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:
Bonkowski Commits To Powell River:
The Powell River Kings are looking forward to the addition of 2003 born Jacob Bonkowski to their 2020/2021 roster. The 6’0, Richmond, BC native has spent the last season with West Vancouver Academy Midget Prep Team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League where he produced a total of 36 points in 31 games. “Jacob is a promising forward with a lot of upside”, says Head Coach Brock Sawyer, “He skates well and is still growing into his body. He is a tireless worker and has offensive abilities that will contribute to our program for years to come. Jacob attended campy last year and played in a handful of games this season where he performed well and got his feet wet in the league. He has a lot of potential for a young player.” Please join us in welcoming Jacob and his family to the Powell River Kings organization.
Express Name Cioffi New Head Coach:
Coquitlam Express general manager David McLellan is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Cioffi as the team’s new head coach. Cioffi has an extensive coaching resume that includes experience at both the BCHL, PJHL and most recently the BC Major Midget level. Originally from Montreal, Cioffi played Junior A Hockey in Ontario and Halifax and then attended the University of Ottawa, graduating with an Honours Degree in Human Kinetics. He later completed an M.B.A. at the National American University. “We see this as a very positive step for our organization,” said McLellan. “Dan has a great approach toward promoting personal leadership and demands the best from his players and those working with him. Additionally, Dan’s teams are always prepared. They play fast and possess a very competitive style of play.” “We are truly excited to bring Dan on as the new head coach,” said Express governor Fayaz Manji. “We look forward to working with Dan in continuing to build a great team both on and off the ice.” Cioffi is no stranger to the Express, having served as the team’s associate coach between 2007 and 2010. after which he was the associate head coach with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and later as director of player personnel of the Trail Smoke Eaters. Cioffi has also won a PJHL Championship as coach of the Delta Ice Hawks. “I’d like to thank Fayaz Manji and Dave McLellan for the opportunity to coach the Coquitlam Express,” said Cioffi. “I look forward to returning to the BCHL and working with these athletes to further develop them as players and individuals.” “I’m excited to get started and work with the hockey operations staff to make preparations for the 2020-2021 season. My family and I look forward to being a huge part of the Coquitlam community and continuing the tradition of excellence in the club’s 20th season.” Cioffi and his wife Kelly have two children – Rylan and Reese.
Top 10 Alberni Valley Bulldogs Goals of 2019-20
Let's kick off our series counting down the top 10 goals from each of the 17 BCHL clubs during the 2019-20 regular season! It starts with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and is presented by Chevrolet.
Victoria Grizzlies: Graduating Players And Eligible Returnees:
The Victoria Grizzlies have a chip on their shoulder coming into the 2020-21 season after being swept in the first round of the playoffs against Salmon Arm. With eight players from the 2019-20 roster not returning, the Grizzlies look to have the horses to make some noise in the newly formed Coastal Conference. Losing five of its top six scorers is a void obviously difficult to fill since Cody Monds alone was in on 36 percent of all goals the Grizzlies scored in 2019-20. Monds, Henri Schreifels, and Marty Westhaver are all off to NCAA schools this fall. However, Victoria is buoyed by five players entering their final junior hockey seasons eligible to come back, including third-year veteran and point-per-game forward Alex DiPaolo. As 19-year-olds in 2020-21, Bryce Anderson (24 points in 51 games) and Andrew Amousse (22 points in 51 games) should both see an uptick in their production. The Grizzlies have a very solid defense corps eligible to return with three 20-year-olds (Brady MacDonald, Reid Lindsay, Jake Veilleux), two 19-year-olds (Colton Kitchen, Isack Bandu) and one 18-year-old (Chace Oliver) all in the mix. In goal, Blake Wood is the only returning player as Liam Souliere moves on to Penn State. Wood, 18, was 8-13-0 with a 3.73 goals-against-average and a .902 save percentage in 25 games. The depth chart below is based on coaches going with a 23-man roster of 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.
All college commitment years are collated from each player’s profile on the Grizzlies roster on the BCHL website.
