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:

Kings Release Bell:

Powell River Kings free up 20-year-old spot after releasing Trent Bell. Bell has 129 points in 130 career VIJHL games, 12 points in 35 career BCHL games.

Clippers Name German New Director, Business Operations & Marketing:

The Clippers are pleased to announce the acquisition of Paul German to the Clippers organization as the new Director, Business Operations and Marketing. Paul German, who hails from the Saanich Peninsula, brings over two decades of success in high-profile marketing, brand development and business development, of which 14-years has been in the Sports Entertainment Industry. Paul began his sports marketing career in 2004 with, then, Oakland A’s affiliated Vancouver Canadians (MILB), before returning to his hometown in 2008 to take on the position of Director of Sales & Marketing for the Victoria Seals Professional Baseball Club (GBL). Ultimately, Paul was then recruited in 2011 by the Victoria Shamrocks (WLA) as Executive Director, where he took one of Canadian Lacrosse Association’s (CLA) most hallowed brands to the next level on the Island sports scene. During his time with the Shamrocks, Mr. German experienced a wealth of achievements in the WLA, including hosting two National Championships at the Q Centre and receiving a Mann Cup National Championship ring in 2015.  Paul was then acquired as VP of Business Development for Sports Ticketing Technology Company, where he has worked with several major market Western Hockey League (WHL) Teams. During that time, Paul also consulted on two Canadian National Championships over the past year – the 2017 Junior A National Championships (RBC Cup in Coburg, Ont) and the 2017 Mann Cup Championship in New Westminster.Mr. German was hired by both Clippers owner Wes Mussio and GM/Head Coach Darren Naylor with a mandate to develop a long-term strategy for the club – focusing on both the fan experience and delivering the best value to the team’s corporate and community partners. “Paul brings a wealth of sports marketing knowledge and has a proven track record to that industry” said Wes Mussio, Owner of the Nanaimo Clippers. “He also brings a local flavor to the Clippers, a very important requirement for me as I want to bring back Nanaimo to the Clippers. Paul is well known in the market, but more importantly, shares our vision and values for the club – to deliver the best product possible to both Nanaimo fans and our corporate partners”. “From our first conversation, we were all on the same page”, Mr. German stated, “We make a strong executive so I am excited to get going on my move back to the Island and roll up my sleeves as a Clipper.” When asked about start dates, German stated “It will take a little time to get acclimated – but there will be a lot of behind the scenes work to start such as working on a bigger picture brand strategy and partnership model. I am excited that the Clippers already have great staff and volunteers who have this season well taken care of. My job in the short term will be to not get in their way and simply add expertise where I can in the beginning”.  Mr. German will “hit the ground running” when he officially takes the helm of the front office on March 1, 2018 with the BCHL playoffs on the horizon, but will representing the club on a limited basis as of January 1, 2018. About The Nanaimo Clippers: The Nanaimo Clippers are a Junior “A” ice hockey team based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. The club was started in 1972 by Cliff McNabb, whose brother, Larry McNabb, coached for many years at the old Nanaimo Civic Arena. The team was purchased by Vancouver based Lawyer Wesley Mussio (2017). They are members of the Island Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Frank Crane Arena.

Cowichan-Blind River Trade:

The Cowichan Valley Capitals have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Mike Corson(99)(G) from the Blind River Beavers of the NOJHL in exchange for future considerations

Coquitlam-Wenatchee Trade:

The Coquitlam Express have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Jack Lippis(99)(F) from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for future considerations

Nanaimo Clippers Name Gravel & Hand New Eastern US Scouts:

Lou Gravel joins the Clippers as Director of Scouting & Recruiting and Josh Hand joins as Eastern US Scout. A. Lou has an extensive history in junior hockey. He was a goaltender in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts from 1983-1985. Lou also played in the 1983 Air Canada Cup National Midget Championship, now known as the Telus Cup, where he was named to the All Star Team. The Quebec City native also played two years of professional hockey in France, and later played and coached for the University of Ottawa in the CIS. Lou has spent time as the Head Scout of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and also has scouted for the Nanaimo Clippers (90’s) and the USHL’s Omaha Lancers. He has also been the General Manager of Team Canada West for eleven years (participating in the NHL Pre Draft and Chowder Cups). A. Hand has spent over thirty years coaching, playing and recruiting in hockey at the highest levels. Hand spent ten seasons coaching NCAA college hockey with stops as an Assistant Coach at Nichols College (D3) & Manhattanville College (D3) as well as Penn State University (D1). Hand additionally, participates as a USA Hockey evaluator in both the Atlantic, New England & Rocky Mountain District regions. Coach Hand has been a guest coach/instructor/evaluator for some of the world’s top hockey programs, Mitch Korns Goalie School (NHL), Townsend Hockey Skating Systems (NHL), Minnesota Hockey Camps (MHC), Hockey Ministries International  Hand owns a bachelors of arts from Concordia College (2008), a Masters of Business Leadership from Manhattanville College (2014) and a Masters of Business Administration from Nichols College (2015).

