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:

Hora Ready To Add Physical presence To Bulldogs Lineup:

Just prior to trade deadline last season Head Coach Matt Hughes made a deal that raised a few eyebrows when he sent Ryan Steele to West Kelowna in exchange for Spencer Hora but the coaches decision was vindicated when the fans saw how effective Hora was as a physical defenseman. Hora, who hails from Kelowna, BC has already suited up for 105 BCHL games with the majority of those  from when he played in Salmon Arm was excited when he got the news he was traded to the Bulldogs “Whenever I played in the Dogs rink as the opposing team I could always feel the good vibes from the fans and the atmosphere is one of the best in the BCHL, so I was thrilled when I found out I was coming here.” Hora said. Coach Hughes has had a goal since the end of last season and it was to make the backend bigger and stronger and Hora will help lead that crew alongside returning and newly acquired players. Personally for Hora this season he hopes to talk to more schools “I want to get closer to hopefully earning myself a scholarship while still becoming a better player everyday and doing more in the community with the team.”

2018-19 Outlook With Vees New Recruit Mussio:

Devon Mussio has been on skates as long as he can remember. The 19-year-old defenceman from Vancouver has been playing hockey for the last 16 years all thanks to his dad who put him on skates when he was just two years old. “My dad used to play in Trail and then later at the University of British Columbia,” Mussio explained. “My dad played against Ray Ferraro and his uncle played against the Niedermayer’s, so it’s kind of funny that Jackson Niedermayer is going to be on the Vees this year.” Mussio also played soccer and was a speed skater as a child too but gravitated more towards hockey as he got older. In a big city like Vancouver, Junior ‘A’ hockey can take a back seat to the National Hockey League. It wasn’t until later in life that Mussio discovered the BCHL and wanted to be a part of it. “When my friends and I were young we would play the NHL video games and, and they had the Western Hockey League teams in them,” Mussio explained. “We used to all want to play in the WHL. I was lucky enough to not have to move away from home for hockey and when I got into high school, I was getting really good marks because St. George’s was so focused on academics. I knew I was a late bloomer and the BCHL would be the best way for me to grow my game.” As a 16-year-old, Mussio made the jump to junior hockey with the Delta Ice Hawks of the Pacific Junior Hockey League. After attending a plethora of camps leading up to the season, Mussio said he felt more prepared to become a full-time junior player. That year he also affiliated with the Surrey Eagles for two games. The first one just so happened to be in a special place for his family. “I thought my first game was going to be in Salmon Arm, but my AP card didn’t go through,” Mussio explained. “I didn’t find out until like five minutes before the game. So my first game ended up being in Trail, which was really cool because that’s where my dad grew up and my grandparents are from there. My family all came to watch that game so that was pretty special.” For the 2016-17 season Mussio was able to make the jump to the BCHL, playing in 55 of the Coqutilam Express’s 58 games. He recorded seven assists over the year and says while the team didn’t have a ton of success, it was a big change for him. “We started off the year pretty well, right around .500 for the first 20 games,” Mussio recalled. “Hanging out with all the older players and going on long road trips, playing in front of rinks with big crowds, it was a lot of fun. We came to Penticton that year with like seven AP’s, but we were all excited for that game because of the huge crowd. We lost 5-2 but we were honestly pretty happy with that result.” After not recording a goal through his first 96 BCHL games, the milestone moment finally came January 17 of last season. Though it wasn’t exactly how Mussio thought it would go. “We were beating up on Surrey pretty badly that game,” he said. “We got a power play late, and I never really played on the power play, so our coach put me and my defence partner at forward. Off the faceoff he got the puck and took a shot, and it went off my skate and into the net.” Going so long in between goals, regardless of position, is something that undoubtedly comes with friendly banter from teammates. It was no different for Mussio and the Express. “I had such bad puck luck that year and they were getting on my case pretty good,” he said with a laugh. “They all kept telling me a puck was going to have to go off my ass and into the net for me to get one.” Mussio finished the season with a goal and 11 assists in 56 games. The Express showed a huge improvement after the hiring of Jason Fortier as their new head coach, making the Fred Page Cup playoffs and setting up a first-round matchup against the Vees. Despite going in as massive underdogs, Mussio says he and his teammates couldn’t wait for that series. “The crowd fires up the home team, but I think it also gets the away team going a little bit,” Mussio said. “We only lost the first game 2-1. We were really excited because it gave us a chance to play in front of a really big crowd that wanted to watch.” The Vees went on to sweep the series, ending Mussio’s season. Mid July it was announced the Vees were bringing Mussio on board for the 2018-19 season. It’s a situation that Mussio still has trouble believing is actually happening. “It’s surreal, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “I think once I get there and kind of look around I’ll realize that I’m actually there. It just feels like a really good dream right now.” Mussio can now quickly get used to seeing huge crowds regularly, and not just when he’s on the road.