Graduating Players
Chase McInnis (Northeastern University)
Vincent Nardone (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
Marty Westhaver (University of Alabama-Huntsville)
Cody Monds (Providence College)
Henri Schreifels (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
James Davenport (Northeastern University)
Liam Souliere (Penn State University)
Trevor Bishop (aged out)
Eligible Returnees
(* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 13 forwards and eight defencemen)
Forwards
Alex DiPaolo (00)
Edward Yan (00)
Andrew Amousse (01)
Bryce Anderson (01)
Brendan Bowie (01)
Kahlil Fontana (01)
Connor Eddy (02)
Michael Hoekstra (02)
*
*
*
*
*
Defensemen
Brady MacDonald (00)
Reid Lindsay (00)
Jake Veilleux (00)
Colton Kitchen (01)
Isack Bandu (01)
Chace Oliver (02)
*
*
Goaltenders
Blake Wood (01)
*
Lowe Commits To Cranbrook Bucks:
The Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) are happy to announce that they have committed forward Christian Lowe for the 2020-2021 season. Lowe played last season for the Vancouver NE Chiefs of the BCMML collecting 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points through 28 games. The Port Moody, BC native has spent the last 3 seasons with the NE Chiefs and was both captain and voted team MVP this past season. The 17-year-old also played in the Mac’s Midget Tournament tallying 3 goals and 4 points in 4 games. “We are pleased to be able to add another exciting young player to our roster for the 2020-21 season.” Said Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Donald. “Christian is a player that our staff identified as a one who will fit the Bucks’ brand as a player and person. Christian was pursued by a number of other BCHL clubs but chose to come to Cranbrook and be a part of our birth as a program. He will be a great asset for both our team and the community of Cranbrook, and we look forward to helping him achieve his goals.” The Cranbrook Bucks wish to welcome Christian to the organization and the City of Cranbrook.
Silverbacks ‘Zoom’ Spring Update:
Salmon Arm Silverbacks General Manager Brooks Christensen and broadcaster Nathan Kanter chat in the video below over Zoom about how COVID-19 has affected the organization, plus they give some insight on some new recruits, some Backs leaving for the NCAA ranks and they share their thoughts on the very successful BCHL NHL 20 Playoff Simulation.
Tambellini Leaves Trail Smoke Eaters:
Jeff Tambellini, 36, moves on to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning as NCAA Free Agent Recruiter and Pro Scout. Tambellini who came to Trail two summers ago, made his second season one to remember for the fans, community and Smoke Eaters organization. Over his two seasons in Trail, Tambellini’s overall record was 70 W – 46 L – 15 OTL – 1 T, leading the team to multiple team records that had stood for 20+ years. As Jeff makes the incredible jump from the BCHL to the NHL he leaves a strong core and culture behind in Trail. As a junior hockey club it is our goal to develop and move players on. The same can be said for our coaches and staff and to have Jeff move forward in his career is a great thing for the Smoke Eaters and the BCHL. “First, I would like to thank Rich Murphy and Craig Clare for hiring me as General Manager and Head Coach in April 2018. I had two main goals when I came to Trail; first, build a championship team and second, to build the Trail Smoke Eaters into a top franchise focused on the development and advancement of elite players to the NCAA. I am proud to say that we were on our way to a Championship season in 2020. More importantly, the Trail Smoke Eaters are now regarded as one of the top development franchises in the CJHL. Building and developing an elite group of players is very expensive, and again, I want to thank Rich and Annie Murphy for providing us the resources to build and acquire a top team for the 2019-20 season. I also want to thank my hockey staff and the entire TSE business staff. I was very privileged to work with an outstanding group of young passionate people who all wanted to see great things for our franchise. Finally, I’d like to thank my players. In both seasons, the group of players that we went into the playoffs with were outstanding groups of young men. The 22 players in 2019 and the 23 players in 2020, were all willing to sacrifice for each other in order to win, and I truly thank them for that. In both seasons I had outstanding Captains in Braeden Tuck and Philippe Lapointe. Those two men helped us build the identity, work ethic and execution level I expected out of both teams and I am forever grateful to have worked with them. It’s been an amazing two years in Trail, BC and I wish the players, staff, and volunteers of the Trail Smoke Eaters organization continued success!” From Rich Murphy: “Jeff Tambellini was everything Annie and I wanted in a coach for this organization. He displayed confidence in our program as well as his players, and was able to get the most out of each and every player and push them to be their best selves, on and off the ice. Our loyal fan base has come to expect great things and Jeff was a significant part in helping us get there. Although we will greatly miss Jeff, we are absolutely thrilled to see him move to the NHL. This is great news for the BCHL, our organization and community. We wish Jeff all the best in his new opportunity!” From Craig Clare: “It isn’t often a BCHL franchise can help move a player or coach directly to the NHL. To see the culture Jeff and his staff built here in the past 2 years makes me very proud to be a part of this organization. I look forward to following Jeff’s career in the NHL and keeping him close to the Smoke Eater family in our continued pursuit of a BCHL championship. This opportunity is very deserving and earned by Jeff.” Information regarding current status and next hire: Tambellini will continue as acting General Manger and work with Rich Murphy and Craig Clare to hire the next GM/Head Coach. “My staff and I have recruited and acquired the majority of players for the next season and it is crucial that we find the right person to lead this elite group of players going forward.” – Jeff Tambellini Role going forward: Tambellini’s role going forward will see him stay on with the Smoke Eaters as “Special Advisor” for the 2020-21 season. The Trail Smoke Eaters would like to congratulate Jeff on the career move back to the NHL and thank him for two wonderful years as our Head Coach and General Manager.
