Monday, October 23, 2017

BCHL News & Trades:

I found these press releases off team websites, twitter accounts, blogs or online. All Vipers news-trades are posted on this blog as soon as released-announced.

BCHL News & Trades:

BCHL Logos Ranked 1-17

Youtube Channel Post2Post runs down their favourite logos from the BCHL Junior A hockey league located in British Columbia. Interesting to get an out of market opinion on each team’s branding. From the Cowichan Valley Capitals take on the NHL logo to the Vernon Viper or should we say Cobra looking logo all the way to the fired up Surrey Eagle. Check out what they had to say about each team’s logos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yuw58otFjCY

Centennials Acquire Gerlib-Release Borgida:

The Merritt Centennials made a trade late last night. Merritt Centennials’ General Manager Joe Martin confirmed the team has completed a trade that will bring in another right handed defensemen to the line up. The Cents traded for Colten Gerlib who played for the Tri-City Americans and the Surrey Eagles last season, before having his rights dealt to the Maritimes this year. Gerlib had a goal and five assists over 30 games split between the two teams. Seeing the opportunity to bring in a player that can help bring some experience to the back end, and a player the Cents have had their eye on for a while, Martin decided to make the move. “I’ve liked Colten for a couple years, I really like the way he skates, he’s a puck moving defenseman, and he provides a year of experience of junior hockey and we felt we could use that.” Said Martin The Cents parted with the rights to Ethan King, who played in 11 regular season, and 6 playoff games for the Centennials last season. The trade means that import player Jake Borgida has been released from the Centennials as well. Martin felt that with the acquisition of Gerlib, Borgida would no longer get the development required and both sides mutually agreed to part ways. Gerlib could be in the lineup as early as this afternoon for the matinee game against the Langley Rivermen at the Bauer BCHL Showcase at 1pm.

Vees, Fans Stoked For Home Opener:

It’s a sixth straight Interior pennant, fourth Interior playoff and third BCHL championship banner in the last six years for the Vees, who also have an RBC Cup national title, a Western Canada Cup and a Doyle Cup banner sprinkled in there, too. “It’s a big building,” said Vees president, GM and head coach Fred Harbinson. “There is always room for more (banners). That’s what we’re shooting for.” Harbinson, in his 11th season at the helm, said he has never seen the excitement as high as it’s been going into this year’s home-opener. He said the club seat party at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Tuesday was packed, and the traditional season ticket BBQ party outside the SOEC on Wednesday was jam-packed with hundreds of people lining up 45 minutes before the start of the event that started at 4:30 p.m. Fans got to pick up their tickets, meet and mingle with the players and coaching staff, and enjoy some BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs and beverages. “There is definitely a real buzz in the air… everywhere you go people are excited about seeing us play at home,” said Harbinson. “I know the players are pretty darned fired up and ready to go. They’ve been excited for weeks and now the moment has arrived. Hopefully we get the nerves out of the way early and play a real good game.”

Chilliwack-Grande Prairie Trade:

The Chiefs announced today that they have acquired 19 year old forward Michael Clarke from the Grande Prairie Storm in exchange for defenseman Sean Thomson. Clarke, who is coming off a 31 goal season with the Storm, has three goals in his first five games this season. Thomson, in his first year with the Chiefs has one goal in six games this season.

Penticton Vees TV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=rc7M2XM6lL0

Cowichan-Notre Dame Trade:

The Cowichan Capitals pulled the trigger on their first trade of the young hockey season, acquiring twenty-year-old forward Raphael Gosselin from the Notre Dame Hounds of the SJHL (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) in exchange for eighteen-year-old forward Alec Zawatsky. Gosselin spent his previous three seasons playing for the Champlain St. Lawrence Lions of the Quebec College Hockey League. In those three seasons, the twenty-year-old amassed 111 points in 124 games, including a career-high 42 points in 33 games last year. That was good enough for second on the team behind Mathieu Gosselin’s 43 points, and Raphael finished ninth in league scoring. However, he showed his 200-foot presence, finishing with a plus/minus of +21, the best in the league. Gosselin will wear number 12 for the Capitals. In return, Cowichan has sent forward Alec Zawatsky back to Notre Dame in the player for player trade. In 57 games split between last and this season, the eighteen-year-old totalled 17 points, while tallying 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games this year. The Capitals wish Alec the best of luck in Notre Dame and thank him for every goal, assist and hit he provided in a Capitals uniform. Next up, the Capitals hit the road for three games in three nights stretch with stops in Wenatchee (Friday 7:05), Merritt (Saturday 7:00) and Coquitlam (Sunday 2:00). The next Capitals home game is October 8th at 2 PM against the Wenatchee Wild.