Trail Smoke Eaters Name Scafe-Pozzobon New Broadcaster:

The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to announce Dustin Scafe-Pozzobon as the team’s Play-by-Play Announcer for the upcoming 2018-19 season.  Scafe-Pozzobon, 27, swapped his hockey stick for a microphone 8 years ago and has never looked back. He began his broadcasting career with the KIJHL’s Sicamous Eagles, before moving to his first Junior-A opportunity with the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks. Dustin’s most notable achievement was the opportunity to work with Hockey Canada and TSN at the 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon. The former Marketing Manager and Voice of the Merritt Centennials is excited to call Trail home and looks forward to bringing fans to the edge of their seats for years to come, adding “What has taken place in Trail over the last few seasons is incredible, and the support of the community has proven to be second-to-none in the BCHL. To do something I am so passionate toward in a city filled with energy motivates me to work tirelessly to give the best fans in the league the best broadcast and coverage in the league.” “We are thrilled to have Dustin join the Smoke Eaters as our new play-by-play broadcaster,” said Smoke Eaters Director of Hockey & Business Operations, Craig Clare. “Dustin is a talented broadcaster, who brings a wide array of skills to our organization, while also being extremely passionate and knowlegeable about both our team and the BCHL. Fans will also be excited as they will now have an opportunity to listen to the team’s road games live.” Last season’s Smoke Eaters Play-by-Play Announcer, Wylie Henderson can still be heard calling games in the East Kootenay, where he relocated this past spring to become the News Director for 102.9-FM, The Drive. The entire Smoke Eaters organization thank Wylie for his years of service with the team and wish him the very best in his career.

Bowen Returning To Chilliwack:

