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:

Merritt-St. Michael's Trade:

The Merritt Centennials announced the acquisition of forward Brad Cocca from the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. He is committed to attend Harvard University in September 2018. The 18-year-old spent the 2016-17 season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the US Hockey League, where he scored five points (two goals, three assists) in 34 games. He had no points in four playoff games with the Phantoms. “Brad was a big scorer in his final year of midget and had good numbers as a 16-year-old in his first season of junior hockey. We think he’ll be an impactful player for us here in Merritt,” said Cents GM and Head Coach Joe Martin. Cocca, who’s from Mississauga, Ontario, had 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 54 games with the Buzzers as a 16-year-old during the 2015-16 season.  He was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 10th round, 200th overall, of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. Cocca made his Centennials debut this past Friday at home vs. Penticton, wearing number 26.

Eagles Sign Tallarico:

The Surrey Eagles have added 19-year-old goaltender Nic Tallarico to their active roster. He previously played for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, appearing in 3 games so far this season – posting a 2-1-0-0 record and an .875 save percentage. One of his games earlier in the season came against the Eagles at the BCHL Showcase, where he stopped 46 shots in a 3-2 Silverbacks victory. Tallarico, a West Vancouver native, is also coming off a stellar 2016-17 campaign in which he posted a 10-8-3 record along with a .918 save percentage. As a result of the roster change, goaltender Alex Horawski has been traded to the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL for future considerations. The Eagles would like to thank Alex for his commitment during his time in Surrey, and wish him the best of luck with his new organization. The Eagles are off on a road trip to Wenatchee and Vernon, but the next time you can catch them at South Surrey Arena is on Friday, October 27th against Nic Tallarico’s former team – the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Chilliwack-Calgary Trade:

The Chilliwack Chiefs have transferred the CJHL playing rights to Michael Clarke(98)(F) to the Calgary Canucks of the AJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Adam Berg(97)(D)

Trail Smoke Eaters Make Roster Moves:

The Trail Smoke Eaters have added 19-year-old defenceman, Trevor Zins to their roster. Zins comes to the Trail Smoke Eaters after playing the past two seasons with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders. The 6’0” defenceman is a commit of Umass-Lowell and will help to solidify the backend for the Smoke Eaters who sit in second place overall in the BCHL. It is expected that Zins will see his first action during this weekend’s home games. To accommodate the addition of Zins, the team has released defencemen Karsten Jang and Olson Werenka. The organization wishes both players success as they continue their hockey careers. In another move, the Smoke Eaters have traded forward, Corbyn Chabot to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL for future considerations.

West Kelowna-Chilliwack Trade:

The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Wednesday afternoon that the club has acquired forward Michael Lombardi (’98) from the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for future considerations. Lombardi, 19, has collected 2 goals and 5 points to go along with 6 penalty minutes so far this season in 13 games with the Chiefs. The Barrington, Rhode Island native previously spent three seasons with the Kimball Union Academy before heading to Chilliwack. Lombardi tallied 34 goals and 90 points in 106 career games in the United States High School (USHS) league. Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster likes the offensive depth of acquiring Lombardi, “We are very pleased to add a player like Michael to our program,” commented Ferster, “He’s a great talent that will add nice offensive touch to our forward core.” The 5’11”, 175-pound forward is a commit to the University of Quinnipiac Bobcats for the 2018/19 season. The Bobcats play out of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in the National Colligate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are based out of Hamden, Connecticut with their home rink being the High Point Solutions Arena at the TD Bank Sports Center. In a corresponding move, the Warriors have placed forward Matt Kowalski (’99) on the injured reserve. The Vernon, BC native collected 5 goals and 10 points in 12 games this season before suffering an injury on Friday night against the Wenatchee Wild. His timetable for a return to the lineup is unknown.

Coquitlam-Powell River Trade:

The Coquitlam Express have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Joshua Bruce(98)(F) from the Powell River Kings in exchange for future considerations

Vees Release Enebak:

The Vees also released 19-year-old forward Henry Enebak to return to Brookings of the North American Hockey League. Enebak managed an assist in seven games with the Vees. “He wasn’t going to get enough ice time so we sat down with him and we both agreed it was best for him to go to the NAHL,” said Harbinson. “Henry is a great young man. He totally understood the situation here.” With Enebak out of the mix, the Vees now have a roster spot open, though Harbinson is in no rush to make a move. “Maybe we bring in another depth defenceman,” he said. “I like where we are with our forwards.”

