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:
Wild Name Delisi New Trainer:
With a grueling schedule of 58 regular season games and thousands of bus miles annually, the importance of keeping the student-athletes healthy can’t be overstated. The Wenatchee Wild are pleased to welcome Matt Delisi to the staff where he will serve as Athletic Trainer. With a personal history loaded with experience, Delisi brings a wealth of knowledge with him. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and received his Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Health Professions, Art, Architecture) from the University of Missouri with a Multicultural Certificate. He then went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) for his Master’s in Athletic Training, working with Elkhorn South High School (where the football and softball teams won the Nebraska state championship), and UNO Men’s Basketball, followed by a Summer Internship with Mizzou Sports Medicine primarily working with Football. He then worked with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers the following fall, and the UNO Softball and Swimming & Diving program this past spring. Sports wise, he competed in soccer, baseball, and swimming and competed on the Mizzou Club Swim Team where they finished 3rd at Club Nationals in 2012 and 2013. Delisi eagerly awaits this new chapter. “I am very excited to be a part of the Wenatchee Wild organization, working with the most successful coach in US Junior Hockey history and a staff that I have a great amount of respect for. I am looking forward to providing the best possible care for the athletes of the Wild in order to continue the great success that this organization has achieved in the BCHL.”
Penticton-Portage Trade:
The Terriers made their second trade of the summer moving 98F Ty Enns to the Penticton Vees of the BCHL for 99F Ocean Wiesblatt. Enns was a part of the 2016/17 Championship Terriers before playing 25 games in the NAHL last season for the Bismarck Bobcats where he lead the team in scoring. Enns finished last season with the Terriers putting up 31 points in 27 games. 19 year old Vancouver native Ocean Wiesblatt was traded to the Vees in December of last season from the Brooks Bandits. “Wiesblatt is a quick and hardworking player. He had a D1 scholarship to Vermont, but circumstances have since changed, so he will be working towards another scholarship opportunity.” Coach and GM Blake Spiller. The Terriers Organization would like to welcome Ocean to Portage and wish Ty well in Penticton.
Grizzlies To Honour Benn Brothers With Jersey Retirement Ceremony:
There are many formative platforms that go into elevating players to the National Hockey League. A crucial stage for Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jordie Benn was with the Victoria Grizzlies of the B.C. Hockey League. It was announced that Jamie’s No. 16 and Jordie’s No. 8 Grizzlies jerseys will be retired and will hang from the rafters of The Q Centre. The jerseys will be concurrently hoisted in a ceremony during the Grizzlies’ 2018-19 BCHL home opener Sept. 15 against the Penticton Vees. Because both siblings will be in their respective NHL training camps at that time, a pre-ceremony was held Wednesday at The Q Centre, with the brothers in attendance to receive the jerseys before they go up. Jamie Benn, a gold medallist for Canada at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, played one season for the Grizzlies but it was an impactful one on several levels. He scored 42 goals with 65 points in 53 regular-season games, adding five goals and nine points in 11 playoff games in 2006-07. “There were lots of good times here and that was a fun team with my linemates Tyler Bozak [now of the St. Louis Blues after nine NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs] and Garry Nunn [who went onto a pro career in the ECHL, AHL and Europe]. I am still in contact with several of the players,” said Jamie. The breakout numbers allowed Benn to get noticed by the Stars, who selected him with the bargain-basement 129th pick in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL draft. “Looking back now, Jamie could have easily gone first overall,” said brother Jordie, of the Stars’ draft steal of that decade. Both siblings, lightly regarded initially, are studies in perseverance. “It shows to stick with what you love, even if you have many doubters, because you never know what will happen,” said Jamie Benn, the 2014-15 Art Ross Trophy winner as NHL points scoring champion. None, however, was more so an example of fortitude than six-foot-two Jordie Benn, who played three seasons on the Grizzlies’ blue line, and graduated as captain of the team in 2007-08. Unheralded and undrafted, he went through the minor pros, starting in the ECHL with the hometown Victoria Salmon Kings. At last count, Jordie has played 392 NHL regular-season games with the Stars and, in the last two seasons, with the Montreal Canadiens. “My dad [former world and Pan Am Games gold-medallist national team softball player Randy Benn] said you have a dream, so go out and chase it,” said Jordie. “I owe everything to him.” And also a lot to the Grizzlies. “This was the perfect place for me to start. I learned so much,” said Jordie, who turns 31 today. Added 29-year-old Jamie: “I couldn’t have done it without everyone in this Grizzlies organization. It was that key step up for me from the Panthers [Peninsula of the Island Junior Hockey League]. It’s definitely going to be an honour to have my jersey up in the rafters with Jordie’s and other great players.” Perhaps most memorably for the brothers, they got to play together during Jamie’s season with the Grizzlies before he went onto two seasons in the major-junior Western Hockey League with the Kelowna Rockets and winning a gold medal with Canada in the 2009 world junior championship. “That’s what made that [2006-07 Grizzlies] season an absolute blast, and so special,” said Jordie Benn. “I thought playing together would never happen again, but we did again in Dallas.” Soon, their Grizzlies jerseys will be together again at the top of The Q Centre. “We’re a grassroots organization,” said Grizzlies president Lance Black. With some big-time alumni. “When new players [being recruited] learn that players like Jamie and Jordie Benn and Tyler Bozak played for this organization, they start to think that they want to play for our organization, too.”
