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:
Chilliwack-Salmon Arm Trade:
The Chiefs have acquired 19 year old defenseman Max Wutzke from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for future considerations. Wutzke, from Calgary Alberta, was in this third season with the Silverbacks where he appeared in 98 regular season games scoring twice and adding 15 assists. “Max is a hard working player that can cover a lot of ice with his skating ability,’ said Chiefs General Manager and Head Coach Brian Maloney. “He’s a kid that rarely gets out worked, which will fit nicely into our team concept. Maloney felt that going with just six defensemen wasn’t the way to go. “As a staff we felt that we needed to add another defenseman. We were going with six and if we want to be a team that goes deep into playoffs we will need more depth.”
Torzsok Returns To Clippers:
Former Nanaimo Clippers Hunor Torzsok is returning to play for the Clippers. Hunor played 10 games for the Clippers last season before he went to play for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. In this 10 games he had three goals and six minutes in penalties.
“Hunor provides us with another big body player with a high skill set, whom likes to compete in the greasy areas” stated Clippers’ coach Darren Naylor.
Surrey-Trail Trade:
The Surrey Eagles have acquired goaltender Hayden Missler and defenceman Jeremy Smith as part of a three-team trade completed on Friday. The Trail Smoke Eaters have acquired forward Chase Stevenson, and the Powell River Kings have acquired defenceman Ethan Martini to round out the rest of the deal. The 1999-born Missler appeared in 10 games this season with the Powell River Kings, posting a .915 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against-average. Listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Missler joins goaltenders Cayden Bailey and Kyle Dumba in the crease for the Eagles. Smith is a 1998-born first-year BCHL player, who split last season between the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the North American Hockey League. An offensive defenceman, Smith recorded five goals and six assists in 21 games this season with the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Penticton-Central Illinois Trade:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the acquisition of 1999-born defenceman Carson Kosobud from the USHL’s Central Illinois Flying Aces in exchange for future considerations. In a separate deal, 2000-born forward Matthew Byrne has been traded to the Powell River Kings, also for future considerations. Kosobud, from Moorhead, Minnesota, played 14 games with the Flying Aces this season recording three assists. In 2017-18 he played the majority of the season with the Brookings Blizzard in the North American Hockey League, appearing in 34 games with two goals and nine assists. The 6’, 190-pound defender comes to Penticton with a scholarship to Arizona State University. “With the unfortunate news of losing Conner Hutchison for the remainder of the season, it was imperative to find a player that could fill that void,” Vees head coach, general manager and President Fred Harbinson said. “Carson is a smooth skater that can move pucks through traffic and will be a great addition to our backend.” Kosobud will join his teammates in Vancouver this weekend and wear number 18. Byrne, from Penticton, played in 25 games with the Vees this season scoring once and adding two assists. “We wanted to give Matthew an opportunity where he could play a more significant role once we get healthy up front,” said Harbinson. “We knew that wouldn’t be the case here. I wish him the best in Powell River.”
Prince George Extends Contract Of Evin:
The Prince George Spruce Kings have solidified their Hockey Operations department through the end of the 2020/2021 season as Associate Coach and Director of Player Personnel Alex Evin has inked a 2-year extension. A former BCHL Champion and BCHL Goaltender of the Year, Evin is in his 2nd season with the Spruce Kings. Evin attended Colgate University where he played for the Raiders. He will continue to work alongside Head Coach Adam Maglio, who signed a 2-year extension earlier this season. “I am very excited and honoured to be part of this organization moving forward. Working with Mike and Adam has been great and we hope to continue our program’s success moving forward,” said Evin. General Manager Mike Hawes, who himself has two years remaining on his contract, had high praise for Alex. “We are excited to get Alex under contract for two more years. His work with our players and goaltenders over the past two seasons has been tremendous. His work ethic and commitment to our program is perfectly in line with what we are trying to achieve. Having all hockey operations staff now under contract for the next couple of seasons will provide our organization with stability and continuity moving forward,” said Hawes.