Grizzlies Sign Sutton:

The Victoria Grizzlies are pleased to announce the signing of 18 year old defenceman Jarin Sutton from Prince George, British Columbia. Sutton played two seasons for the Cariboo Cougars of the British Columbia Major Midget League, prior to his rookie season this year with the Kelowna Chiefs of the Kootenay International Junior League. This season with the Chief’s, Sutton has amassed 10 goals, 15 assists and 65 penalty minutes in 27 games this season.  “Jarin is a good skilled defenseman with good size, he brings some offensive tools and plays a tough game” – commented GM/Head Coach Craig Didmon. The 6’ 185 pound Sutton adds that, “I am excited to be a part of the Victoria Grizzlies organization, it is a great opportunity to develop as a hockey player; and as well I look forward to being a positive contributor for the Victoria Grizzlies.”

Coquitlam-Nanaimo Trade:

The Coquitlam Express have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Jack McNabb(99)(F) from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for future considerations

Penticton Vees Report:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAhHZ5Ly36o

Clippers Name Foglietta New Assistant Coach:

Bob Foglietta has joined the Nanaimo Clippers as an assistant coach.  After growing up and playing minor hockey in Nanaimo, Bob played in the WHL. In the 1983-84 WHL season he played single games for the Kamloops Junior Oilers and New Westminster Bruins.  He then played the 1984-85, 1985-86 and part of the 1986-87 WHL seasons for the Portland Winterhawks. The remainder of the 1986-87 he played for the Moose Jaw Warriors. Bob started the 1987-88 WHL season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, and finished it and his junior career with the Victoria Cougars.  Bob played in a total of 300 regular season and playoff games in the WHL. During that time he amassed 170 goals, 135 assists, and 285 penalty minutes.  When Portland hosted the Memorial Cup in 1986, Bob was named to the All Star Team at the right-wing position.  Bob lives in Nanaimo with his wife and three kids. He has coached Rep Hockey in Nanaimo for eight years and presently works for Fortis BC.

Risteau Returns To Merritt:

The Merritt Centennials announced today the return of Zach Risteau for the remainder of the 2017-18 season. Risteau played 19 games this season with the Central Illinois Flying Aces of the United States Hockey League, scoring five points (two goals, three assists). The 19-year-old led the Centennials in goals (26) and points (50) in 2016-17 and was named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team. He added four points (three goals, one assist) in ten playoff games. The Lakeville, Minnesota product is committed to St. Lawrence University for this September. “Adding an offensive weapon like Zach to our line-up is huge,” said Cents General Manager and Head Coach Joe Martin. “We look forward to him building on his success with us last season and playing a key role in our playoff push down the stretch.”

Victoria-Drayton Valley Trade:

In an effort to trim the roster before the January 10 trade deadline, the Victoria Grizzlies have moved goaltender Shawn Parkinson to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, for a Player Development Fee. Parkinson, from Sooke B.C, played in 12 games for the Grizzlies this season posting a record of 4 wins and 5 losses, a save percentage of .907 and a goals against average of 3.32. Parkinson also played two games last season as an affiliate goaltender. “Shawn is a great young goalie and deserves to be in a situation where he can play more. He will have a starting job with the Thunder, so a great opportunity and I am confident he will do very well there” – commented Grizzlies HC/GM Craig Didmon. The Victoria Grizzlies organization would like to thank Shawn for his contributions on an off the ice and wish him the best of luck in the future.

Longo Leaves Silverbacks For Tigers:

Trevor Longo will get another shot at cracking the Medicine Hat Tigers lineup, as the 17-year-old defenceman was recalled by the team on Saturday. Longo has spent most of the season with the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks, posting three assists and 12 penalty minutes in 17 games. Before being signed by the Silverbacks though, Longo dressed for four games with the Tigers in September and October, registering zero points before being released. Drafted by Medicine Hat in the sixth round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Longo scored 48 points in 78 games over two seasons of midget action with the Vancouver NW Giants. The move comes after top-pairing blueliner Linus Nassen suffered a broken bone near his wrist on New Year’s Day against the Kootenay ICE, which will keep him out of the lineup for the next six-to-eight weeks. A four-game eastern road trip lies ahead for the boys in black and orange, which will begin on Wednesday night as the Tigers head to the SaskTel Centre to face the Saskatoon Blades.