Eagles Name Schaefer New Assistant Coach:
The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club is proud to announce that Peter Schaefer will be returning behind the bench for the 2018-19 BCHL season as an assistant coach. Schaefer served as the team’s head coach and general manager during the 2013-14 season, and was also an assistant coach for one season before that. He joins head coach Brandon West‘s staff alongside assistant coach Linden Saip. During 2013-14, Schaefer led the Eagles to a 53-point, 25-30-1-2 season, powered by star forward Danton Heinen. The team finished fourth in the Mainland Division and earned a playoff berth. “You can’t not appreciate Peter’s playing experience and we’ve seen that he’s a great instructor, as well,” general manager Blaine Neufeld told the Peace Arch News about the hiring. “We hope he can share his experience and expertise with our boys.” “[Owner Chuck Westgard] has obviously kept that relationship and that allowed us to approach Peter this summer to see if there was any interest,” Neufeld explained. “And the response was that he was eager to do it, so that was exciting for our group.” Schaefer, a native of Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, suited up for the Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins in his NHL playing career. He recorded a total of 572 games, scoring 99 goals and added 162 assists. The Eagles will be hitting the ice on August 20th for training camp, with exhibition dates to be announced soon. The season officially kicks off on September 7th at home against the Coquitlam Express. Season tickets and special 5-game ticket packs are available now!
Surrey-Brampton Trade:
Surrey Eagles acquire rights to defenseman Matt Barnes (98) from Brampton (OJHL) for future considerations. Barnes had 13-25-38 and 158 PIM in 111 NAHL games with Topeka over the last two seasons.
Beland Leaves Trail Smoke Eaters:
Trail Smoke Eaters Athletic Therapist, Michelle Béland has decided to leave her position with the team in order to remain close to her family. Michelle joined the team this past year and was a valuable addition to our group throughout the season and in the playoffs. Michelle brought her skill, knowledge and positive attitude to the Smoke Eaters organization and all players and staff enjoyed working with her. Though we are disappointed to see her leave, the team would like to thank Michelle for her time and wish her success in her new endeavors. Michelle can’t wait to catch up with the team on the road and wishes them a healthy and successful season.
Penticton-Okotoks Trade:
The Penticton Vees have announced they have traded 1998-born goaltender Nolan Hildebrand to the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. Hildebrand, from Calgary, spent the past two seasons with the Vees posting a 17-6-0 record with a 2.69 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. In 2017-18, the 6’2’’ Hildebrand played in 19 games with an 11-3-0 record, .910 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average. “Nolan was a great ambassador for our program on and off the ice for the past two seasons,” Vees head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson said. “He worked extremely hard and brought a lot of energy to our group. This move will give him an opportunity to play a lot of games in his 20-year-old season.” He was a member of the Vees 2017 Fred Page Cup championship team.
Coquitlam-Surrey Trade:
The Coquitlam Express have acquired forward Chase Danol (99) from the Surrey Eagles in exchange for forward Eric Linell (98). Danol comes to the Express with a commitment to Bowling Green University. The upcoming 2018-19 season will be Danol’s second in the BCHL. Last season in Surrey he had 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in 52 games. He then added 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 13 playoff games as the Eagles lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Prince George Spruce Kings. The newest member of the Express feels there is plenty of potential to showcase his ability in Coquitlam. “I do believe strongly this an opportunity for this coming season to show what I haven’t been able to show yet.” says Danol. “Chase is a player we believe will come in and help us immediately. He is a player that former teammates speak really highly of and brings a strong work ethic on and off the ice. As a rookie last season he may not have had the ice time or confidence to produce big numbers but after a season under his belt we feel he can be a major contributor.” says Express GM and Head Coach Jason Fortier. This trade reunites Chase, a Westland, Michigan native with Express forward Josh Wildauer who is also from the Michigan area. They were teammates previously with the Oakland Jr Grizzlies during the 2016-17 season, and the Victory Honda U16 and Belle Tire Bantam programs in previous seasons. “We are fortunate to be able to add a player like Chase considering Eric was scheduled to begin school at UConn next season but something changed and he will be heading there in 2019. We would have welcomed Eric back if he wanted to return but he spoke with us and asked for a change of scenery. We respect Eric’s decision and appreciate the effort he gave to the Express last season, but now it is time to move forward and continue building for this upcoming season. After Eric requested a trade, we spoke to several teams about him and Surrey made us a few offers. We wanted to acquire Chase and the deal would not get done unless we could add him. The deal is good for both sides and we are thrilled to add a player like Chase to the Express family.” Fortier adds.
