BCHL News & Trades:
Powell River Kings Main Camp-Exhibition Preview:
The second phase of the Powell River Kings Main Camp kicks in Friday as the team heads to Vancouver Island for three games in as many days. A roster of 27 will make the trip from Powell River for contests against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Victoria Grizzlies and Cowichan Valley Capitals. Kings Head Coach and GM Kent Lewis has been impressed by the benchmarks players have been able to hit already this young BCHL season and looks for that to continue this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2G-B99puIU
Penticton-Melfort-West Kelowna Trade:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ hockey club is pleased to announce the acquisition of 1997-born centre Dakota Boutin in a three-team deal involving the Melfort Mustangs and West Kelowna Warriors. The Vees have sent the rights to James Miller to the Melfort Mustangs and defenceman Garrett Ewert has been moved to the West Kelowna Warriors. Boutin, a native of Moosomin, Saskatchewan, has spent the last three seasons with the Mustangs scoring 57 goals and adding 84 assists in 150 games. He was part of back to back SJHL championships with the Mustangs in 2015 and 2016. He scored a goal along with two assists at the 2015 Western Canada Cup, helping the Mustangs reach the RBC Cup, and is committed to play at Northern Michigan University for the Wildcats next season. “After evaluating our needs, the opportunity to add an experienced right-handed centre became available,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “Dakota has the experience of winning a Telus Cup in midget and back to back SJHL championships. He’ll create depth to our forward group and we are excited to get Dakota ready to play college hockey.” Ewert dressed in one game as an affiliate with the Vees last season and played in two pre-season games this year. The Vees wish Garrett all the best with the Warriors and thank him for his contributions. Boutin will practice with his new teammates this week before making his Vees debut in the season opener September 8 in Merritt.
Penticton Vees Training Camp Update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlGBhTrrTMA
Surrey-Salmon Arm Trade:
Salmon Arm Silverbacks General Manager Scott Atkinson today announced the team has traded 20-year-old forward Connor Sundquist for future considerations to the Surrey Eagles. Sundquist who hails from Glastonbury CT had 13 goals and 17 assists for a total of 30 points last year for the Silverbacks. “Trading Connor Sundquist was a difficult decision for the coaching staff, but in the end we felt that to benefit his development he needed to be in an environment that allowed him to be a top six forward”, Stated GM Scott Atkinson. We were able to find that environment in Surrey, reuniting him with a former coach. Connor is a quality young man whom I’m sure will be an offensive force for Surrey and we wish nothing but success there. We wish Connor all the best this year with Surrey.
Bulldogs Team Governor-PAJHS President Ron Paulson Interview:
Interview with Alberni Valley Bulldogs team governor and PAJHS presidant, Ron Paulson. He talks about the progress of hiring head coach and GM, Matt Hughes, what his expectations are for this upcoming season, and most of all what the orgaziation needs to improve on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cry0W0thh14&t=18s
Decisions, Decisions, Goalie Trio Making Life Tough For Grizzlies Coach:
Any hockey fan will tell you, three is company when it comes down to the goaltending position. Victoria Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon will have to whittle that scenario down to two as the B.C. Hockey League club nears its complete roster in time for the season opener, Sept. 8 in Powell River. Zack Rose, a recruit out of Lake Forest Academy in Illinois — which has produced former Grizzlies in Cody Van Lierop, Jake Stevens and goalie Sean Cleary — is said to have the inside track on the No. 1 spot. Jonah Capriotti of Salisbury Prep School and local product Shawn Parkinson are entrenched in the three-way battle to protect the net. Current Grizzlies defenceman Dayne Finnson and recent grad Brett Stirling were both recruited out of Salisbury in Connecticut, so Didmon continues to go to the well for recruits. The goaltending choices will obviously be critical after the Grizzlies rode NCAA-bound Matthew Galajda through a strong 2016-17 campaign. “The way I see it is the starting position is open and that’s what I’m here for, to try and take it over,” said Rose, of Paradise, NL. “I’m competing with two other good goalies, trying to take the spot. We’re great friends off the ice, but as soon as we get on, it’s all business.” It’s obviously a step up for Rose, venturing northwest out of Lake Forest Academy near Chicago. So far he’s played a half a game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, keeping a clean sheet in a 3-1 win. He’ll have more work this week as the Grizzlies head to Nanaimo tonight to take on the Clippers. They also visit Port Alberni on Friday and are back home on Saturday against Nanaimo and Sunday afternoon against the Bulldogs in Sooke. “Obviously, there’s always a bit of pressure because it is a jump up,” said Rose, who recorded goals-against averages of 1.84, 2.08 and 1.78, respectively, the three years in Chicago with consistent save percentages of .911, .914 and .910. “When you get to the next level, there is always a bit of pressure, but personally I don’t feel it. You just have to relax and play your game and do what you’re here to do. “Sure, it’s faster and stronger. Shots are definitely harder. It’s