The Kelowna Rockets will have one, but not both of the Bowen brothers on their roster this season and in the fold when training camp opens on Friday. Ryan Bowen, an over-age winger who has WHL experience from previous stints with Moose Jaw and Lethbridge, is reporting to camp in hopes of earning one of Kelowna's three 20-year-old spots for the 2018-19 campaign. Ryan was acquired by the Rockets ahead of last season's trade deadline, on Jan. 8, but opted to finish the season with his hometown Chilliwack Chiefs — helping the BCHL club capture the RBC Cup national Junior A championship as the tournament host in May. As it stands, Ryan is one of only two over-agers on Kelowna's roster, along with big defenceman Braydyn Chizen. Goaltender Brodan Salmond would have been the third, but he was released in the off-season and is now auditioning at Moose Jaw's camp. That's the good news on the Bowen front. The bad news is younger brother Ethan — the Rockets' top pick from the 2017 bantam draft, a second-rounder (39th overall) who was widely considered a top-10 talent in his age class at the time — will be staying in Chilliwack. He plans on playing his 16-year-old season for the Chiefs, who he debuted with last season as a 15-year-old affiliate — suiting up for a total of six games through the regular season and playoffs, including two at the RBC Cup tournament where Ethan tallied two points (one goal, one assist). Ethan, who attended Hockey Canada's camp for the World Under-17 Challenge this summer, is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2020-21 season and wanted to maintain that NCAA eligibility while continuing to weigh the options for his playing future. That college commitment is what scared off teams picking in the first round of last year's WHL bantam draft, but Ethan hasn't ruled out the major-junior route and could still join Kelowna as a 17-year-old next season — especially if the Rockets are successful in their bid to host the 2020 Memorial Cup. That decision will be made by the WHL board of governors at their Oct. 3 meeting, with Victoria, Kamloops and Lethbridge also in the running. Steve Bowen, their father, confirmed the intentions of both brothers in a Twitter conversation on Wednesday evening. With regards to Ryan, he wrote: “Ryan will play in Kelowna. He's excited, and I think with his experience in the league and a national championship last season, he can help with what looks to be a rebuilding roster.” The Rockets were able to get Ryan's rights from Lethbridge for an eighth-round pick in the 2019 bantam draft. As for Ethan, he met with Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton and head coach Jason Smith a couple times over the summer but decided to stay the course in Chilliwack for another season. “The lure right now of North Dakota at 18, and the fact in his 16-year-old season both the WHL and BCHL will provide him all the challenge he can handle, we just thought as a family we kind of have another year to really make up our minds,” wrote Steve, adding: “Being 16, in both leagues, is a tough challenge even for the top young guys. Next summer will be much harder to decide on, as 17 is the latest you come into the WHL as a young player. . . . “I know enough about the game not to think too far ahead as things change in this game, but for now he’ll start as a 16 in the BCHL and we’ll reassess if something happens or at the conclusion of the season.” By no means have the Bowens closed the door on the WHL option for Ethan, which Steve reiterated several times. They are also keen on Kelowna owning Ethan's rights should he make the move to major junior. “We have nothing but great things to say about them and the organization,” Steve wrote of their interactions with Hamilton and Smith. “Definitely, it is not a WHL or Kelowna Rockets issue. It is extending your development cycle in college, and at this age we believe it is important to still keep options open if we can. And with our feeling that Ethan’s development as a 16-year-old is fine either way (in either league, the BCHL or WHL), then we don’t feel compelled to go 'all in' on any particular direction. YET.” Of course, Steve and Ethan Bowen can also evaluate from afar based on Ryan's experience in Kelowna. That will give them a sneak peak into the Rockets' organization as this season plays out, assuming Ryan solidifies his spot as an over-ager. Ryan, who is listed at 6-foot-2.5 and 175 pounds, started last season in Lethbridge, playing 13 games for the Hurricanes and producing six points (one goal, five assists). Shortly after his 19th birthday in December, Ryan left Lethbridge and returned home to Chilliwack, where he played 17 regular-season games with the Chiefs and recorded 10 points (six goals, four assists) before adding four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 playoff games counting the RBC Cup. Ryan has played parts of four seasons in the WHL, totalling 143 regular-season games with 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists) and 55 penalty minutes, plus 23 playoff contests with three points (two goals, one assist) and four penalty minutes. Among his goal total, Ryan has scored five on the power play and one shorthanded as well as four game-winners. Ryan was originally a fifth-round pick (95th overall) by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2013 bantam draft.

2018-19 Outlook With Penticton Vees Newly Acquired Snell:

Mason Snell and his teammates made it all the way to final game of the Canadian Junior Hockey League season. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t end in a victory as the Wellington Dukes dropped a 4-2 game to the Chilliwack Chiefs in the RBC Cup final May 20. “Watching those guys celebrate and seeing the fans go wild, you know you were that close to winning something special,” Snell said. “It really does suck. I felt like I always had that in the back of my head all summer while I was training so that we can all come here and try to win something special for the city of Penticton.” The 2000-born defenceman enters his third season of junior hockey looking for another championship before he hits the NCAA ranks at Penn State University next season. Upon learning Snell’s father, Chris, had a 12-year professional hockey career, including 34 NHL games, it’s not surprising how much of an impact his father has had on his career. “I definitely got into hockey because of my dad,” Snell said. “He was a defenceman too so having him there to help me and give me pointers on how to play the position has been a big help for me.” Chris has been a scout in the Winnipeg Jets organization since the 2011-12 season. While Snell is now an established defenceman, he didn’t make the transition to the backend until just a few short seasons ago. “I didn’t start playing defence until minor bantam,” Snell explained. “I was always a forward growing up, but it wasn’t really working out for me. I played a few games on defence and I really liked it. When you’re a forward there’s always players all around you. As a defenceman I can see where everyone is, and I find that a lot easier to make plays.” The late change in position clearly didn’t hamper Snell’s development, as he garnered interest from both the Ontario Hockey League and NCAA as the years progressed. After being drafted 54^thoverall by the North Bay Batallion in 2016, Snell didn’t want to jump to a rash decision on his future. “To be honest, I never really thought about the NCAA as a kid,” Snell admitted. “Growing up in the Oshawa area, the Generals are right there, and you grow up watching them. Everyone always talks about the OHL and that draft is a big moment for kids in Ontario. I didn’t start thinking about the NCAA until my first year in Whitby.” After speaking to Penn State during the OJHL showcase, Snell took a visit to the campus a few weeks later and committed shortly after. It was officially announced December 6, 2016. After a rookie season with Whitby which saw Snell score three goals with 13 assists in 45 games, Snell began the following season with Whitby before a move was made in late October. Moved to the Dukes, Snell skated in 30 regular season games with five goals and 11 assists. He also represented Team Canada East at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia. Heading into the OJHL playoffs as the second seed in the North East Conference, the Dukes fought through two seven-game series before beating Aurora in five to advance to the league final. The Dukes finished it off in dramatic fashion, winning game six against Georgetown in overtime to claim the Buckland Cup. “If you have the chance to win a series like that, you want to do it,” Snell said. “Game seven is never a for sure thing that you’re going to win and we wanted to make sure it was over then. Winning it like that was really cool.” Following the OJHL championship, the Dukes advanced to the Dudley Hewitt Cup, which features champions from the OJHL, SIJHL and NOJHL along with a host to determine who advances to the RBC Cup. Snell says after winning the OJHL league title, there was never any doubt the Dukes would make it to Chilliwack. “I think we all had in our heads that we were the team there that was going to win it,” he said. “We all really wanted to get to Chilliwack because that’s a once in a lifetime experience.” Sure enough, the Dukes defeated the Thunder Bay North Stars 6-3 in the semi-final before a 7-4 triumph over the Dryden Ice Dogs to secure their spot in Chilliwack. Considering the OJHL doesn’t draw the same level of fan support as leagues out west, the adjustment to the spotlight and big crowds could be a little overwhelming to players who aren’t used to it. Luckily for Snell, he had experienced that at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and was able to help his teammates. “I think it was a lot easier for me to adjust than maybe some of my teammates,” Snell said. “But really none of that matters. All we have to do is perform on the ice whether there’s three people in the stands or 3,000.” After winning just one game during the round robin, a 3-2 overtime win against the Steinbach Pistons, the Dukes had the unenviable task of matching up against the Wenatchee Wild in the semi-final. Perhaps a mismatch on paper, the Dukes pulled off the huge upset with a 2-1 victory, despite being outshot 51-14. “That was definitely the most exhausting game I’ve ever played in,” Snell said with a laugh.” Our goalie, Jonah Capriotti, stood on his head and I have no other reason why we won that game. We saw him playing like that and tried to help him out as much as we could.” Snell’s rights were moved from the Dukes to the Powell River Kings, before the Vees reached a deal a month later to bring him to Penticton. A move that kick-started his excitement for a new season. “In Junior ‘A’, where ever you go, everyone knows the Penticton Vees,” Snell said. “They’ve never not had a good team in recent years and this is a place where a lot of guys want to play. It’s a special atmosphere and a special place and I’m looking forward to getting started. I want to be an uplifting guy in the room and on the bench. I really care about my defensive zone, I think that’s something I pride myself in.” Snell and his teammates hit for the first time as a team today, as training camps around the BCHL get underway.

Coquitlam-Cowichan Trade:

2000-born defenceman Doug Scott has been traded to the Cowichan Capitals for future considerations. Scott recorded 2 goals and 2 assists, along with 65 penalty minutes in 57 games played last season. Doug was a great teammate and will be missed by the Express organization.