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:
BCHL Next Generation: Surrey Eagles:
All summer we’ll be going team-by-team to profile new players coming in for the 2019-20 season with recaps of offseason commits and acquisitions. We will also have interviews and scouting reports from the coaches.
Next up is the Surrey Eagles.
Last year, the Eagles were the only team on the outside looking in when the playoffs started, so it’s no surprise that they’ve been the busiest team in the league this offseason. After hiring Cam Keith as the team’s new head coach at the end of March, the team quickly began to build their team for next season with a series of commitments and trades. Although he’s only been on the job for a few months, Keith is already putting his stamp on the roster as Surrey has added 19 new players to the mix heading into training camp. “We’re going to be a fast-paced team,” said Keith. “We’re very young. We don’t have any 20-year-olds, so some younger kids are going to have to play more minutes than they would normally play in their first year in the BCHL. We’re hoping some of these younger guys can step into those roles and flourish in them.”
2019-20 commits
Cade Alami (2001, D)
- Hometown: Bedford, N.Y.
- Previous team: Mid-Fairfield Rangers U18 (EHF 18U Elite)
- Commitment: Providence College (2020-21)
At 6-foot-7, Alami is sure to be an imposing force on the Eagles blueline. He only played in a handful of games last year due to injury, chipping in with a pair of assists in seven games for Mid-Fairfield and another assist in five games for his prep school team at Berkshire.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He’s a big, good-skating defenceman. He would have been an NHL draft pick this year if he didn’t get injured. He is physical, but he also brings an offensive element to his game. He’s kind of a new-age Zdeno Chara.”
Brett Bliss (2001, D)
- Hometown: Chelmsford, Mass.
- Previous team: Neponset Valley River Rats U18 (Midget)
- Commitment: Brown University (2021-22)
Bliss led his midget team in scoring from the backend with 21 points in 30 games. He also had 14 points in 30 games for his prep school team at Belmont High.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He’s a smooth-skating, big defenceman with a high IQ. He’ll run a power play on the top. He’s offensive, but also can defend.”
Owen Nolan (2000, D)
Hometown: Mahopec, N.Y.
- Previous team: Milbrook School (USHS-Prep)
- Commitment: Army (U.S. Military Academy) (2020-21)
The 19-year-old was the captain at Milbrook School last season where he had 22 points in 29 games, leading the team in scoring from the back end.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He’s a heart and soul, high-character kid. He also skates very well which will be good on the Olympic-sized ice. He brings an offensive element with leadership qualities as well.”
Sean Ramsay (2001, F)
- Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
- Previous team: Pacific Coast Academy Prep (CSSHL)
Ramsay broke the CSSHL scoring record last season with a whopping 96 points in 35 games and also led the league in goals with 46. He played in four games as an affiliate last year for the Victoria Grizzlies.
Keith’s scouting report:
“His ceiling for his offensive ability is very elite. We’re expecting him to come in right away and have an impact. Not only on the power play, but 5-on-5 he’s a kid that’s always a threat.”
Gabe Schovanek (2001, F)
- Hometown: Comox, B.C.
- Previous team: Pacific Coast Academy Prep (CSSHL)
Schovanek finished second on his team and third in the CSSHL in scoring last season with 75 points in 36 games. He also ended up tied for the second-most assists in the league with 52.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He is an intelligent player who sees the ice really well. He’s a playmaker type, but he’s very comfortable below the dots creating offence from the corner and around the net.”
Thomas Scarfone (2000, G)
Hometown: L’Île-Bizard, Que.
Previous team: Stanstead College (MPHL)
The 18-year-old put up some eye-popping numbers in his time at Stanstead College, highlighted by his 2017-18 season where he posted a 1.06 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage in 11 games. He had another solid year last year with a 1.43 goals-against and a .929 save percentage.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He’s a very quick, athletic goaltender. He’s very smart and he competes very hard. He’s going to be a kid that we’ll be leaning on heavily, especially since we have two rookie goalies coming in.”
Riley Gannon (2002, F)
- Hometown: Nanaimo, B.C.
- Previous team: Nanaimo Buccaneers (VIJHL)
Gannon had 50 points in 47 games last year to finish second on his team in scoring and also appeared in a pair of games for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Cody Hough (2001, D)
- Hometown: Maple Ridge, B.C.
- Previous team: Vancouver NE Chiefs (BCMML)
The 17-year-old put up 63 points in 77 regular-season games over his two years playing major midget. He also got in one game with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last year as an affiliate.
Nate Ibraheem (2001, F)
- Hometown: Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
- Previous team: Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Midget AAA (AMHL)
Ibraheem led his midget team in scoring last year with 39 points in 34 games. He also has some Junior A experience, playing in four games over two seasons as an affiliate for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
Buddy Johnson (2001, F)
- Hometown: White Rock, B.C.
- Previous team: Delta Hockey Academy Prep (CSSHL)
The 18-year-old put up nearly a point a game last year with 31 in 32 contests and led his team in goals with 22.
Carter King (2001, F)
- Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
- Previous team: Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA (AMHL)
King led his midget team in goals last season with 23 and finished the year with 32 points in 34 games. He also played one game for the Calgary Mustangs of the AJHL.
Kenny Riddett (2001, F)
- Hometown: Fishkill, N.Y.
- Previous team: North Jersey Avalanche U18 (T1EHL U18)
In 47 total games last year for North Jersey, Riddett had 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points.
Cal Schell (2001, G)
- Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
- Previous team: Hamilton Kilty B’s (GOJHL)
Schell posted a 2.14 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage in 24 games for his Junior B team last year. He also got called up for a game with the Markham Royals of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
Ryan Suzukovich (2001, D)
The 17-year-old had 18 points from the blueline last year with Burnaby Winter Club. He also played in 10 games as an affiliate for the Eagles.
