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:

Bentham Commits To Cranbrook Bucks:

The Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) are happy to announce that they have committed to Rhys Bentham for the 2020-2021 season. Bentham has 11 points in 31 games as the captain of the Calgary Royals of the AMHL. The 17-year-old is in his second season with the Royals and has also suited up for 3 games with the Okotoks Oilers this season. “Rhys is a very intelligent and mobile defensemen who brings a lot to the table. His leadership and character fit the mould of our vision for this team.” Said Owner and President Nathan Lieuwen. Bentham joins fellow defensemen Owen Forfellow and forward Noah Leibl as the 3 players currently on the Buck’s roster for their inaugural season.

Draper Commits To Chilliwack Chiefs:

The Chilliwack Chiefs are proud to announce they have received a commitment from 2002 born forward Kienan Draper for the 2020-21 BCHL Season. Draper, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is currently suiting up at St.Andrews College in Aurora, Ontario. The 6’1, 185 pound power forward will come to Chilliwack having already secured his NCAA future, as he will suit up for the Miami Redhawks in the NCHC. Growing up in Detroit, Draper played the majority of his hockey for the prestigious Little Caesars program. “Kienan is a player we have scouted heavily over the past season, and we are extremely fortunate to be able to call him a Chief. He is a character individual that brings a heavy brand of hockey with him, as well as an ability to put the puck in the net.” Said Chiefs Associate Coach and Assistant GM Brad Rihela. “As a staff, we felt strongly right from the get-go that Kienan Draper met all of the criteria for us. He processes the play extremely well, creates space for himself and his linemates, and has a high level of skill for a player with his size.” Said Chiefs Head Coach and General Manager Brian Maloney. “He will be a key part of our future here in Chilliwack, and we are extremely happy to welcome him and his family to the Chilliwack Chiefs organization.” When Kienan was asked about choosing to come to Chilliwack, he spoke to their winning culture as a main component in his decision. “I am happy and proud to be joining the Chilliwack Chiefs. Excited to become a part of the winning culture they have sustained over the past few seasons. I feel this is a great organization for me to continue my development as a hockey player. Go Chiefs!” Welcome to Chilliwack, Kienan and family!

Merritt Centennials: Graduating Players & Eligible Returnees:

With the 2019-20 BCHL season officially done for one of the circuits’s 17 teams, anticipation is building for next season already.

With future considerations from this season’s trades potentially turning into players, plus recruiting and players moving on due to age or college commitments, there’s no shortage of work to be done before the 2020-21 season starts in September.

As each team’s season comes to an end, we’ll break down what all 17 teams are looking at roster-wise heading into the off-season. These numbers will likely change as players move to other leagues like the WHL, USHL, or NAHL, drop down to junior B, are included in trades, retire, or wind up committing to college before September and don’t return to their BCHL clubs.

The depth chart is based on coaches going with a 23-man roster of 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders. First up is the only BCHL team to not make the playoffs – the Merritt Centennials.

The Centennials have two players in goaltender Ryan Winter and forward Rylan Van Unen who have aged out of junior, while forward Payton Matsui is off to play NCAA hockey for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

Cents GM and head coach Derek Sweet-Coulter has eight players eligible to return up front, five on the blueline and Tanner Marshall in goal.

Graduating Players

Ryan Winter (aged out)

Rylan Van Unen (aged out)

Payton Matsui (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)

Eligible Returnees

(* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 13 forwards and 8 defencemen)

Forwards

Thomas Manty (00)

Daniel Tkac (00)

Chase Nameth (00)

Christian Buono (00)

Evan Benwell (00)

Hunor Torzsok (00)

Ben Ward (01)

Jerzy Orchard (01)

Josh Van Unen (01)

Jake McLean (02)

*

*

*

Defencemen

Talon Zakall (02)

Brophy Dunne (02)

Wyatt Marlow (02)

Braydon Clarke (02)

Brody Johnston (03)

Chase Cooke (03)

*

*

Goaltenders

Tanner Marshall (00)

*

Feaver, Willoughby & Moger Commit To Trail:

The Trail Smoke Eaters are proud to announce their first set of commitments for the 2020/21 season with forward Zack Feaver and defencemen Ethan Willoughby and Cameron Moger now members of the Trail Smoke Eaters. Zack Feaver joins the Smoke Eaters as three year veteran of the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds of the BC Major Midget League. The 18-year-old from Chilliwack, BC has captained the Thunderbirds this year to a 23-7-2 record while leading the team in scoring. Feaver sits third league wide with 41 points in 31 games. With 108 games played Feaver was a part of the 2017/18 Thunderbirds that won the BCMML Championship, while falling in the final last year to the Cariboo Cougars. Feaver has featured in two games this year for the Smoke Eaters,  AP’ing in early December in games against the Coquitlam Express and in front of his hometown Chilliwack Chiefs. “Zack is a guy who competes every shift with skill and toughness, he is a well rounded 200ft player who sees the ice really well and has a strong hockey IQ. Being the captain this year, Zack leads by example and quickly stood out as a player we wanted in our organization.” – Assistant General Manager Jeff Urekar Ethan Willoughby is also a member of the Thunderbirds as he joins his teammate Feaver as a Smoke Eaters for next year. Willoughby also from Chilliwack is in his first season with the Thunderbirds, the 17-year-old spent last season with Junior B side the Abbotsford Pilots of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) before making the move to the Thunderbirds. As a member of the Pilots Willoughby was named to the PJHL Prospects team, where he represented the Harold Brittain Conference. As a Thunderbird he has three goals and nine assists this season as a defenceman, with four points being on the power play as a net front position for Fraser Valley. “One of the first thing that stands out about Ethan is his size and strength along with his character. On the ice Ethan is a smart player, he has a very simple game but he does everything extremely well, he’s got a great first pass and is a top shut down defenceman matching up against other teams top lines. One thing that I noticed is that following a game earlier this season, Zack and Ethan were on the bench grabbing sticks and water bottles, normally a task for rookies, but they stepped up to get the job done. We’re proud to bring that kind of character to our team” – Urekar Defenceman Cameron Moger, a member of the Okanagan Rockets joins the Smoke Eaters as the BCMML’s leading scorer for defenceman. The 17-year-old from Vernon, BC has 6 goals and 30 assists in 32 games this season for the Rockets.  Moger and the Rockets featured at the prestigious Mac’s Tournament in December where he had a goal and an assist as the Rockets went 3-1 in round robin play. Moger did feature once this season for the Smoke Eaters this year playing against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in November. Moger also comes from NHL Lineage, as his father Sandy Moger, played over 200 games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings between 1994 and 1999. “Moger is physical and is difficult to play against. He sees the ice extremely well and makes high level plays both offensively and defensively. Watching him at the Mac’s tournament it was clear he was one of the best players on the ice. He’s got a strong Hockey IQ shows in his ability to distribute the puck.” – Urekar The Smoke Eaters are thrilled to welcome Zack Feaver, Ethan Willoughby and Cameron Moger to the City of Trail and the Smoke Eaters organization.

Jugnauth Commits To West Kelowna Warriors:

The West Kelowna Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the commitment of blue liner Tyson Jugnauth(‘04) for the 2020-21 season. Jugnauth has tallied 5 goals and 19 assists in only 28 games played with the Okanagan Rockets(BCMML). “Tyson is an elite skater and passer with a high quality IQ,” said Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “We are excited to have the opportunity to help develop Tyson and help him reach his potential. Tyson is a player who will make our team even better next year and for years to come.” Simon Ferguson coached Tyson Jugnauth with the Okanagan Rockets before taking the vacant Warriors Head Coach position. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Jugnauth has spent the past 11 years in Kelowna. He was drafted in the first round of the Western Hockey League(WHL) Bantam Draft last spring, but ultimately elected to go play for his local BCHL team instead. “The BCHL excites me because it’s a high skill league which I think fits the way I play ,” said Jugnauth. “West Kelowna is attractive to me because of the new ownership under John Murphy, and Simon Ferguson as the Head Coach. The Warriors seem to be getting better as the year goes on and I want to be a part of the success this team will have in the future.” Jugnauth already has a handful of NCAA schools speaking to him. One of the main reasons Jugnauth selected the Warriors was to reunite with his former Head Coach Simon Ferguson. “I think Simon knows his players weaknesses and strengths. He plays them in the right situations and players work hard for Simon.” The Warriors would like to welcome Tyson and his family to the City of West Kelowna and the Warriors organization.