Ramping Up Fan experience At Royal Le Page Place:

It's all about the fan experience - giving fans a little more, and something different for their entertainment dollar. That's the philosophy the West Kelowna Warriors are using this season. So, far, it's working. It doesn't hurt that the team is off to one of the best starts in the 12 year history of the franchise. Restricted by space and with no luxury suites to sell, the Warriors got creative in an effort to give fans a bit more. "Obviously, we have implemented the VIP section, which is going over really well. Fans are loving it," said director of business operations Alex Draper. "And, we have hired six girls to sell beer in the crowd and the fans are liking that too." The VIP section has been set up along the breezeway at the south end of Royal LePage Place. It's similar to a suite in that it offers not only a good view, but food and drink service as well. Draper said both are going over really well with the fans. "And, to eliminate food lineups, we have brought in food vendors who are set up on the concourse," said Draper. "We have increased signage throughout the arena to show people exactly who players her, the 2016 RBC Cup champion West Kelowna Warriors. We want to let people know this is our house." The club has also tried different promotional ideas. "Last Tuesday, we had our first 25 cent chicken wing night. We projected to sell 1,000 and sold 3,500." A combination of things, a first place team, changes and a fresh memory of a team that nearly left town last season, has resulted in a uptick at the gate. Through the first five games, the Warriors are up more than 100 fans per game over last year. The team has put in 1.044 fans per game over the first five, including one sell out and a near sellout. Royal LePage Place holds 1,300 seated. The Warriors have managed better attendance numbers despite the fact their top draws, the Vernon Vipers and Penticton Vees have yet to make an appearance.

Prince George-Brooks Trade:

The Prince George Spruce Kings have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Luc Salem(99)(D) from the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations

Rivermen Acquire Hamelin:

Rivermen welcome our newest addition, Derek Hamelin. Hamelin, a Montreal, Quebec native, joins us from the USHL’s Omaha Lancers. The 20 year old left handed D man stands at 5’11 166 pounds and is a commit to Canisius College for 2018-2019 season next year. He will wear number 24 for the Rivermen and will make his debut tomorrow night against the Prince George Spruce Kings. “I am super excited to get going this weekend, met the guys on Thursday when I got in, skated today (Friday) and it was pretty clear early in practice that we have a talented and deep group here. The guys are all pretty close and get along really well, I’m just trying to be me and add to that.” Said Hamelin. But not everyone here is new to him, Derek joins two former teammates in Trevor St. Jean and Connor Marshall. “Marsh and Jeaner ( Connor Marshall and Trevor St. Jean ) are good friends of mine, I trust them and when they talked so highly of Coach Henderson and his Staff, and the group and how well the guys get along as a group, I knew it was something i wanted to be apart of, Marsh recently joined the team and I know he’s enjoying it and thats something I want to be apart of.” Added Hamelin. We caught up with Nic Ponak after practice; “Hes fast, smooth skater, smart, shoots the puck really well, and that was all in just an hour of practice. He wore n ‘A’ last year and can add to our leadership which is always great. I think I speak for everyone when I say were pumped to have him here and have him help contribute to our early success. But we are not getting ahead of ourselves, we know the work is just beginning. Come watch your Rivermen and our newest edition take the ice Saturday Oct 28 against the Prince George Spruce Kings and we are back at it Sunday at 2pm for our Halloween Game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Warriors Sign Cullen:

The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the addition of forward Lucas Cullen (’99) to their roster after his release from the Western Hockey League (WHL). Cullen, 18, has spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL before being released by the Hitmen on October 23rd. The 5’7”, 157-pound forward collected 4 goals and 9 points to go along with 12 penalty minutes in 48 games played with the Hitmen including one assist in 7 games to start the 2017/18 season. Prior to his time in the Western Hockey League, the Kelowna, BC native played the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons with the Okanagan Rockets of the BC Major Midget League (BCMML) where he tallied 24 goals and 45 points in 40 games along with 38 penalty minutes over the course of two seasons. “We’re excited to add a player like Lucas to our lineup,” commented Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster, “He’s a skilled forward that works hard and can help us create offence.” Cullen is no stranger to members of the Warriors roster as he played with Cole Demers, Chase Stevenson, Matt Kowalski and Jordan Todd on the 2015/16 version of the Rockets and also was a part of Team BC, along with Stevenson, at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George in 2015. Cullen will make his Warriors debut on Friday night when West Kelowna hosts the Penticton Vees in their first visit to Royal LePage Place this season.

