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:
Alberni Valley-West Kelowna Trade:
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have completed a trade with the West Kelowna Warriors, sending 2000-born defenceman Ryan Novecosky to the Okanagan club in return for future considerations. Novecosky joined the Bulldogs at the beginning of the 2018/19 season and played in 52 regular season games, scoring two goals and adding eight assists along with 25 penalty minutes. He also suited up in all four games of the team’s first round playoff series against the Victoria Grizzlies. “Ryan is a tremendous young man who will have an increased opportunity to develop in West Kelowna,” says Bulldogs head coach Joe Martin. “We’d like to thank him for his contributions and wish him well with the Warriors.”
Chiefs Name Kelly Captain:
The Chilliwack Chiefs waited nearly three quarters of a season before naming a captain in 2018-19. This time, the BCHL club has done it before the puck drops for their opener. Second year Chief Nathan Kelly will wear the C on his jersey with alternates still to be announced. “It’s exciting, absolutely. It’s pretty cool especially with the Chiefs history and all that,” the 19 year old defenceman said. “Honestly, it’s pretty surreal.” Kelly found out Monday morning when he was called into a quick meeting with the coaching staff. “Brian (Chiefs head coach and GM Maloney) expects me to be a role model for the other guys,” Kelly said. “Lots of communication. Taking steps slowly at the beginning and picking up the boys when they need it.” Maloney described Kelly as a quiet leader, and the South Delta native agrees. Part of his challenge will be learning the right time to be more assertive. “A lot of being captain is leading by example, knowing right from wrong and thinking about everybody, not just yourself, when you make decisions,” Kelly said. “I think it’s going to be sitting back and observing at first, and as I get more comfortable in the role maybe I’ll be a little louder and be the guy others can lean on. “I think it’s important to be open to everyone and be approachable. “Last year was a great example with (Skyler) Brindy (Brind’Amour). He was another quiet guy, but he did everything right and was great at leading by example. I’d like to mimic his style.” Maloney was in his first year as head coach last year with a roster that had experienced a ton of turnover. Several players eventually emerged as leaders, but none as quickly or as obviously as Kelly. “If a kid is ready to be a leader, then he should lead,” Maloney said. “We weren’t sure about that last year with a whole new group, but we have a good core group coming back, and we have a good idea who they are. “Nathan’s a kid who led by example last year and there’s no shock among his teammates. It’s a pretty unanimous decision.” Maloney will hold off on naming alternate, seeing who steps up as a natural fit. “We had a long presentation this morning on what it means to be a Chief with things like character and doing the little things, practicing hard, being on time, being a good teammate and being good in the community,” Maloney said. “These are things that Nathan already does. “Will there be a learning experience for him figuring out when to speak his mind? Yeah, there’s stuff he’s going to have to worry about, but we’ve told him we don’t expect him to change.”
Salmon Arm-Melfort Trade:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have traded the CJHL playing rights of 2001-born goaltender Tanner Martin to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melfort Mustangs in exchange for future considerations. Martin was one of three goaltenders invited to 2019 main camp, after playing for the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League the past two seasons. The St. Brieux, Sask. native played parts of both exhibition games against the West Kelowna Warriors this past weekend, allowing one goal in Friday’s 2-1 win and four goals in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss. “We’re trying to find the best opportunity for [Martin] to extend his junior career.,” Silverbacks head coach and general manager Scott Atkinson said. “We think both Martin and Nisse will end up being players, it’s just right at this moment in time there’s not an opportunity here for them to do what they need to do to get better.” The Silverbacks would like to wish Martin well with his new organization. Earlier this week, the Backs also released 2000-born goaltender Cole Steinke. Now at camp as the second goaltender is 18-year-old Dylan Kruss from Richmond Hill, Ont. Kruss has played the past two seasons at Lake Forest Academy, a U.S. prep school in Lake Forest, Ill. a northern suburb of Chicago.
