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:

Tongue & Kennedy Commit To Clippers For 2019-20 Season:

The Nanaimo Clippers have announced Devan Tongue and Mike Kennedy have both committed to play for the team for the 2019/2020 BCHL Season. Tongue, who is committed to Bentley University for the 2020-2021 season has spent the last three years at Northfield Mount Hermon (NE Prep), and led the team in scoring the last two seasons with 81 points in 60 games. This season Tongue in 21 games has already posted 33 points. “Tongue is a power forward who we are really looking forward to having on our team.” Mentioned Darren Naylor, Nanaimo Clippers Head Coach and General Manager “He will certainly make a difference in our lineup.” Tongue decided to commit to Nanaimo because of its history of developing players “I know the coaching staff have a vision to develop players to the next level and that is where i’d like to be.” Devan Tongue said. Mike Kennedy who is committed to Princeton University for the 2020-2021 season is a defensemen in his fourth year with Northfield Mount Hermon. He has captained the team for the past two seasons including the teams best season in history. On top of that he has also posted 79 points from the blueline. “Kennedy is a leader on and off the ice and can contribute offensively during games, which is what we like to see from our guys.” Darren Naylor commented “We are excited to have him joining our team.” Kennedy like Tongue chose Nanaimo because of the coaching staffs vision “Nanaimo Coaching Staff have a great reputation and I feel like I will fit in well. I know the BCHL is a great league and has a strong track record of getting player ready for college and beyond.” Kennedy mentioned. The Nanaimo Clippers would like to welcome both Tongue and Kennedy to the Organization and wish them the best of luck in the rest of the season.

Bosse Commits To Alberni Valley Bulldogs For 2019-20 Season:

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are pleased to announce that 2001-born forward Jacob Bossé has committed to join the team for the 2019/20 British Columbia Hockey League season. Bossé is from Longueuil, Quebec and currently plays for Bishop’s College Prep in the Midwest Prep Hockey League’s U18 Division, where he is tied for the team lead in scoring with six goals and 13 points in 15 regular season games. He was previously a draft pick of the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens in 2017. “Jacob is a forward with dynamic skill and speed who has established himself as a top player at the prep school level,” says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. “We see him as a young man who can step right into our lineup and make a positive impact offensively. He’s also a hard worker who is determined to keep getting better and achieve his goal of earning an NCAA scholarship.” Before suiting up for Bishop’s College, Bossé spent the previous two seasons with Collège Charles-Lemoyne in the Quebec Midget AAA League, scoring 12 goals and 29 points in 56 regular season games. “Over the past two years, playing in the BCHL has always been my dream,” says Bossé, who lists his  speed and hockey IQ are his most important skills. “Looking at how players grow and develop in the BCHL is exactly want I want for myself. Furthermore, to play with Alberni Valley Bulldogs will be great. The coaching staff, the players and the facilities all make it extremely special. To put the jersey on will be an honour because the program and fans look incredible!” “My main goal is to continue developing as a hockey player to reach my goal of playing in the NCAA. For next year, I just want to push myself every time I go on the ice to have a better work ethic and become a better player. I’m very selfless and I’m not scared to go in the corners and show my hard work. With the Bulldogs I will try to be a great teammate and show my dedication to helping my team improve.” Bossé will complete the 2018/19 season at Bishop’s College and join the Bulldogs for training camp in August.

Arquiette Commits To Capitals For 2019-20 Season:

The Cowichan Capitals are very pleased to announce that Will Arquiette has committed to play for the team for the upcoming season. The 5’9″ 165lb forward will join the Capitals from Northwood Prep School in Lake Placid New York. The 18 year old Brasher Falls, New York native has tallied 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 38 games played for Northwood Prep so far this season.  After completing his Junior ‘A’ career with the Capitals Will is committed to play NCAA Division 1 Hockey with the St. Lawrence Saints of the ECAC.  The Capitals would like to welcome Will to the Capitals Family and look forward to seeing him on the ice at Main Camp in August.