Penticton-Bonnyville-Portage Trade:
The Penticton Vees have announced they have acquired 1999-born forward Ryan Miotto from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs in a three-team deal. To complete the deal, the Vees sent 1999-born forward Ocean Wiesblatt to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Portage Terriers in exchange for 1998-born forward Ty Enns. Enns was then sent to Bonnyville for Miotto. Miotto, from Thorold, Ontario, spent the 2017-18 season with the Chilliwack Chiefs scoring nine goals with 12 assists in 57 games. He added two goals in five post-season games. He was a member of the Chiefs RBC Cup championship in May, being held pointless in six games, and was traded to Bonnyville by Chilliwack June 15. The 5’10’’, 173-pound forward has an NCAA commitment to Canisius College for the 2019-20 season. Wiesblatt was signed by the Vees as a free agent December 14 of last season and appeared in 16 games with Penticton, recording one assist.
West Kelowna-Spruce Grove Trade:
The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced on Saturday that the team has acquired goaltender Hayden Missler (’99) as well as defenseman Tyler Pang (’99) from the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in exchange for defenseman Cory Babichuk (’98) and future considerations. Missler, 19, finished up his first season of Junior ‘A’ hockey playing with the Saints for the later part of the 2018/19 season. The 5’11”, 165-pound netminder started the season with the Wainwright Bisons of the North Eastern Alberta Junior ‘B’ Hockey League (NEAJBHL), compiling a 5-1 record along with a 2.82 GAA and a .914 SV% in 6 games with the Bisons before being picked up by the Saints in November. The Wainwright, Alberta native played in 21 games with the Saints, working towards a 14-3-1 record accompanied by a 2.45 GAA and a .902 SV% along with two shutouts. Missler was a part of the Saints run to the AJHL Championship in 2018 including the five-game setback to the BCHL Champion Wenatchee Wild in the Doyle Cup. Pang, 19, is no stranger to British Columbia as the Victoria, BC native spent time with the South Island Royals of the BC Major Midget League as well as playing with the Peninsula Panthers and the Victoria Cougars in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) before making his way to Alberta to play Junior ‘A’ hockey. The 6’0”, 160-pound defender split last season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders and the Olds Grizzlys in the AJHL, beginning the season with the Crusaders, tallying 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 26 games. After a trade to Olds, Pang registered 8 assists in 16 games along with 16 penalty minutes. Babichuk, 19, was acquired by the Warriors from the Surrey Eagles on July 12th in exchange for forward Chase Stevenson (’99). The Edmonton, BC native split last season between the Eagles and the Central Illinois Flying Aces of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Beginning the season south of the border, Babichuk had two assists in eight games played before making his way back to Surrey, where he spent the 2016/17 season. The 5’10”, 175-pound defender had a goal and eight assists for nine points in 18 games with the Eagles while earning an assist in two playoff games. The 2018/19 regular season schedule has been released with West Kelowna opening their season with a home-and-home against the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday, September 7th. The home opener for the Warriors comes on Saturday, September 8th when they host the Smoke Eaters.
Wenatchee-Buffalo Trade:
The Buffalo Jr Sabres have acquired 01 Defensemen Nick Kent from the Wenatchee Wild. Nick played over 30 games with the 2018 BCHL Champion Wild.
Lumberjacks Sign Tallarico:
The NOJHL Hearst Lumberjacks are proud to announce the signing of lightning quick goalie Nic Tallarico. Tallarico spent last season in the BCHL with Salmon Arm, Langley & Surrey. Coach Lafleur is happy that Nic has decided to join the Lumberjacks and team up with Tomi Gagnon to form arguably the best tandem in the NOJHL. Welcome Nic.
Trail Names Lorlak New Assistant Coach:
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