Victoria-Flin Flon Trade:
The Victoria Grizzlies have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Bryce Anderson(01)(F) from the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations
Surrey-Olds Trade:
The Surrey Eagles have transferred the CJHL playing rights to Tyler Pang(99)(D) to the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations
Vees Name Silye Captain:
The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce the leadership group for the 2019/20 season including naming forward David Silye team captain while forwards Jack Barnes and Jay O’Brien have been named assistant captains. Silye, 20, is entering his fourth season in the BC Hockey League, coming off of career highs in goals, assists and points during the 2018/19 campaign. The 6’0”, 186-pound forward amassed 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points during 54 games played last season with the Vees, joining the team after two seasons with the Nanaimo Clippers. “It’s a great honour to be named captain of the Vees,” commented the Arnprior, Ontario native, “You see the names of previous captains and it makes it even more special knowing you’re adding to that legacy. I’ve seen and learnt a lot in my time in the league and having that experience will help me lead by example on and off the ice.” “I am extremely pleased with the leadership options we had to choose from going into this season,” said Vees President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, “We have decided on three individuals that have the demeanor to lead this team through the good times as well as the challenging times.” Barnes, 19, comes into his third season with the Vees, posting a career-high 9 goals and 10 assists for 19 points last season. The Penticton, BC native has played each of the last three seasons with the Vees, getting into 108 games including being one of three players to appear in each game during the 2018/19 season. O’Brien, 20, makes his way to Penticton for his first season with the Vees but brings a wealth of experience with him. The Hingham, Massachusetts native played 25 games last season with Providence College in the NCAA while also being a part of Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championship. O’Brien was the 19th overall selection of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. “David Silye, Jack Barnes and Jay O’Brien will do an outstanding job as the face of our team,” Harbinson continued, “All three players bring experience and a professional approach to the game. I look forward to working alongside this leadership group.”
Chilliwack Chiefs Unveil 30th Anniversary Logo:
As the 2019-20 British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) season gets underway, the Chilliwack Chiefs will be celebrating 30 years as a club. On Wednesday, the organization unveiled new imagery featuring the number 30 placed prominently above a mountain scene similar to that of Mount Cheam. A simple, contemporary font is used for the team name which will be applied elsewhere throughout the season including new merchandise and apparel. With the ‘C’ in the Chiefs emblem highlighted in white, emphasis is placed upon the team belonging to the community of Chilliwack. “Throughout this season, we’ll be acknowledging many outstanding individuals who have contributed to our team’s rich history – both on and off the ice,” says Barry Douglas, Vice-President of Business Operations. “Notable players like Horcoff, Gillam, Cholowski, and Kawaguchi have represented Chilliwack very well. We’re excited to highlight those who worked behind-the-scenes including Mauro Ranallo, Cam Janzen, Al Kinkaid, and Scott Riley too.” A Chiefs tradition that is being recalled this year is the playing of an exhibition game at the new Sardis Sports Complex on Thursday, August 29. For many years, the Chilliwack Chiefs training camp was held at the former Twin Rinks. “Established 1990” now embraces the centre face-off circle on the main ice surface at the arena the Chiefs call home. Other visual elements symbolic of the Chiefs’ history are to be installed in the building in the coming months. The Chilliwack Chiefs will officially open their 30th season at home on Friday, September 20 when they host the defending league champions, the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Salmon Arm-Nipawin Trade:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have traded 2001-born defenceman Cole Nisse to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Nipawin Hawks in exchange for future considerations. Nisse played in 52 games last season for the Backs’, recording two goals and three assists, while also dressing in all five playoff games. In 2017-18, the Salmon Arm native AP’ed in four games, tallying one assist. “This was a tough one because Cole is a local kid and we really spent a lot of time with him last year and expected that he was going to be here this year,” Silverbacks head coach and general manager Scott Atkinson said. “But we felt that the group that we brought in just sort of pushed him from our team and we wanted to try to find him a spot where he could develop as a hockey player.” The Silverbacks would like to thank Nisse for his time as a Silverback and wish him well with his new organization.
Coquitlam-Soo Trade:
After a strong showing in preseason, we have completed a trade to acquired Steven Bellini from the Soo Thunderbirds in exchange for future considerations. Bellini was the NOJHL’s Top Defenceman and Best Overall Team Player after a 46 point season on the Soo blueline. What he may lack in size, (5’10” – 175lbs) he makes up for with quickness and confidence with the puck. He will be a welcomed addition to a new look D-core in Coquitlam this season.
Prince George-Grande Prairie Trade:
The Prince George Spruce Kings have traded defenceman Jason Chu to the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) in exchange for future considerations. “Jason is a great person and was a great teammate. It’s never easy when it comes time to trade a player but even more difficult when he’s a great kid. It is part of the business at times however and I know Jason will do well in Grande Prairie. They are excited to have him and will be able to give more opportunity than we were going to be able to give him. We wish him nothing but success moving forward ” says Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes.