Didmon On Recruiting Quest In Ontario:

Victoria Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon is in his happy hunting ground this weekend scouting in the Toronto area. The eastern portion of North America has proved bountiful for the Grizzlies. Forward Alex Newhook, ranked for the first round of the 2019 NHL draft, is from St. John’s, N.L, and forward Alex Campbell, ranked for the second round of the NHL draft, and draft-projected blueliner Jeremie Bucheler are both from Montreal. The Chicago area has also provided a pipeline of talent to Victoria in the recent past, while Grizzlies forward Riley Hughes, selected in the 2018 NHL draft by the New York Rangers, is from Maine. “[Recruits] have heard about our four NHL-draft ranked players this year [the other is defenceman Carter Berger] and they want to come to Victoria,” Didmon said. “They know the names — Alex Newhook is having success and Alex Campbell has moved up the draft rankings — and that gives us a lot of traction. It’s not so much recruiting now as picking and choosing.” Didmon also said potential defence recruits are intrigued by the Grizzlies’ blueline ethic, which has helped in the development of players such as Bucheler and Berger. “Our defencemen get to experiment,” said Didmon, about what he stresses in his pitch. Recruiting is the lifeblood of Junior A, which is a free-agent brand of junior hockey. That is compared with major-junior, which builds its roster base through the bantam draft. “There are a lot of players out there looking for a place to play a season or two of junior before they go off to play in the [U.S. collegiate] NCAA,” Didmon said.

Henderson Records 200th Win:

Langley Rivermen's Head Coach/GM Bobby Henderson recorded his 200th career BCHL victory in a 6-2 victory over the Wenatchee Wild January 29th 2019.

Overland Commits To Wild For 2019-20 Season:

The Wenatchee Wild, proud member of the Interior Division of British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) are pleased to announce they have received a commitment for the 2019-20 season from Jerrett Overland (born April 5, 2001). Overland is currently playing with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks U18 (Tier1Elite) team, where he leads the Ducks and all defenseman Tier1Elite league defensemen with 18 points (5 goals 13 assists) in 19 games played. Overland made his NCAA commitment to The US Air Force Academy in September of 2018. Head Coach and General Manager Bliss Litter on Overland’s commitment, “We are excited about Jerrett’s commitment to the Wild. Jerrett will bring a solid set of skills and excellent mobility to our lineup. His skill and hockey sense will fit in well with our up-tempo style of play. His commitment to the Air Force Academy reinforces the type of character he has, and we are looking forward to adding him to our group. Overland on his opportunity with the Wild, “I am very excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to join a first-class organization that has a very experienced coaching staff that I know will prepare me for college hockey, I can’t wait to get started. The BCHL is one of the premier leagues in North America and has a good track record of development, and moving players on, I look forward to joining my new team and work towards another championship”. Welcome to Wenatchee Jerrett.

Harvie, Vincent, Trickett, Ho-Gills & Moorhead Commit To Clippers Spring Camp:

The Nanaimo Clippers Coaching Staff are preparing for the Junior Spring Hockey League U16 Program with the first round of commitments.

The first five players to commit to the U16 Nanaimo Clippers Spring Team all come from the Comox Bantam T1 Team

• Quinten Harvie – Forward
• Jordan Vincent – Forward
• Chay Trickett – Defensemen
• Kieran Ho-Gills – Defensemen
• Logan Moorhead – Goaltender
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Head Coach Darren Naylor is excited about this announcement “Firstly, kudos to the Comox Bantam T1 Program for developing players this season. The talent has risen a lot since the beginning of the year. On the five that have committed we are excited as we feel they are the kind of players we want for our Spring Program.” The Nanaimo Clippers U16 Spring Team won’t kick off game action until April but team practices will begin in March.