Cranbrook Bucks: Road to the BCHL (Pt.3)

The Cranbrook Bucks are the newest franchise in the BCHL and are set to begin play in September 2020, and MyEastKootenayNow.com has published a three-part series that is taking a deeper look into the league and the team as they near closer to their inaugural game. Part 3 of “Cranbrook Bucks: Road to the BCHL”, which concludes the series, takes a deep dive into the Cranbrook Bucks’ plans to improve fan experience, while Part 1 provided a look into the BCHL and Part 2 provided an overview of the team’s hockey operations. With the Cranbrook Bucks marking the return of Junior hockey in the community, the franchise is looking to provide the premier experience for fans in the entire BCHL. How the Bucks hope to do that is by installing a new video jumbotron at Western Financial Place, a key facility feature that was required when the Kootenay Ice were playing in the WHL, but now serves as a symbol of significant improvements and renovations to the Bucks’s home building. “Yes you want a good product, yes you want to have a great competitive team and these are all good things, but I think there is a lot of ways you can make that fan experience really exciting beyond that,” Nathan Lieuwen told MyEastKootenayNow.com, Majority Owner and President of the Cranbrook Bucks. The video board will have instant replay functionality, which will be simulcast into the luxury suites at Western Financial Place. Lieuwen said they’ve installed new flatscreen TVs in those suites, greatly adding to the overall experience at home games. “It just creates a whole other side to what people are watching, they can see what happened, on close calls, everyone can be in suspense watching what’s going on and reacting and it’s a whole other way for us to see the game.” With the video jumbotron, Lieuwen is in the process of securing a video team to operate the various cameras around the rink, playback the replays, and operate digital features on the screen such as a “kiss cam” among other jumbotron staples one would expect at a hockey game. The jumbotron will be installed over the summer when the ice is taken out, and will officially be in place before Training Camp. Western Financial Place will also be getting new boards and new glass to update the aesthetic of the facility, while the Cranbrook Bucks continue their significant renovations of the former Kootenay Ice dressing room and training room to make it uniquely their own space. Lieuwen said they have completely overhauled the coach’s room, are installing new cabinets and counters, updating the player stalls, and more, all with the aim of providing an efficient and professional environment. Besides the facility, the Cranbrook Bucks are also looking to improve fan experience when they are on the road. The BCHL utilizes HockeyTV as their place for online webcasts of every game. HockeyTV is also the home of most other Junior A leagues in Canada, the CSSHL (Canadian Sport School Hockey League), and other junior leagues in the United States. “It gives a lot of flexibility for fans to watch a lot of different hockey. I have an account now and I watch a ton of games on it and it’s a very smooth software that gives fans the ability not just to listen but to watch the game with some pretty good feeds in some different arenas.” Some games are available to watch for free, including some BCHL games, although the online service is worth $30 a month or $250 for the year for fans that are interested in having access to all of the Cranbrook Bucks games, among the other leagues featured on the site. Back inside the arena, Lieuwen said the Bucks will have a family-friendly face of the franchise at all of their home games and at community events. “We’re looking to bring in one mascot and just have that kind of be our staple, we want a mascot that really represents what we’re all about,” Lieuwen told MyEastKootenayNow.com. “I know it sounds silly, it’s just a mascot, but on the finer details we really want to make sure that it’s a unified effort as to what we’re trying to do here.” Lieuwen said the team’s mascot and name will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Following the announcement of the team in October 2019, the next biggest month for the Cranbrook Bucks is February 2020. The organization is officially making season tickets available to the general public on Saturday, February 1st and will be hosting a community event at Western Financial Place to commemorate the launch. Previous season ticket holders for the Kootenay Ice had until December 20, 2019, to claim their old season seats before the Bucks release the remaining seats to the public. “For a lot of people, they’ve been in those seats for 20 years, they’ve been loyal hockey fans here in Cranbrook and we want to appreciate that,” said Lieuwen. “That’s why we did that campaign and a lot of people were very grateful that we offered them that opportunity.” “Here come February 1st it opens up to everybody, there is a lot of good seats available. We’re really excited to get the rest of the community involved and really reach out at the people that were hockey fans but lost out on something along the way, whether it was price, or whether it was product, or whatever it was, we’re really excited to bring those fans back into the fold.” Early Bird Prices for Cranbrook Bucks season tickets are in effect from February 1st until March 13th, costing $350 for adults, $330 for seniors, and $160 for a child or student. Although, Lieuwen said all children under the age of 10 will have free admission to Cranbrook Bucks games as they want to build a family-friendly atmosphere. “We really just want to make this an environment where everyone from Cranbrook can feel apart of this big community. I’ve said it before, that we want this team to be a big family, and our fans are a big part of that family, our community is a big part of that family, our corporate sponsors and partners are a big part of this family and all we really want to do is bring our whole family here and have a great time.” While the Bucks continue to check off all the boxes and complete their running checklist ahead of their opening game in September 2020, the team is taking inquiries and building lists of volunteers for different jobs, billets for the players, among other positions and roles. Lieuwen said the team is openly taking phone calls and emails from the public and that any questions can be sent to info@cranbrookbucks.ca or phoned into 250-426-8889.