Surrey Eagles Name Saip Interim Head Coach:
The Surrey Eagles have named Linden Saip as the interim head coach, and have hired former Campbell River Storm head coach and general manager Lee Stone as an assistant coach. Peter Schaefer has officially been relieved of his duties. “We’re all very excited,” Saip told SurreyEagles.ca “The task is going to be large, but we have the right guys surrounding this group. There’s a lot of experience here, both coaching and playing. For the players, it’s nice to know there’s a committed group in the coach’s office.” Saip, 27, takes the reigns as head coach in his second season with the team. A former Eagles player, he appeared in 81 games as a defenceman from 2010-2012. He also had a lengthy Western Hockey League career, appearing in almost 150 games with the Vancouver Giants and Kamloops Blazers – as well as 60 games of USports hockey with the UBC Thunderbirds. As an assistant coach last season, he was an integral part of the Eagles making their most successful playoff run in recent memory. “I think it all comes down to culture,” Saip said, detailing his plan to get the team back on track. “We need to re-establish what this organization is all about. What our team is about, how we want to play. The staff, ownership, management – we’re all on the same page on how we want this organization to be run now. I think it’s already starting to show.” Associate coach Brad Tobin will now be accompanied by Lee Stone, who immediately steps into his new role. During Stone’s six-year tenure with the VIJHL’s Campbell River Storm, they won three league championships and appeared in the Cyclone Taylor Cup four times. Stone, a Surrey native, also sports a career .750 winning percentage at the junior ‘B’ level. “I think Lee is going to be excellent,” said Saip about his new staff member. “He’s a player’s coach and he’s going to hold guys accountable. I’ve gotten to know him over the last few days and I’m ecstatic that he’s joining our group.” “He’s a hard-worker. He’s probably never going to leave the rink, from what I hear. He’s exactly what we’ve been missing: A dedicated guy that is able to stay out and work with players, and a different voice for our forward group.” The 30-year-old Stone has BCHL playing experience as well, appearing in three games with the Merritt Centennials in 2008-09, and played collegiately for Arizona State University in 2009-2010. “I’m super excited to be involved,” Stone said, speaking to SurreyEagles.ca about his new position. “It’s exciting to see that we’re all on the same page. We all want to right the ship and get back in the win column consistently. I think we have the right group here now, and the dressing room. I’m excited to get going.” It wasn’t an easy decision for Stone to leave Campbell River, a community in which he lived in for six years, but an opportunity to coach in his hometown of Surrey was too good to pass up. “It was tough getting in the car and driving out of Campbell River. It was strange, no question, but to have an opportunity now with my home town team – I don’t think you can draw it up better than that.” All players react to a coaching change differently, but the mood in the Eagles dressing room is positive. The team has played some of their best hockey as of late, and have praised coach Saip for both his professionalism and hard work at practice. “I think the team needed a boost,” assistant captain Cody Schiavon said. “It’s always tough to see someone go, but that’s a part of the sport. Hopefully we can take it as a bit of a wake-up call and are able to take the next step because of it.” “Linden has been a part of our team for a while now, he’s very familiar with this group. He brings a lot of experience, both playing and coaching, so it will be a smooth transition and everyone in the room is looking forward to it.” Defenceman Matthew Barnes echoed Schiavon’s sentiments: “We’re all looking forward to Linden taking over the head coach position. I think his energy level is the biggest thing, and he has a great system structure for us out on the ice. The guys just needed a fresh start.” After a poor start, the Eagles are now focused on turning things around quickly. There’s half a season left, and the race for the playoffs begins now in the minds of the Eagles players and coaching staff. “I think there’s a lot of time left, by no means are we out of the playoff hunt,” said Saip. “Once we get a few more guys back in our lineup, which is happening soon, things are going to click. Without a doubt, guys believe in here that we will be playing playoff hockey and anything can happen in the playoffs. We just have to commit to the process and commit every single day.” “The staff is ready to put everything they have into it, and we expect the same from our players.”
Clippers Name Campbell New Director Of Business Operations:
The Nanaimo Clippers have announced the hiring of Nanaimo native, Tali Campbell, as the Hockey Club’s new Director of Business Operations, effective January 1st 2019. Campbell, who is no stranger to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), spending the past 16 months with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL as the Director of Business Operations. Previously, he had stints with the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) and the Clippers. His work life since graduation from high school has focused on the BCHL. Wes Mussio, the sole owner of the Nanaimo Clippers noted: “I am thrilled to bring Tali back home to Nanaimo. I am impressed with his efforts in Port Alberni and believe he will do an excellent job advancing the Clipper brand in the harbour city. To me, it was an easy hire as he has a great reputation of being one of the best business operation employees in junior hockey.” Campbell will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day business operations of the Hockey Club, providing support to many facets of the organization including financial management, sales & marketing, promotions and game-day events. “I’m excited to get back to where it all started for me,” says Campbell. “My job right away is to make sure the Clippers return to being an important part of the community and that sponsors, fans, billets and others feel appreciated. I look forward to meeting fans, sponsors, volunteers and everyone else who bleeds Orange.”
Trail-Brooks Trade:
The Trail Smoke Eaters Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Saturday the team has traded goaltender Tanner Marshall (’00) to the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in exchange for future considerations. Marshall, 18, was in his second season as a member of the Smoke Eaters, playing in 27 career games with the club. The 6’0”, 170-pound netminder posted an 11-10 record to go along with a 4.11 goals against average and a .877 save percentage in his time in a Smoke Eaters jersey. The Kelowna, BC native played in 9 games this season, registering a 2-4 record along with a 3.22 GAA and an .884 SV%. Before his time with the Smoke Eaters, Marshall played in 30 games with the Kelowna Chiefs of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), finishing with a 3.07 GAA and a .911 SV%. “Tanner came to me earlier in the week and requested a trade and was looking for an opportunity to have a bigger role,” commented Smoke Eaters General Manager and Head Coach Jeff Tambellini, “It’s always difficult to lose a player like Tanner but we’re always looking for a way to help our players develop and we wish him nothing but success in Brooks.” The Smoke Eaters would like to thank Tanner for his time with the team and his involvement with the City of Trail and wish him the best with the Bandits.
Victoria-Surrey Trade:
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