with the Shuswap Recreation Society, securing their home at the Shaw Centre through to the 2020 season. The deal also covers the club’s new operations with the Salmon Arm Hockey School and the Maximum Edge Hockey shop. The Silverbacks purchased the hockey school in May from the group that had been operating it for the past 37 years. The school’s annual programs have proceeded as scheduled for 2017. “Our goal is to rapidly grow the Salmon Arm Elite Hockey School and programs. We have purchased these entities in Salmon Arm so together we can make the Silverbacks viable long term. We would like to thank the Shuswap Recreation Society Board and staff and the City of Salmon Arm for their tireless efforts over the last three years,” said Silverbacks GM Troy Mick. Operation of the Maximum Edge Hockey Shop, formerly known as Big Al’s House of Hockey, was taken over by the ’Backs in late July and opened for the season on Aug. 7. In a video released by the team on July 31, Mick said the new revenue streams coming from the hockey school and the shop would be an important part of the program moving forward. “It’s been a lot of work. It’s been an interesting spring and summer, but pretty soon we’re going to see the fruits of our labours.” In a press release issued on Aug. 16, the Shuswap Recreation Society, which oversees operation of the Shaw Centre, says the Silverbacks – team, hockey school and hockey shop – are important components of the Shaw Centre’s operations “It is not only important that we secure an arrangement with the team on the ice, but that we also service the users and the community with hockey related amenities. We also feel that the Silverbacks participation in these operations continues to move them toward an overall successful business. We wish them success in all three opportunities” said Glen Ritchie, president of the Shuswap Recreation Society. “This shows our belief in the Salmon Arm community at large, and further stamps Salmon Arm as a true hockey city in Canada,” Mick said. The Silverbacks pre-season training camp got underway at the Shaw Centre on Aug. 21. After some initial practices and inter-squad scrimmages to allow the coaching staff to begin choosing the final roster, the ’Backs will travel to Merritt to face the Centennials in their first exhibition game of the season. The Silverbacks won five of eight games against the Centennials last season. Heading into the 2017/18 season, the Silverbacks are doubling their efforts to find enough billet families for all their players. Billet families receive monthly remuneration and grocery cards as well as two season tickets to watch the team play.
West Kelowna-College Français de Longueuil Trade:
The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Sunday that the club has traded goaltender Gabriel Morency (‘98) to the College Français de Longueuil of the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) in exchange for future considerations. Morency, 19, was added by the Warriors on the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) trading deadline on January 10th last year after his release from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s (QMJHL) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. In 12 games played with the Warriors in 2016/17, Morency posted a 5-4 record with a 3.36 GAA and a .905 SV%. Prior to his time in West Kelowna, the Quebec, Quebec native posted a 3.87 GAA and a .866 SV% in 11 games with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL before being traded to the Armada but not appearing in any game action before his release from the club. “With the way our goaltending situation is playing out, it was unfortunately Gabriel who was the odd man out,” said Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster, “We’d like to wish him the best as he moves on in his Junior hockey career.” The Warriors organization would like to thank Gabriel for his contributions to the Warriors and the city of West Kelowna and would like to wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Meet Bulldogs Superfan:
What does it take to be an extreme Bulldog Fan? Kaicee Trott lets us see what it's like on her side of the lens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irOasDtGnxU
Silverbacks Make Organizational Changes:
The Salmon Arm Sports Inc group which consists of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks BCHL, Steamboat Wranglers RMJHL, Salmon Arm Elite Hockey & Power Skating School & the Maximum Edge Hockey shop would like to announce an organizational change. Troy Mick who is currently the President & GM of the Silverbacks will now be President – GM business operations Salmon Arm Sports Inc. He will oversee all four-business operations. Scott Atkinson the current Head Coach of the Silverbacks will now add GM & Director of player personal for the Silverbacks. Scott will be responsible for all hockey operations pertaining to the players, scouts, transactions and camps.
Surrey-Valley Jr Trade:
The Surrey Eagles have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Alex Horawski(97)(G) from the Valley Jr Wildcats of the MHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Colten Gerlib(99)(D) and future considerations.
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