Acquired via trade
Hudson Schandor (2000, F)
- Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.
- Previous team: Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Schandor spent the last two seasons with Salmon Arm. He’s coming off his best BCHL season where he totaled 31 points in 41 games. The 18-year-old has already been named an assistant captain with the Eagles.
Keith’s scouting report:
“We brought Hudson in to play in every situation. He’s a kid that you can play on your first power-play unit and you can play on your first penalty-kill unit. He can also take those big faceoffs at crunch time. He’s a 200-foot player who really takes pride in his defensive zone as well as the offensive zone.”
Cristophe Tellier (2000, F)
- Hometown: Sherbrooke, Que.
- Previous team: Wenatchee Wild
Tellier joins the Eagles after his rookie season in the BCHL where he put up 30 points in 53 regular-season games for the Wenatchee Wild.
Keith’s scouting report:
“Cristophe is an extremely intelligent, high-offence kid who is really good on the power play and good on draws. He competes hard and he’ll be really good on the Olympic ice. When he played in Surrey last year, I think he had three points, so he’ll be very comfortable with the time and space in our arena.”
Adamo Santia (2001, F)
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ont.
Previous team: Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
The 17-year-old had 39 points in 53 games last year in his first full season in the OJHL.
Keith’s scouting report:
“He’s a big power forward with really good hockey sense. He’s a goal-scorer, but he’s also someone who likes to pass. He’s that kid that will be good down low and work to find areas to score. We’re going to be relying heavily on him to be an offensive player in his first year in the BCHL.”
Jimmy Darby (2001, D)
- Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.
- Previous team: Trail Smoke Eaters
Darby joins the Eagles after his first full BCHL season in Trail where he had a goal and five assists in 40 games.
Juliano Santalucia (2001, D)
- Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.
- Previous team: Coquitlam Express
The 17-year-old was acquired this offseason coming off his first season in the BCHL with Coquitlam where he a goal and six assists in 51 games. He played the 2017-18 season for the Olds Grizzlies of the AJHL and put up six points in 45 games.
2019-20 Penticton Vees Spotlight: Lach Hadley
Adding more experience to the Vees for the upcoming 2019/20 season is forward Lach Hadley, who joined the team from the Cowichan Valley Capitals in a late July trade. Hadley split the season between the Victoria Grizzlies and Capitals, amassing three goals and six assists for nine points in 50 games played during the campaign to go along with 28 penalty minutes. “I didn’t have as much success as I might have hoped coming from Victoria to Cowichan,” mentioned Hadley, “In saying that, I’m looking forward to joining the Vees and being apart of the organization for the 2019/20 season.” Moving away from home to play for the first time was a bit of a change of pace for the 18-year-old, having played all of his minor and junior hockey in Victoria, “Being traded from Victoria, it was definitely a bit of a change,” said Hadley, “I live only a couple of minutes from The Q Centre so it was definitely a scenery change from Victoria to Duncan.” “It was the first time in my life that I have had billets before,” continued Hadley, “I liked it, it was a different experience, getting away from home at a young age but something that all junior hockey players have to do and I’m looking forward to meeting my new billets in Penticton.” Hadley played a season with the South Island Royals of the BC Major Midget League, registering 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points in 40 games played before completing his minor hockey career with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s Shawnigan Lake prep squad, scoring 9 goals and adding 10 assists for 19 points in 26 games. Having the experience to play his minor hockey in his own backyard was something he relished in. “I enjoyed playing for both Shawnigan Lake and the Major Midget team,” commented Hadley, “I was fortunate enough to go to the Mac’s Tournament in Calgary, Alberta my first season of midget, which was a really cool experience. When I was at Shawnigan Lake, I actually got a chance to play with Derek Krall, so it’s a bit of a small world in that regard.” Moving on to play Junior ‘A’ hockey after that with the Grizzlies was a chance to play in front of family and friends on a nightly basis, “It was a very special season and I had tons of support from family and friends throughout the year,” commented Hadley, “We took a billet in as well in my first season and it made for a really fun experience.” When a trade to the Capitals arose over a year later, the change of scenery also gave Hadley an opportunity to experience life away from home, “It definitely helped me gain some independence and do some things on my own,” said Hadley, “Cooking a couple of meals and doing some laundry will help me a lot going to Penticton.” Being in the league for 99 games, along with 13 playoff games, there’s one big moment that resonates in Hadley’s mind of his best in the BCHL, “When I was in Victoria for my first year, we went down 3 0 in our first round series against Alberni Valley,” said the Vees forward, “We actually came back to win 4-3 in the series and move onto the second round and that was really cool to be apart of with that team.” There’s a lot of excitement brewing as the season comes nearer for Hadley to make his way to the South Okanagan, “I’m really looking forward to getting things going there,” Hadley explained, “I don’t know the town too well but I’ve heard it’s really nice with two great lakes and nice scenery as well as getting good crowd support with 3,000+ fans a night so that will be exciting to play in front of.” The offseason remains the same as it has for Hadley throughout the years with getting in plenty of workouts and skates but also finding time for the mind to get off of hockey, “I’ve been doing a lot of training and skating but some of the hobbies I like to do is fish,” Hadley said, “We’ve got a lot of that in Victoria and being on the lake and getting on the boat, basically being around the water as much as possible.” When it comes to a playing style, Hadley likes to think of himself as an all-around kind of player, “I think I’m definitely a good 200-foot player,” Hadley said, “I can kill lots of penalties and block shots, I’m not afraid to take one for the team. I do think I have more of an offensive side of the game that I haven’t quite shown yet at the BCHL level but I’m hoping that will come in Penticton.”
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