a jump, like I said, but I’m ready to make it. I think I can be that No. 1 guy.” Capriotti, like Rose and Parkinson, is also 18 and recognizes the leap in playing level. “It’s a big step coming to the BCHL. Looking at the talent around, it’s a lot different from playing Prep and even junior back in Ontario,” offered the Hamilton native. “It’s a lot more skilled and physical, but that challenge is what you look forward to every day. “You want to get better every day and having these guys here, in Parkinson and Rose, they push you to do better. Having good talent is great to have around because you always want to challenge yourself to get better. The exposure and coaching has been great so far. I’ve loved it here.” Capriotti is slated to play the entire preseason game tonight in Nanaimo with Parkinson as backup. Capriotti’s introduction to the league was a quick one, facing a breakaway for his first shot against Cowichan Valley. It was the only goal he let in. “That gets you on your toes right away,” he added. Parkinson is also coming off a 42-save performance in a 6-2 exhibition win over Powell River. The six-foot-four, 190-pounder is well known to Grizzlies fans, having affiliated with the club last season while playing with the Westshore Wolves. “I don’t think it gives me either, or,” he said of any advantage or disadvantage to being the lone local. “I’m just letting my skill prove itself. “I’m confident I can be the No. 1, that’s how I feel right now. I’m comfortable and I feel like I deserve a spot. It will be coach Didmon’s decision.” A tough one at that, admitted the bench boss. “Right now I feel like all three of them can compete at this level. It’s just a matter of which two we’re going to take,” said Didmon, whose club is 2-1 so far the preseason. “Obviously, Rose has been solid from the start. We came in with the assumption that he was going to have the No. 1 spot and he has held onto that well. “I’ve been impressed with Shawn. He has shown to have improved his game sense a little bit and he has caught up to the speed of junior A. “Capriotti is real quick and he’s stopping pucks. I don’t know him as well but he has shown me that he he’s a quality goaltender, so these are the good problems to have.”
Bulldogs Coach's Update #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW9dlYcY5qU
Chiefs Name Calverley Captain:
Will Calverley will wear the captain’s C for the Chilliwack Chiefs in 2017-18. Head coach Jason Tatarnic gave Calverley the letter last week, and with it a fair amount of pressure. The 19 year old is now the undisputed leader of a team with Royal Bank Cup dreams. And the team’s fanbase has big expectations. But the native of Scarborough, Ont., is ready to embrace the challenge. “Obviously, whenever you’re named captain of any team it’s an honour,” Calverley said. “But for a great organization like this with the great history the Chiefs have, it’s that much more of an honour.” We talked last week about Tatarnic’s willingness to roll with a pair of young pups in net. Naming Calverley captain is also different, because most RBC Cup contenders insist on having a 20 year old wear the C. But Coach T feels Calverley is well suited to the role, no matter what his birth certificate says. “He’s a guy who’s going to take control of the dressing room, and we need that,” Tatarnic explained. “He’ll hold guys accountable. “The players are big guys who can handle being told they can do a better job, and I think Will is going to do that.” Calverley knows that’s part of the role. The captain can’t be everyone’s friend all of the time. Sometimes, things need to be said and he won’t be shy about saying them. “We have a good group of guys here, but every now and then mistakes happen and I’m not going to be afraid to let them know when something’s going wrong,” Calverley noted. “And I expect them to do the same with me.” Calverley enters his second year with the Chiefs. Last season he got to watch Captain K operate, and learned some lessons from Jordan Kawaguchi. “Jordan was a guy who led by example, and when he said something he would do it,” Calverley said. “He made sure guys were always on the same page.” That’s another part of Calverley that Tatarnic feels is a fit. “He plays the game hard, gives you an honest effort and he cares,” the bench boss said. “He takes care of himself and he’s prepared. “And he was with us last year.” Losing in heartbreaking fashion in the BCHL final last spring sucked. Being knocked out a second time by Penticton at the Western Canada Cup sucked even more. The silver lining for Tatarnic is his returning players remember those defeats, know what it took to get that far and know what it will take to go one step further. “Will went through it, and he’s got that sting in him,” said Tatarnic, who hasn’t name his alternate captains yet. Linden Hora, Olivier Arseneau and Kale Kane wore A’s last year. “Kale wasn’t much of a talker but he always came to play, always wanted to win and showed guys what it takes,” Calverley recalled. “Olivier was more of a talker like Gooch and he wasn’t shy to hold guys accountable. “And Linden was another quiet guy like Kale who would just do it and show guys the way.” When this season’s alternates are named, Calverley said they’ll function as one unit to move the team forward. “It’s not going to be just me holding guys accountable,” he said. “We’ll all be doing it. We’ll discuss things together and be as one leadership unit.” l The Chiefs open the regular season this weekend vs a Mainland division rival, playing back to back road games Friday and Saturday at Prince George. The team plays its home opener Sept. 15 vs the Langley Rivermen.
