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:
Powell River-Surrey Trade:
The Powell River Kings have dealt ’02 born defenceman Jordan Hendry to the Surrey Eagles for Future Considerations. Hendry, 17, was acquired by the Kings for goaltender Matteo Paler-Show on October 25th, and played in eight games, totaling no points. The Surrey, BC native played for the Valley West Hawks from 2016-19 before making the jump to the BCHL with Trail this season. The Powell River Kings would like to thank Jordan for his contributions to the organization, and wish him all the best with the Eagles.
Nanaimo-Humboldt-Burlington Trade:
Heading into the December 1, 2019 deadline for reducing the available player cards, the Nanaimo Clippers went searching for a high level offensive threat to add to an already strong team sitting at the top of the Island Division and third overall in the BCHL. The Clippers completed a three way trade with the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL and the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL. Heading to Humboldt is Cade Cavallini, a rookie 2000 born forward with the Clippers who has been in and out of the lineup due to a series of injuries. The Clippers add Evan Benwell and the Cougars receive future considerations. Benwell is a veteran of the OJHL playing in 101 games scoring 32 goals and adding 42 assists for 74 points. He comes out of various leagues in the Toronto area where in the GTHL he had 70 points in 75 games and in the GTMMHL, he had 48 points in 66 games. In 2017, after his spectacular performance at the Telus Cup (Major Midget Nationals), he was a 1st round draft pick (16th overall) in the OHL (Major Junior) U18 draft but decided instead to come to Junior A and pursue a NCAA Division I scholarship. Darren Naylor, head coach and GM of the Nanaimo Clippers commented; “Evan Benwell is well known to us and has been on our radar for some time as a high level offensive threat who is going to put up points in this league. When he became available, we jumped on the situation to improve our offensive thrust. I’m sad to see Cade Cavallini go but we had to make this difficult decision to improve our offense heading into the second half of the season. Humboldt is getting a hard working skilled player in Cade.” Colin Birkas, Associate Coach of the Clippers, said; ”Benwell is well known to me as I coached in the OJHL. He’s going to be an impact player in the BCHL as he’s one of the players in the OJHL that I thought would be ideally suited for the fast pace league we are in out West. I’m very optimistic he’s going to provide a much-needed boost to our offence for the second half of the season.”
Warriors Release Vieten & Pietroniro:
The West Kelowna Warriors have released forwards David Vieten and Kris Pietroniro from their roster and wish them the all the best moving forward. Vieten scored once in 16 games with the Warriors, while Pietroniro had only two assists in 15 games with the Tribe.
Bowen Out Of Chiefs Lineup:
Chiefs Head Coach Brian Maloney confirmed today that the team’s leading scorer and NHL Draft prospect Ethan Bowen will be side-lined six to eight weeks with a broken wrist. Join us in wishing all the best to Ethan on a speedy recovery!
Salmon Arm-Drumheller Trade:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have acquired 18-year-old goaltender Brett Balas from the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. Balas, a Calgary, Alta. native, started the 2019-20 season with the defending Western Hockey League champion Prince Albert Raiders, after appearing in three games for them last season as a 17-year-old. He played most of the 2018-19 season for the AJHL’s Calgary Canucks, suiting up in 32 games and posting an .879 SV%. This past October, Balas was dealt to the Spokane Chiefs, where he appeared in one game, making seven saves on seven shots faced in 13 minutes. The Chiefs reassigned him in November to the Dragons, where he posted a 1-1 record. The Silverbacks would like to welcome Balas to the Silverbacks organization.
Veri Returns To Chilliwack Chiefs:
The Chilliwack Chiefs announced Friday that 2001-born import forward Jake Veri has returned home and will not be re-joining the team this year. “Jake made the tough decision to go home and re-assess his options,” said Chiefs Head Coach and GM Brian Maloney. “He is a great young man with a bright future. On behalf of all of our staff, we wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward in his hockey career.” The Chiefs would like to thank Jake for his efforts on the ice and in the community, and wish him much success moving forward.