Fraser Commits To Express:
The Coquitlam Express added forward Austin Fraser for the 2020-21 season. The 16-year-old from West Vancouver spent 2019-20 with the Vancouver NW Hawks of the BC Major Midget League. In 40 games, he posted 18 goals and 16 assists along with 52 penalty minutes. Fraser also played eight games with the Express as an affiliate and scored a goal.
Rickwood Commits To Victoria:
The Victoria Grizzlies have added forward Ellis Rickwood for next season. The announcement came from the owner of the Hamilton Kilty B’s, a junior B team in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The 17-year-old Rickwood had 17 goals and 45 assists in 50 games with the B’s in 2019-20. He added a goal and four assists in five playoff games.
Messina Commits To Langley Rivermen:
With the offseason in full swing, the Langley Rivermen continue to announce new commitments for the 2020-21 season. There is a total of nine players moving on from last season, so there will be a fair amount of open roster spots to be filled. On Sunday, they announced the commitment of Ontario native Joseph Messina. The 18-year-old is excited about coming to Langley to play for the Rivermen. “I was talking to a couple of other BCHL teams but Langley was where I wanted to be. (I am impressed with) the location, the fans, the organization and most importantly the coaches and where they saw me. When I first talked to coach (Bobby) Henderson I immediately knew it was where I wanted to play.” Messina is a 5’10”, 170-pound defensemen from Woodbridge, Ontario who suited up for the Selects Hockey Academy U18 team this past season. In 54 games with his U18 team in 2019-20, Messina finished with two goals and 15 assists. Before joining the Selects Academy, Messina played for The Hill Academy U16 Prep team in the 2018-19 season where he racked up 25 goals and 40 assists in 74 games. He finished the season as the team’s top-scoring defensemen and in the top five overall. “Fans can expect me to bring a dynamic fast-paced, puck-moving game from the back end. I love to jump in the play and make things happen,” he explained. Since the departure of key defencemen Jake Livingstone, Ryan Helliwell, and Brian Scoville the Rivermen have some open spots on the back end they need to fill. They desperately need to find someone who can fill an offensive defensemen role left behind by Livingstone. It is especially key if the Rivermen want to see themselves as a top team in the BCHL next season. Big shoes to fill on Langley’s blueline If Messina is able to find his offensive game early he could potentially help in part to fill the role that Livingstone once had on the blueline. He describes himself as a fast puck-moving defenceman who likes to jump into the play, so there is a chance that he could even help with the Rivermen’s powerplay. Obviously this is not a guarantee, I’m not saying he will come in and light up the league right away. Once the roster for next season starts to take shape it will become clear on where Messina fits in on the depth chart. As of right now, the Rivermen have four returning defencemen in Colten Kovich, Will Dow-Kenny, Stephen Sielsky, and Tanner Komzak. They are all expected to return and have key roles on the team. With this latest announcement, Messina is the fifth player and first defenceman to commit to the Rivermen this offseason. He joins Brandon Milberg, Morgan Winters, Seamus Campbell, and Mark D’Agostino as the newest recruits set to play at the George Preston Recreation Centre this fall. Out of all of Langley’s commitments announced thus far, four out of the five players have already committed to attend NCAA Division I schools after their time in the BCHL is done. The Rivermen are expected to announce more players over the next few weeks simply due to the fact that teams are unable to hold spring prospect camps due to COVID-19.
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