O'Reilly Joins Chilliwack Chiefs:

The Chiefs are pleased to announce the addition of defenseman Brendan O’Reilly (1997) to their active roster. O’Reilly joins the Chiefs after spending parts of four seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Tri City Americans. In 153 games with the Americans, the 6’3 native of St. Louis Missouri scored three goals and added 13 assists to go along with 117 penalty minutes. The addition of O’Reilly brings the Chiefs roster up to the maximum of 23 players. He is expected to join the Chiefs in time for Saturday’s game in West Kelowna. The Chiefs are in Trail tonight, and return to home ice Friday October 6 when they host the Wenatchee Wild.

Shepard Commits To Vees For 2018-19 Season:

The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ hockey club is pleased to announce 2002-born forward Cole Shepard has committed to the Vees for 2018, and will be an affiliate player for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. Shepard, from West Vancouver, currently plays for Delta Academy Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. In the 2016-17 season with the Delta Bantam team, Shepard recorded 19 goals and 28 assists in 30 games. So far this season, Shepard has three goals and seven assists in seven games. “Cole is an outstanding young talent who will fit very well into the way we play in Penticton,” said Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson. For Shepard, the success and pedigree of the Vees franchise was too good of an opportunity to pass up. “This is an organization that’s known throughout junior hockey as one of the best places to play,” Shepard said. “Fred, the rest of the coaching staff and the facilities are top notch. I’m a fast, creative guy who likes putting up points, but I know I have to crack down on defence too.” Earlier this week, Shepard was named to Team British Columbia for the newly-branded WHL Cup, formerly known as the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup. The event features the highest-rated players in the under-16 age category from the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The tournament takes place from October 18 through October 22 in Calgary. Because of his age, Shepard is ineligible to play for the Vees for the majority of the year. However, he will be available as an affiliate player for up to five games during the regular season. Once his season with Delta comes to an end, he can suit up with the Vees regularly.

Prince George-Drumheller Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings have dealt 20-year old defenceman Nick Sutter to the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League on Thursday. The Spruce Kings will receive future considerations. Sutter was in his first BCHL season after coming over from the Olds Grizzlies and Drayton Valley Thunder. Prince George returns to action Friday and Saturday night against the Surrey Eagles at 7PM from the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.

Bulldogs Coach's Update #5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYG6WuxDRhI

Chilliwack-Langley Trade:

The Chiefs have acquired from the Langley Rivermen in exchange for future considerations is 18 year old forward Regan Kimens. From Concord Ontario, he spent last season as a teammate of current Chiefs forward Corey Andonovski at St Andrews College where he scored 25 goals and 34 assists in 60 games. He was pointless in six games with the Rivermen this season.

Smoke Eaters Name Beland New Athletic Therapist:

Director of Hockey Operations, Craig Clare announced today that Michelle Béland will be joining the Trail Smoke Eaters as their new Athletic Therapist. Michelle is replacing outgoing AT, Angie Hurley, who started with the Smokies in November of 2016 and is relocating to Vancouver Island to further her academic and professional career. Both players and staff have have benefitted from Angie’s expertise over the past twelve months as she worked to develop and expand our Athletic Therapy department. When asked for comment, Angie stated: “I would like to thank the players, staff, owners, parents, volunteers and fans that helped make the past year a valuable experience. I would like to highlight Rich and Annie for their generosity and the Spud Shack crew for their endless work. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work within this historic team and connect with the passionate people of Trail that support it. I will always be a Smokie fan and can’t wait to see the heights this team and organization reach.” The Trail Smoke Eaters wish Angie the very best in her future endeavours.

Silverbacks Release Tallarico:

Silverbacks Head Coach & GM Scott Atkinson announced that the team has made a roster move prior to the game vs Nanaimo. “We made a difficult decision yesterday in deciding to release Nik Tallarico. Nic played well for the Silverbacks last year, but as this season progressed it became clear that he would not be in a starting position with the club. We thought it only fair to allow him to pursue his goal of being a BCHL starting goaltender with another club. We wish Nic nothing but the best, he is an outstanding young man.” The Silverbacks (5-6-0-0) host the Nanaimo Clippers (5-5-1-0) tonight (Saturday) at 7pm at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. The home team is coming off of it’s second win of October and third victory of the season on home ice, as the Silverbacks came back to win 7-6 over the Langley Rivermen (4-2-0-6) this past Tuesday, October 10th. Riley Hayles was scratched on Tuesday, joining Josh Latta and Julian Timba. Timba has played just five regular season games thus far and Latta has missed four straight with an ailment.