Thomas Commits To West Kelowna Warriors For 2019-20 Season:

The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the commitment of forward Grady Thomas(‘01) for the 2019-2020 season.  Thomas, 17, spent the past two seasons with the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Major Midget League(BCMML). The Williams Lake native racked up 19 goals and 38 assists in 66 games played all together with the Cougars. “We’re very happy and to have Grady committed for next season,” said Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Brandon West. “We feel that Grady is a smart 2-way player that will contribute to many areas of our team.”  Thomas attended the Warriors training camp earlier this season and stayed until the final cuts. The 5’10 160 pound forward returned to the BC Major Midget League adding a couple elements to his game, “I’ve really worked on speeding up my game” said Thomas. “Trying to make my hands faster to play at a faster level.” Thomas also added leadership to his resume becoming the Captain of the Cariboo Cougars. Thomas is excited to reunite with a couple familiar faces on the Warriors next season – former Cariboo Cougars forwards Mason Richey and Brandon Dent. “Mason and Brandon are good friends of mine. We had a great year together last season and I hope we can have another one next year.” Thomas gave credit to a handful of people for his success, “Obviously I have to thank my Mom for always supporting me whenever I needed it and my Dad for coaching, and pushing me my whole life. Also Tyrel Lucas who owns Total Ice training centre in Williams Lake, my coaches for the Cariboo Cougars, Tyler Brough, Rjay Berra, and Hayden Berra.” The Warriors would like to welcome Grady and his family to the City of West Kelowna and the Warriors organization.

Harbinson Collects 500th Victory With Vees:

Even with an important playoff battle on the horizon, Penticton Vees head coach, president, and general manager Fred Harbinson had an opportunity to reflect on his storied career after surpassing the 500-win mark in the final game of the regular season. His group earned it in shutout fashion as well, blanking the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-0 on February 23rd – securing top spot in the Interior Division and the Wally Forslund Trophy for lowest team goals-against-average in the process. “It’s cool because only three other guys have done it,” Harbinson said in an interview with BCHL.ca. “It’s neat being part of that.” The other three coaches to surpass the 500-win mark are legends in their own right: Longtime Powell River Kings coach Kent Lewis, Bill Bestwick, who coached multiple teams in the Island Division, and Harvey Smyl of the Chilliwack/Langley Chiefs. Vees owner and governor Graham Fraser didn’t hire Harbinson himself but after he acquired the franchise, he quickly came to realize the coach shared with him a common vision about where they wanted to take the program and how they would get there. “Philosophically, we’ve always been on the same page,” said Fraser. “We have high standards to run a very professional program, move kids on to college hockey, have them be active members in the community. “When those things align, it’s easy to work together. He’s very professional so I don’t have to micro manage him. I just stay out of his way.” For Harbinson, it isn’t the personal achievements that make his job worthwhile, it’s about the impact that he is able to make on each individual player’s life. His latest milestone served as a nice reminder of the positive influence that he has given to many of his players over the years. “You can’t win every year but you can impact players every year,” Harbinson explained. “When you have moments like Saturday night you remember that, because of the social media and text messages that I got from former players about things that I helped them with. I’m a parent, I have an 18-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, and I think it hits harder for me now than when I was starting off as a coach. I realize how impactful us coaches can be.” Some of those public congratulations shared on social media included former Vees players and current professionals Travis St. Denis of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Michael Garteig of the Newfoundland Growlers. Although Harbinson doesn’t have a specific milestone in mind as his next goal, he made it very clear that his passion for the game and drive to win are inherent traits. His focus is entirely on the current group of Vees as they head into the 2019 Chevrolet BCHL Playoffs. “I’m internally driven. It’s not something I’ve had to work on. It’s in me and it’s natural. Every year there is a new group of players that come through here, and I feel an obligation to make better men out of them, not just hockey players. Every day when I get up there is a new bar that I want to set for myself and for the organization.” A fifth Fred Page Cup during his tenure would sure go a long way raising that bar. His club’s quest begins on Thursday night at home for game one of the playoffs against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

Silvertips Add Cullen To Roster:

The Western Hockey League Everett Silvertips have added F Lucas Cullen, 19, to their roster. . . . Cullen spent the season with the BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors, putting up 50 points, including 26 goals, in 49 regular-season games, then adding seven goals and three assists in seven playoff games. . . . Cullen is from Kelowna. The Warriors were recently eliminated from the BCHL playoffs.  The Calgary Hitmen selected him in the fifth round of the WHL’s 2014 bantam draft. He played 48 games with them over three seasons, scoring four times and adding five assists.