Chilliwack Chiefs New Third Jerseys:
Clippers Hit The Ground Running With Small Training Camp Roster:
The first day of Clippers training camp looked a lot like a regular season practice. Coach Mike Vandekamp only invited 26 players to main camp, making it the smallest one anyone hanging around Cliff McNabb Arena could remember. With the BCHL expanding rosters to 23 this year, there are very few cuts to be made. New defenseman Jordan Wharrie has played 162 games in the WHL, he says it's the smallest training camp he's ever been to, but that can have some advantages. "It gives us a good chance to get to know the teammates a little bit better. I think Mike has an idea of the team he wants to put together already with the exception of a couple of roles that are up for grabs. It gives us a chance to practice as a team, to know the systems and be prepared once opening night comes," said Wharrie. Typically Nanaimo teams have had a full compliment of six 20-year-olds but that's not the case this year. Wharrie along with returning forward Jamie Collins, and newly acquired (from Prince George) forward Parker Colley, are the only 1997 born players on the current roster. For Port Moody product Wharrie that means even though he's new to the team his experience will make him a leader. "There's a lot of new young faces here and a lot of 16 and 17-year-olds that don't really know how to play a structured game and how to play under a guy like Mike," said Wharrie. "So I'll be there to help them through the ups and downs of the season. For 2017-18 the Clippers have a good crop of returning forwards and Austin Roden is a familiar face in goal, but the defense corps will be almost completely brand new. With only Shawn Guison returning on the blueline Wharrie says the roles are wide open. "There's a lot of competiveness at camp and a lot of people want those top four spots on the backend so there's going to be a lot of competition and I'm just excited to get the season started," Wharrie said. The Clippers will be on the ice for 9 a.m. morning sessions and 3:30 p.m. afternoon practices on Wednesday and Thursday before playing in the annual Rhodesie Cup charity game on Friday at 6 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Saturday is the club's preseason opener against Alberni Valley.
Bulldogs Coach's Update #3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y66VJJ1RFn0
Vees Name Tychonick & Ward Assistant Captains:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ hockey club is pleased to announce the naming of Taylor Ward and Jonny Tychonick as assistant captains for the 2017-18 season. The two join Owen Sillinger and Grant Cruikshank who will serve as co captains this season, and Chris Klack who is also an assistant captain. “I have been pleased by the way all our returning players have impressed our culture on our new group,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “Our leadership is solid with the addition of Taylor who I’ve seen mature during his time with the Vees. With regards to Jonny, he has trusted the process and his actions over the offseason have shown he deserves to wear a letter.” Ward, a Kelowna native, enters his third season as a member of the Vees having played 116 regular season games and scoring 33 points. He played a big role in the Vees Fred Page Cup championship last season, scoring four goals and adding five assists in 21 games. He is committed to attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the fall of 2018. Tychonick, from Calgary, begins his second season patrolling the Vees blue line after scoring three times and tallying 20 assists in 48 games. He was also named to Team Canada West for the 2017 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Bonnyville, Alberta where he scored once with one assist in four games. He is slated to attend the University of North Dakota next fall.
Rivermen Name Budy Captain:
The Langley Rivermen are proud to announce Brendan Budy as our captain for this upcoming season. Brendan is entering his second season with the Rivermen after an impressive rookie season where he posted 15 goals, 30 assists in 56 games played. “Brendan epitomizes what being a Rivermen is, his infatuation with getting better both on and off the ice is whats going to push his teammates this season, as it already has throughout training camp.” said Bobby Henderson “It’s a huge honour to be captain, having someone like Cooper Leitch last year to lead us and mentor me throughout the season was really key in my development as a leader. I feel like this year I’ve come into camp with a lot of the same methods I learned from the leadership group. Last year, as a 16yr old they made the transition easy for me. My coaches and teammates pushed me to take pride in being held to a higher standard and thats what drove me this off season. We have a great group here, I’m looking forward to getting this season underway.” Brendan is committed to play hockey at the University of Denver NCAA. The Rivermen kick off their season Friday September 8th against the Surrey Eagles at the South Surrey Arena.
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