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:
Merritt-Coquitlam Trade:
The Coquitlam Express picked up the rights to 2000-born forward Spencer Schneider from the Merritt Centennials for future considerations. Schneider, from Lakeville, Minnesota, began the 2019-20 season in Merritt with two goals and two assists in 20 games before joining the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League in late November. The Bowling Green commit finished with seven goals and 14 assists in 30 games for the Wings.
Silverbacks Name Damon New Assistant Coach:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are pleased to announce the hiring of 39-year-old Derek Damon as an assistant coach and director of player development for the 2020-21 BCHL season. Damon, a native of Bangor, ME, retired from pro hockey this past spring after a 14-year career, 12 seasons of which were spent in Europe, where he totalled over 500 career points. “When we first heard that Derek was looking to transition into coaching, it was an easy decision. We had several calls from well-known hockey minds recommending Derek for the position,” Silverbacks general manager Brooks Christensen said. “In my initial conversation with him, I knew right away he was on the same page as myself and the rest of the coaching staff. Anytime you can add a staff member with experience like Derek’s, it will not only help our organization, but the players he’s working with as well.” The former University of Maine standout most recently served as captain for the Heilbronner Falken in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL 2) in Germany for two seasons, where he compiled 38 goals and 83 assists for 121 points in 102 games. Previously, the forward made stops in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Finland. “I am very excited for the opportunity to join the Salmon Arm Silverbacks,” Damon said. “The Silverbacks are an organization with a rich tradition of excellence and I look forward to contributing to the club’s continued success. I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by Brooks Christensen and I look forward to working with coaches Tyler, Tanner and Carter, as well as this talented group of players. My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Salmon Arm community.” Damon attended the University of Maine from 2001-06, winning the Hockey East Championship in 2004 alongside future NHLers Jimmy Howard, Dustin Penner and Mike Lundin. The 5-foot-11 forward registered 51 goals and 60 assists for 111 points during his NCAA career. Damon, who also holds a master’s degree in sports management, will be relocating to Salmon Arm at the end of August, after which he will be joined by his wife Andrea and their three kids (Elizabeth, Keith and Annabelle). The Silverbacks would like to welcome Derek and his family to the northern Shuswap!
BCHL Next Generation: West Kelowna Warriors
All summer we’ll be going team-by-team to profile new players coming in for the 2020-21 season with recaps of offseason commits and acquisitions. We will also have interviews and scouting reports from the coaches.
First up is the West Kelowna Warriors.
After struggling out of the gate in the 2019-20 season, the West Kelowna Warriors made a change behind the bench in late December and hired Simon Ferguson as an interim head coach for the remainder of the year. After he was brought in, the Warriors improved significantly from their early-season form and went 9-10-2 after the coaching change to lock up the final spot in the BCHL playoffs. Ferguson, who previously enjoyed a successful playing career, including a Memorial Cup title with the Kelowna Rockets as well as a Calder Cup AHL championship with the Portland Pirates, now has the interim tag removed from his job title and is set to enter his first training camp as the team’s head coach. The Warriors were a young team last year and subsequently have several returning players that will be relied upon to play key roles in 2020-21. “John Evans was a 17-year-old last year and he put up a lot of numbers,” said Ferguson. “We expect him to kind of drive the offence on the younger end. We also have Carter Wilkie coming back, a veteran 20-year-old. We expect him to play a lot of minutes and put up a lot of offence as well.” On top of the returning players, the Warriors have been busy recruiting new talent as well. Of the six players they’ve announced committed to play next season, five of them already have an NCAA scholarship in hand. “We’ve had people in the buildings watching them,” said Ferguson. “We’ve taken a lot of time watching video and watching them play in actual games live on the east coast – even watching them practice. We’ve invested a lot of time and money into selecting these players.”
2020-21 commits:
Marcus Joughin (2001, F)
- Hometown: Tecumseh, Ont.
- Previous team: New Hampton School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Sacred Heart University (2021-22)
The 19-year-old led New Hampton in scoring last year with a whopping 79 points in 35 games, with 63 of those points being assists. In his two years of prep, he ended up with 118 points in 70 games.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“He’s an elite passer who plays as a centreman. He’s got good speed and we expect him to help drive the offence this year.”
Jack Cronin (2001, F)
- Hometown: Hamilton, Mass.
- Previous team: Noble & Greenough School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Princeton University (2021-22)
Cronin wrapped up his final season of prep school at Noble & Grenough in Dedham, Mass. last year where he finished third in team scoring with 36 points and second in goals with 22. Over his four seasons there, he averaged exactly a point per game with 108 in 108 contests.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“He’s a good skater and a good passer. Overall, he’s a solid hockey player with a good IQ.”