Penticton Vees Make Roster Moves:

The Penticton Vees have announce a trio of roster moves; the signing of 1997-born forward Wyatt Sloboshan, the return of 1998-born defenceman James Miller and trading 1997-born forward Ben Allen to the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Sloboshan, from Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, joins the Vees after spending the last three and a half seasons in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs and Regina Pats. Over his 219-game WHL career, Sloboshan recorded 44 goals and 77 assists. During last years playoffs, he scored four goals and added 10 assists to help the Pats reach the WHL final. Sloboshan served as the Blades captain for the first 30 games of the 2016-17 season until being traded to the Spokane Chiefs. This season he played in 36 games with the Pats, scoring four times and adding 11 assists. The 5’10’’-forward is no stranger to city of Penticton; he spend the 2013-14 season at the Okanagan Hockey Academy scoring 48 points in 28 games with OHA Prep White. That season he also played with Vees forward Jackson Keane at the World Under-17 Hockey Championships with the Canadian Western team. In a corresponding move, the Vees have traded Allen to the Mustangs in exchange for the rights to Miller and future considerations. Allen appeared in 37 games with the Vees this season, scoring four goals and seven assists. Allen also secured his academic and hockey future at the University of Alabama-Huntsville earlier this season. Miller, from Spruce Grove, Alberta, was a member of the Vees last season scoring six goals with 12 assists in 37 regular season games. He then appeared in all 21 playoff games chipping in with seven assists, including assisting on Duncan Campbell’s overtime winner in game seven of the Fred Page Cup Final. Miller played in two games with the University of New Hampshire this season, being held pointless with four penalty minutes.

Surrey Eagles May Look To Add As Trade Deadline Approaches:

As the Surrey Eagles look to break a stretch of four seasons without a playoff appearance, team brass has found themselves in uncharted territory these past few weeks, as the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s trade deadline inches closer. The deadline for all Canadian junior ‘A’ clubs to make deals is Wednesday night, and for the first time since the team’s BC Hockey League championship run five years ago – which saw them advance all the way to the RBC Cup national championship – the Eagles find themselves as “buyers” in the trade market, rather than a team looking to deal away older players with an eye toward building for the future. Since the Eagles’ 2012/13 league title, they have just one playoff appearance – a first-round exit in 2014 – to their credit. This year, however, the Birds are third in the BCHL’s Mainland Division with a record of 20-14-4-2 (win-loss-overtime loss-tie), are just four points out of first place and appear poised for a post-season return under first-year coach Brandon West. “We’re in a different position here now, for sure – an exciting position,” Eagles general manager Blaine Neufeld told Peace Arch News Friday. “This year, we’re certainly buyers if the opportunity comes up, but we aren’t going to make lateral moves just for the sake of it. But if something comes up that makes sense for us, we’ll certainly look at it.” Neufeld has been with the team as head coach/GM over the previous playoff-less seasons, but having to worry only about front-office duties this season and last summer – while West handles the bench – has helped put the team in the current position they’re in, he explained. The singular role gave him more time to recruit, and by that token, the current deadline has been made easier because he hasn’t had to double as coach. Recruiting in the summer, that’s where you win in this league. We did a lot of it in the summer and we were happy with how things went, but then we didn’t quite hit the (win) numbers we were expecting to hit in the early going of the season, and I think people were probably questioning our moves a bit,” he explained. “But then we were able to turn it around in October, and I think we’re in a good position now.” The summer was when the team was able make what has turned out to be one of the best acquisitions of the year by any team – bringing back veteran forward John Wesley, who leads the BCHL in scoring. While Neufeld might be hard-pressed to make a deadline deal of that magnitude – trade chatter around the league was “pretty quiet” last week,” he said – he is open to any and all opportunities. “Whatever comes along,” he said, asked if he had any specific trade targets. Last week, the Coquitlam Express made a pair of deals, and on the weekend, the Penticton Vees announced they’d acquired one player via trade while welcoming another former Vee back from the NCAA, but no other moves had been announced by BCHL teams by PAN press time. The last time the Eagles found themselves in this situation at the deadline – during the 2013 run to the RBC Cup – the team made quite a splash, with then-coach/GM Matt Erhart acquiring future NHL draft pick Adam Tambellini for the Vernon Vipers in exchange for Semiahmoo Minor Hockey product Mason Blacklock and “future considerations.” Once the team’s season ended, those futures turned out to be rather significant – a pair of 17-year-olds, forward Demico Hannoun and defenceman Jordan Klimek, both of whom went on to NCAA careers. Tambellini, meanwhile, scored 26 points in just 16 regular season games for Surrey, and added 18 more points during the BCHL playoffs, helping the team to a Fred Page Cup title. So far this season, Neufeld has made a few moves, adding goaltender Nic Tallarico, who had been released by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, while also acquiring forward Matthew Campese from the West Kelowna Warriors. And should this year’s deadline pass without any further moves, Neufeld said he’s content to stand pat. “It’s not a stressful time for us. It might be for some teams this time of year, but for us… we’re very content with the group we have right now, and if we go the rest of the season with this group, I’m happy with that.”

Vincent Leaves Centennials For NAHL:

The Merritt Centennials announced today that forward Jack Vincent has joined the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League. Vincent was in his first season with the Cents and had nine points (five goals, four assists) in 30 games. “We certainly wish Jack all the best in Janesville and thank him for his contributions on and off the ice here in Merritt,” said Cents General Manager and Head Coach Joe Martin.