West Kelowna-Trail-Fort McMurray Trade:
The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club have acquired F Colby Elmer (‘01) from the Trail Smoke Eaters as a part of a three way trade which includes D Declan Douthart being sent to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons(AJHL). Elmer, 18, spent this season with Trail Smoke Eaters where he tallied three goals and six assists in 23 games played. Prior to his BCHL experience, Kelowna, BC native scored 27 goals and added 26 assists for 53 points in only 39 games in the 2018-19 season with the Okanagan Rockets(BCMML). “We look forward to adding Colby to our lineup,” stated Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Brandon West. “Colby is a forward that can create offence for our group and he is excited to get started here in West Kelowna” Douthart, 19, spent the past two seasons with the Warriors. This season Douthart was able to tally 10 assists in 27 games played. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has spent the past 5 years living in the Okanagan dating back to his days with the Pursuit of Excellence Program(CSSHL). The Warriors would like to welcome back and his family back to the Okanagan and the Warriors organization and wish Declan Douthart all the best moving forward with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
Prince George-Battlefords Trade:
The Spruce Kings have also acquired forward Brett Gammer from the Battleford’s North Stars of the SJHL in exchange for Jaxon Steele. “Brett is a hard working 200 foot player who does well in all areas of the game” says Hawes. “He is a great young man and the type of player that fits in well in our program. We look forward to having Brett join our group.” Gammer had 24 points in 28 games with the North Stars before coming to the Spruce Kings. Gammer is expected to be in PG on Monday.
Salmon Arm-Prince George Trade:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have traded 19-year-old forward Dom Garozzo to the Prince George Spruce Kings in exchange for future considerations. The 5-foot-10 forward was limited to 19 games with the Backs this season because of an injury and recorded 10 points. “We had to free up some space for Lucas Breault that’s going to be coming in,” Silverbacks assistant coach and assistant general manager Tanner Cochrane said. “Dom’s a great kid; we hope for the best for him, but it just wasn’t really working — the fit just wasn’t really there for him and I think the right thing to do for anyone in that situation is try to find them a place where they will have success.” The Silverbacks would like to thank Garozzo for his dedication to the Silverbacks and wish him well with the Spruce Kings.
Smoke Eaters Sign Briere:
The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to announce the acquisition of Carson Briere from the NCAA Div. 1 Arizona State Sun Devils, While in a separate move have acquired former WHL heavy weight Kyle Pow who’s been playing in the AJHL with Fort McMurray. Both Briere and Pow are expected to join the team later this week and be available for Friday’s game in Coquitlam. Briere comes to the Smokies as the second highest goal scorers in the NAHL last year with 44 goals and 45 assists for 89 points. In his entire NAHL career Briere has 115 points in 102 games. Last season he also earned a number of accolades including the NAHL (East) Forward of the Year, NAHL (East) Most Valuable Player, NAHL All-East Division Team and NAHL All-NAHL Team. Briere is in fact the son of former NHLer Danny Briere, who had an illustrious NHL Career spanning 17 years with the Phoenix Coyotes, Buffalo Sabers, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche. This summer Carson was invited to the Flyers development camp in June where he dawned the same logo as his dad did, that earned him the nick name Mr. Playoffs. “Carson Briere is a very important addition to our hockey club. Carson is a dynamic scorer coming off an MVP season in the NAHL and has been at the NCAA level all season. We believe he will complement our top 6 forwards and add another threat to our power play.” – GM & HC Jeff Tambellini The second acquisition made by the Smoke Eaters see them bring in WHL heavy weight Kyle Pow for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL. Pow who started the year in Fort McMurray previously put his time in with the Kelowna Rockets, while also played in Powell River for the Kings. The 6’6″, 220lbs defenceman adds even more size to what is an intimidating defensive core for the Smoke Eaters, while also bringing a versatile style that will complement both the forward units and the defenceman. “The addition of Kyle Pow to our lineup provides us the heaviness we’ve been looking for. Kyle has a versatile skill set that allows him to play both forward and defense. We’ve had teams targeting our top players in the past month and the presence of Kyle Pow on the ice will address these issues.” – Tambellini Both players will join the team this week as the Smoke Eaters prepare for their biggest test of the season against the league leading Coquitlam Express on Friday night.
Coquitlam Express To Honour Comets:
This Friday we welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters to the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex on our annual Coquitlam Comets night! The Comets played 3 seasons in the Pacific Junior A Hockey League in the late 1970s. Every year, we throw it back to honour the junior hockey pioneers in the city of Coquitlam.