On The Bench With Trevor Miller:
This week, we chat with Penticton Vees captain David Silye
Prospera Centre is set to be renamed the Chilliwack Coliseum
Prospera Centre is set to be renamed the Chilliwack Coliseum as part of a new five-year agreement between the Chiefs Development Group and City of Chilliwack. City council voted for the name change as part of a late additional item added to the Sept. 3 council agenda. It was also announced that city officials are entering into a “sponsorship agreement” with the Chiefs Development Group (CDG) for the Prospera Centre building on Hodgins Avenue. City approved the agreement in the amount of $416,585, and $301,000 will be applied as an early payment as part of the $1.1 million portion for 2021, to be allocated for capital costs on the building. “It’s been a pleasure working with Barry Douglas and Mr. (Brian) Maloney there,” said Mayor Ken Popove, said referring to the Chiefs’ president of business operations, and president of hockey operations for the Chiefs, who were in attendance in chambers at the Tuesday evening portion of the council meeting. “You are a class act.” Mayor Popove said he looks forward to the new partnership. “I think we are going to do great things together,” he told the Chiefs officials. Coun. Harv Westeringh commented: “great organization, great personnel” and said he was very happy to have the Chilliwack Coliseum name back in town. Coun. Jason Lum said “it was inevitable” and whatever “magic” was used to get the “good ol’” Coliseum name back sits well with him. “Working with the Chiefs has been fantastic,” Lum said, adding he knew the building would be coming back to the city, and that it was going to come back as the Coliseum. Prospera Credit Union notified CDG of its intentions to cease sponsorship of the building in February, and city officials began talking about rebranding the building before making the change in ownership. “The building requires a new name and CDG has requested that the building be renamed the ‘Chilliwack Coliseum,’” the staff report states. The new sponsorship deal could be in place until the ownership of the building reverts back to City of Chilliwack from the Chiefs Development Group (CDG). That provision was included in the 25-year public-private partnership (P3) agreement for Prospera Centre was originally entered into by City of Chilliwack and Chiefs Development Group in 2003. The agreement specified that the ownership of the building on Hodgins Road would revert back to the city once the mortgage and five $1.1 million payments were made. The city has been buying back the mortgage by making annual payments to the bank. “Though the city will have acquired the mortgage in 2020, the City doesn’t acquire the building until the end of the 25-year term.” The sponsorship deal would see the City of Chilliwack covering: the costs of new signage, snow removal from parking lots, landscaping, horticulture, tree maintenance, grass cutting, parking lot line painting and painting the exterior of the building. Also listed was an electronic reader board sign. The responsibility for some of those costs was previously undertaken by CDG. “This sponsorship would continue until ownership of the building reverts back to City of Chilliwack possibly in six years,” the staff report continued.
BCHL Next Generation: West Kelowna Warriors
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.
Last up is the West Kelowna Warriors.
The Warriors finished sixth in the Interior Division last season and took the defending league-champs the Wenatchee Wild to seven games in their first-round series before bowing out. The team brought in Brandon West as head coach late in the season and now with a full offseason of recruiting under his belt, he is hoping to implement his preferred style of play to start this year. “In our recruiting, we were looking for guys that could play on both sides of the puck and guys that have a high hockey IQ with a high skillset,” said West. “We want to be a puck-possession team that has a lot of team speed with our passing and our skating. We also want to take care of our own end. We’re going to play fast and we’re going to play hard and that’s what’s going to be expected every day.”
2019-20 commits
Jake Harrison (1999, D)
- Hometown: West Kelowna, B.C.
- Previous team: Fargo Force (USHL)
- Commitment: University of Michigan (2020-21)
After spending a year in the USHL, the hometown kid returns to the Warriors where he previously spent three seasons, including 2015-16 where he won a Fred Page Cup and a National Championship. Last year with Fargo, Harrison had two goals and eight assists in 49 games. He’s been named team captain for 2019-20.
West’s scouting report:
“Jake is everything you want in a player. He’s competitive on and off the ice, he’s a tremendous leader and his skillset that he brings to the table is second to none. We’re very excited to have him back and be our captain.”
John Evans (2002, F)
- Hometown: South Surrey, B.C.
- Previous team: Delta Hockey Academy Prep (CSSHL)
The 17-year-old had over two points per game last season, finishing the year with 72 in 35 games to lead his team and finish fourth overall in the CSSHL. He played eight games for the Surrey Eagles last season and chipped in with one goal.
West’s scouting report:
“John is an elite, skilled player that has great vision on the ice. He has youth and talent that we were very eager to bring in.”
Nick Ardanaz (2002, D)
- Hometown: Langley, B.C.
- Previous team: Delta Hockey Academy Prep (CSSHL)
- Commitment: University of New Hampshire (2021-22)
Ardanaz totaled five goals and 25 assists for 30 points in 33 games last year with Delta. He also played in three BCHL contests as an affiliate with the Vernon Vipers.
West’s scouting report:
“Nick is a highly-skilled defenceman that competes on both sides of the puck and he brings a mature defensive game that we look forward to utilizing on our back end.”
Jacob Brockman (2001, F)
- Hometown: El Segundo, Calif.
- Previous team: Los Angeles Jr. Kings U18 (T1EHL U18)
The 18-year-old tied for third in scoring on the Kings last year with 21 points in 29 games.
West’s scouting report:
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