Knights Commit To Salmon Arm Silverbacks For Next Season:

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are excited to announce that forward Holden Knights has committed to the team for the 2019/2020 season. Hailing from Warman, Saskatchewan, Knights is currently playing in the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League for the Beardy’s Blackhawks for a second straight season. Last year Knights had 21 points in 34 games, and this year he has 29 goals and 26 assists in just 40 games for 55 points. As an affiliate this season of the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Knights has one goal in two appearances. At the Mac’s Tournament this season, the forward led his team with four goals and two assists in four games tying him for eighth in tournament point scoring. “I chose Salmon Arm because it seems like a great organization and it’s something that I wanted to be a part of and I think I’m going to fit in,” said Knights. “My goals for next year are to have a good rookie year and I hope to get a scholarship in the future. I think my skating is the strongest part of my game and will help my transition to the BCHL.” “We feel that Holden is an elite forward, who possesses a full skill set, and can step right into our line up and make an immediate impact.  We anticipate him being a fan favourite given his ability to generate offence and score, while at the same time playing an extremely physical and gritty brand of hockey.  Holden is extremely difficult to play against,” said Silverbacks GM and Head Coach Scott Atkinson.

Royal Bank Cup Champion Eagles Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame:

The first Surrey Eagles team to capture a Royal Bank Cup national title has been inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, along with a handful of others who helped advance the women’s game in both B.C. and across the country. The 1997-98 Eagles – who won a national junior ‘A’ hockey crown in Nanaimo after dispatching the Weyburn Red Wings in the championship game – were inducted into the hall of fame’s team category. Other inductees in the 2019 hall-of-fame class include former Vancouver Canuck superstars Henrik and Daniel Sedin, longtime St. Louis Blues defenceman Barret Jackman; former NHL player and longtime Canuck scout and executive Ron Delorme and veteran NHL official Shane Heyer. Shortly after the news was announced Monday, Mark Holick – a South Surrey resident who was in his first season as head coach of the Eagles during the ’97-98 campaign – called the induction “a tremendous honour.” The 1998 Royal Bank Cup title is the only national junior ‘A’ championship the Eagles have ever won, though the team has multiple BC Hockey League titles, and did return to the RBC Cup tournament in 2013, where they lost to the Summerside Capitals in the semifinals. A year before they won in ’98, the Eagles – led by Semiahmoo Minor Hockey coach and all-time BCHL scoring leader Shane Kuss – also advanced to the Royal Bank tournament, but finished second after a 4-3 loss to Summerside in the final game. Last spring – which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the ’98 championship team – team captain Kris Wilson told PAN that the team wasn’t expected to contend for a BCHL title, let alone a national one, considering they’d lost many veterans, including Kuss, from the team that finished second the year before. “There’s just so many memories I have with that team – and especially that year, because of that success we had that season, and really, weren’t supposed to have, I guess… in the preseason polls, I want to say we were ranked like third in our own division,” Wilson said. “On our part, we felt that was kind of a slight.” Other players on the RBC Cup team included Matt Erhart – who coaches with Semiahmoo Minor Hockey alongside Kuss – Langley’s Brian Herbert and a slew of players who went on to play pro, including Alberta native Mike Bishai, who ended up playing 14 games in the NHL with his hometown Edmonton Oilers.

Six Players Commit To Clippers U16 Team:

The Nanaimo Clippers U16 Spring Team announces another six players that have committed to play in the JSHL. “We are slowly rounding out our team and feel confident that we will have a team that can compete in the Spring League.” Head Coach Darren Naylor said.

• Theodore St-Denis
• Mason McNeill
• Ethan Toole
• Kale Hunt
• Cole Wasmuth
• Jacob Hebert
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Hebert will be the second goaltender for the program, while Wasmuth and Hunt are forwards and Toole, McNeill and St-Denis all are defensemen.