New BCHL Playoff Format:

Following numerous meetings, conference calls and proposed scenarios, a Task Force Committee created in June 2017 by the BCHL Board of Governors has recommended a format for the 2018 BCHL playoffs. The Board voted to keep the league’s the three-division alignment for the regular season, eliminate the first-round bye in the Interior Division playoffs and have 16 of the 17 teams make the playoffs. The 2018 BC Ford Dealers Road to the Fred Page Cup BCHL Playoffs will adhere to the following structure: The top-four teams from both the Island and Mainland Divisions will qualify for the playoffs and will be seeded No. 1 to No. 4. In the Interior Division, which has seven teams now that the Wenatchee Wild have joined, the top-six teams will qualify for the playoffs, seeded No. 1 to No. 6. The last-place team from each division (Island fifth place, Mainland fifth place and Interior seventh place) will be eligible to compete in the Interior Division opening round as the No. 7 or 8 seed. The top two of the three last-place teams, determined by regular-season points total, will go into the Interior Division for Round 1. The Island and/or Mainland team crossing over will be the No. 7 or No. 8 seed if they have a higher points total than the Interior last-place team. All playoffs rounds will be a best-of-seven format. The winner of the Island versus Mainland Coastal final will play the winner of the Interior Division in the Fred Page Cup BCHL Finals.

Surrey-Pembroke Trade:

The Surrey Eagles have transferred the CJHL playing rights to Alex Horawski(97)(G) to the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL in exchange for future considerations

Szeto & Helliwell Commit To Rivermen For Next Season:

The Rivermen are proud to announce the signing of Kalen Szeto and Ryan Helliwell for the 2018-2019 season. Products of Burnaby Winter Club, and now BWC Academy, the first year midget 15 year old boys attended Rivermen Main Camp, and didn’t look out of place, playing in games throughout exhibition games including a game each on their trip down to Wenatchee. “We made the decision pretty early on that we wanted the boys to make the trip with us and get a good experience, plus play against a top team and see how they could do, and both rose to the occasion.” said Head Coach and GM Bobby Henderson. Kalen, 15, has a family history with the Rivermen, his older brother Justin played for Bobby 2 years ago before attending Harvard. Henderson added; “I see a lot of Justin in Kalen. Justin played for us 2 years ago before leaving on a scholarship to attend Harvard University. Kalen has a high hockey IQ, he gets to open spaces he always finds the puck he’s always around the puck and thats a good thing. If he’s not creating opportunities he’s finishing around the net and that kind of nose for the net can’t be taught.” “My time with the Riv so far has just been amazing, the team culture and the guys are great. Going in to main camp I was a little nervous but guys on the team were really nice and made me feel comfortable playing, especially Jake Livingstone and Brendan Budy. I chose to play here because growing up I watched my older brother Justin play with the Rivermen a lot and I always wanted to be one of those players on the ice. Just getting to know the players and coaches, along with the good things my brother said about his experience, helped me make the decision confidently, and I feel playing for the here is a great opportunity for me.” Said the 15 year old new recruit, Kalen Szeto Ryan, 15, has been on the eye off the staff for years now, Co-Owner John Henderson has a son who is a year younger than Ryan and has seen him grow up and develop for years. Ryan captained his BWC Western Canadian Championship Bantam team last year. Bobby added; “Ryan, has a high IQ as well on the ice, he sees plays develop before they do, he jumps up into the play at the exact time, knows when to back away, and actually excelled playing against a tough veteran Wenatchee team. I rememeber he broke us up ice out of the zone moved the puck jumped up as the trailer and sniped one home. I rememeber looking over at our Assistant Coach Stefano Ruscitti right after saying ‘ Lock him up’ and we did just that as the bus dropped us off on the way home from the trip.’ “I knew I would enjoy the competition at the next level, but my time with the Rivermen really exceed my expectations. I didn’t realize what a great environment and culture they had until the players all made me feel welcome. Like Kalen Jake Livingstone and Brendan Budy welcomed me and made sure I was comfortable. The coaches made the transition easy and the players really made me feel apart of their group on and off the ice, I still hear from some of the guys regularly.” Said Helliwell, who is pictured here after that road trip with the some of the boys. Kalens was taken on a different date. Yesterday, both of our new commits were named to this years Team BC for the 2017 WHL Cup against Team Alberta, Team Manitoba and Team Saskatchewan.  The WHL Cup takes place from October 18 – 22, 2017 at WinSport in Calgary, Alberta.

Chilliwack-Bonnyville Trade:

In the second move of the day, the Chiefs sent 19 year old forward Bobby Young to the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for 19 year old defenseman Jake Gresh. From Avon Connecticut, Gresh had eight goals and 25 assists in 48 games with the Pontiacs last season. He is committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for the 2018-19 season. Young, in his first season with the Chiefs had one assist in eight games.

Coquitlam-Nipawin Trade:

The Coquitlam Express have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Jonathan Sheardown(99)(D) from the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations

Trail Smoke Eaters Video:

The Trail Smoke Eaters are one of the best examples of a Junior A hockey team turning things around – WITHOUT winning a league title.  The new ownership has moved this team in the right direction by restoring pride back into the organization and this video is just another example of how they’re doing that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRaPxwbClbs

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