Powell River-Kemptville Trade:

The Powell River Kings are proud to announce the acquisition of 1998-born forward Neal Samanski (left in above picture) from the Kemptville 73’s in the Central Canadian Hockey League, in exchange for future considerations. Originally from Erding, Germany, the 6’4, 195lb centre had 8 goals and 3 assists in 15 games with the 73’s this season. “Neal is a big body, power forward that will compliment the pieces we have here already.” said Kings Head Coach Kent Lewis. “We had been carrying 21 guys for a while, and we’re excited to have Neal with us here in Powell River.” Samanski is due in Powell River after the weekend set against Nanaimo, and is due to practice with the team ahead of next weekend’s three-game road trip through Wenatchee, Penticton and Salmon Arm.

Spruce Kings Make Roster Moves:

Wednesday was a busy day for the Prince George Spruce Kings. General Manager Mike Hawes made three different transactions to bolster their lineup for the remainder of the BCHL season. Prince George traded 18-year-old defenseman James Orr back to the Cornwall Colts of the Central Canada Hockey League in for future considerations. Orr had been acquired by the Spruce Kings from Cornwall this past summer. He recorded three assists in 16 games this season for the Spruce Kings. Jay Keranen has been acquired from the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. The 19-year-old native of Brighton Michigan had tallied 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 49 games last season for Topeka. For the second consecutive year, the Spruce Kings looked to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars for some help upfront. They acquired 17-year-old forward Reid Perepeluk has been added to the team. The 6’3” 215 pound forward started this season with the Cougars after spending the previous two seasons with the Cariboo Cougars Major Midget team. Last season, he tallied 9 goals and 27 assists for 36 points in 34 games played. Both players are expected to be ready for action when the Spruce Kings begin another three-game road trip starting on Friday against Mainland Division Rivals.

Cowichan-Dauphin Trade:

The Cowichan Capitals have transferred the CJHL playing rights to Brandon Picard(98)(F) to the Dauphin Kings of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations

Salmon Arm-Sherwood Park Trade:

Salmon Arm Silverbacks General Manager Scott Atkinson today announced the team has traded for 19-year-old goaltender Kyle Dumba for future considerations from the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL. We are excited to have Kyle Dumba join the club at the goaltender position. Kyle is a very skilled goalie; with an extremely high compete level. In 2013 the Calgary Hitmen drafted him with the 68th overall pick in the WHL bantam draft. The following year he was named the top midget goalie in the CSSHL while playing for the Edge School for Athletes in Calgary. In addition, because I have coached Kyle previously I know he is a great teammate. Kyle will be on the ice today for practice and will make his debut with the Backs as they head on the road for games Friday in Surrey, Saturday in Cowichan and then finally finishing up the road trip with an afternoon tilt versus the Victoria Grizzlies.

West Kelowna-Surrey Trade:

The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced on Tuesday morning that the club has traded forward Matthew Campese (’97) to the Surrey Eagles in exchange for future considerations. Campese, 20, played a total of 28 games with the Warriors dating back to last season when he joined the team on October 19th, 2016. In those 28 games played, Campese tallied 9 goals and 22 points while collecting 10 penalty minutes. In 10 games so far in the 2017/18 season, the West Kelowna, BC native scored 3 goals and 5 points to go along with 6 penalty minutes. Prior to his time in West Kelowna, the 5’10”, 185-pound forward spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Royals, Kamloops Blazers and Red Deer Rebels. Campese played a total of 130 games with 12 goals and 21 points with 44 penalty minutes. Campese was released by the Blazers last season, making him available for the Warriors to sign. “It was a tough decision for us to trade Matthew,” stated Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster, “We feel he will fit in very well in Surrey and wish him all the best.” The Warriors organization would like to thank Matt for his contributions to the Warriors and the city of West Kelowna and would like to wish him all the best in Surrey.