Littler Steps Down:
The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) announce a change in the management structure of the organization. Effective immediately, Bliss Littler is stepping down as Head Coach of the franchise, citing the interest of managing personal health concerns that have plagued him the last two and half years. He will remain in his position as General Manager and will focus his attentions on the business side of the operation. Chris Clark has been named Interim Head Coach and will hold that position for the remainder of the season. Leigh Mendelson remains in his current position as Associate Head Coach. “The team is in excellent hands”, Littler said. “Chris has a strong hockey mind and his vision is obviously in sync with our goals as an organization.” Clark says, “Obviously, first and foremost I want to express that my thoughts are with Bliss during this difficult time. I am humbled and honored that Bliss and the rest of the management staff entrust in me to continue to uphold the highest standard that the Wild have displayed over the last 12 seasons. Leigh and I are excited to continue to work with the great group we have in the locker room.” Littler came to Wenatchee in the 2012-13 season. In his time with the Wild, he posted a record of 259-136-49 for a win percentage of .639 and led the Wild to their first league championship (BCHL’s Fred Page Cup) in 2017-18. The Wild also won the CJHL’s Doyle Cup that same year. In his 26-season career, he went 836-450-144 (.635). Littler’s coaching resume is most impressive. It includes championships in the AFHL, AWHL, USHL, and BCHL. He was named Coach of the Year in the AFHL, and twice in the BCHL. He was named GM of the Year in the USHL. He’s guided hundreds of players to NCAA Division I programs and had nearly 30 players selected in the NHL Draft. He leaves the bench as the winningest Head Coach in US Tier I and Tier II junior hockey history. Littler, though no longer serving as Head Coach, is committed to the growth of the Wild organization and its place in the community. His on-site leadership as General Manager ensures the Wild franchise is in a position of strength for the foreseeable future.
Gammer Not Reporting To Prince George:
The Prince George Spruce Kings acquired forward Brett Gammer from the Battleford’s North Stars in exchange for Jaxon Steele a few days ago. Gammer, however, has decided he will not be reporting to the Spruce Kings and will instead be attending Liberty university, where his brother is. “Brett has made the decision to attend and play hockey at Liberty University in Viriginia” says GM Mike Hawes. “His brother is currently there. When we made the trade, initially Brett told us he was excited to be a Spruce King and looking forward to continuing in PG. After a stop at home on his way to PG and speaking with his family, he made the decision to attend Liberty in January. Ideally it would have been best if Brett would have told us prior to the trade being finalized that he was considering a different option than to continue playing junior hockey”, added Hawes. “This would have saved a lot of work and would have prevented this unfortunate situation. Unfortunately, the hockey world is not always an ideal world especially when trades are involved”. Hawes also mentioned that Prince George will still get something in return in this trade, “I have spoken to the Battleford’s North Stars and the trade will now be for future considerations which will get sorted out later on”.
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Behind The Scenes 360
We take a 360 degree look behind the scenes of a Salmon Arm Silverbacks game! Sit in the press box and the best seats in the arena as well as go into the dressing room and sit in the goal judges chair when the S’backs put one in the back of the net!
Grizzlies Release Konroyd:
The Victoria Grizzlies have released veteran forward Stephen Konroyd and the 19-year-old is now considered a free agent. The second year forward had four points in 26 games with the Grizzlies this season after putting up nine points in 37 games as a rookie last season. Konroyd’s dad Steve played 895 games in the NHL from 1981-95.
Spruce Kings Unveil New Christmas Jerseys:
The Prince George Spruce Kings are getting in the Christmas Spirit, and will be donning new threads for one special occasion. The jerseys will be worn during the team’s annual Drop the Gloves and Sock it to Em night, presented by Save on Foods in support of St Vincent de Paul, taking place Friday, December 13th when the Spruce Kings host the division leading Coquitlam Express. Tickets to the game are still available, but have been moving fast. The jerseys are a brand new design for the Spruce Kings, adding green to their colour scheme for the first time since 2006, and will feature a familiar old logo with a special addition. “We have had some great feedback this year on our jerseys from the classic blues and whites, and to both the Alternate Black and Alternate Reds,” said Spruce Kings Business Operations Manager Kyle Anderson, “adding these special event jerseys to the mix after the success of our Cancer Awareness jerseys, really excites us for that game.” Save on Foods is the game sponsor, where fans are asked to bring warm winter clothing, including toques, gloves, scarves, and socks to throw on the ice when the Spruce Kings score their first goal. St. Vincent de Paul, the recipients of the donation, are especially hoping for winter gloves as they are the most needed. Non Perishable Food items and cash donations will also be accepted, with all donations going to the St Vincent de Paul Society here in Prince George. The jersey template is similar to the New Jersey Devils from 1982 – 1992, but featuring an inversed colour scheme with a green base and red/white accents. The aptly named “Christmas Tree” jerseys from their NHL days, will feature the Spruce Kings “Christmas Tree” logo, with an addition of a Santa hat instead of it’s normal red crown.
Merritt-Nanaimo Trade:
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