Connor Joyce (2001, F)
- Hometown: Dedham, Mass.
- Previous team: St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Boston College (2021-22)
Joyce played the last three seasons at St. Sebastian’s in Needham, Mass. Last year was his most productive season where he notched 33 points in 28 games to finish third in team scoring.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“He’s just kind of a natural goal scorer. He’s committed to Boston College. He plays with good speed and has a good IQ.”
Philip Tresca (2002, F)
- Hometown: Boston, Mass.
- Previous team: The Rivers School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Yale University (2021-22)
Tresca played at the Rivers School where he was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2019-20 with 28 points in 28 games.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“Philip was listed on NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings in the fall. He’s a gifted offensive player with great hands and is a good passer.”
Pat Lawn (2001, D)
- Hometown: Waltham, Mass.
- Previous team: The Rivers School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Bentley University (2021-22)
The fourth and final player on our list with Massachusetts roots, Lawn just wrapped up a long prep school career at The Rivers School where he played alongside Tresca. Lawn was the top-scoring defenceman on the team in 2019-20 with 16 points in 29 games.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“Pat is a really solid defenceman. He’s an excellent puck mover who has really good feet.”
Tyson Jugnauth (2004, D)
- Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
- Previous team: Okanagan Rockets (BCMML)
At 16-years-old, Jugnauth will be one of the youngest players in the BCHL next year. He’s coming off a season with the Rockets where he put up five goals and 23 assists for 28 points in 34 games. He was also recently invited to camp for Team Canada’s Under-17 team.
Ferguson’s scouting report:
“He’s a guy with elite-level potential. He’s a player who has big offensive upside.”
Acquired via trade:
Zach Bennett (2000, G)
- Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
- Previous team: Nanaimo Clippers
Bennett is coming off an outstanding season last year with the Nanaimo Clippers where he split duties with Jordan Naylor. The 19-year-old finished the season with the fourth-best save percentage in the BCHL with a mark of .927, a top-10 goals-against average at 2.49 and tied for the fifth-most shutouts with three.
Adam Trotman (2000, F)
- Hometown: Maple, Ont.
- Previous team: Coquitlam Express
Trotman ended his first BCHL season with 44 points in 58 games after joining the Express last offseason. Before heading west, the 20-year-old played two seasons with the Newmarket Hurricanes of the OJHL.
Jarrett Penner (2000, F)
- Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
- Previous team: Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)
Penner spent the past two seasons with Notre Dame in the SJHL where he had seasons of 39 and 37 points. His best year came in 2018-19 when he potted 22 goals for the Hounds.
Zach Brooks (2001, F)
- Hometown: Bromont, Que.
- Previous team: Cowichan Valley Capitals
After coming over from Quebec, Brooks notched 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points with the Capitals in 2019-20.
Vees To Host Three Camps In August:
The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced Friday the team will be hosting three camps in late August as they prepare for the upcoming 2020/21 BC Hockey League season. Three separate camps will take place at the South Okanagan Events Centre in the final two weeks of August. A pair of camps will skill and conditioning while the third and final camp is an identification camp as the team will look to fill spots on their affiliate roster for the upcoming campaign.
Details on the camps are as follows:
Penticton Vees Skills and Conditioning Camp:
The Penticton Vees will be hosting two separate Skills and Conditioning camps at the end of August. Players are welcome to attend one or both camps.
August 19th to 21st AND August 24th to 26th at the SOEC
2001 to 2005 Born Players
2 Ice Sessions per day, 6 Ice Sessions total
$275 fee for one of the camps or $500 total for both camps
Interested players and families can contact Vees Assistant GM Steve Cawley at cawley500@yahoo.ca
Penticton Vees Identification Camp:
August 28th to 30th at the SOEC
2001 to 2005 Born Players
1-2 Ice Sessions per day, 4 Ice Sessions total
$295 fee
The Vees Organization will be looking to fill all of their Affiliate Player Spots for the upcoming 2020/2021 season from this camp.
Those interested in attending can contact Vees Assistant GM Steve Cawley at cawley500@yahoo.ca.
Bucks Add Kurylo To Roster:
The Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL) are excited to announce the addition of defencemen Carson Kurylo. Kurylo spent the last the past 3 seasons in the AJHL playing his last 2 seasons with the Camrose Kodiaks. The 19-year-old Calgary native has collected 17 goals and 38 assists for 55 points in 137 AJHL regular season and playoff games played. Carson also won the 2018 Stewy Stewart Memorial Award for displaying attributes of character, perseverance, integrity, and sportsmanship. “We are pleased to add a veteran defender to our lineup for this season.” Said Head Coach and General Manager Ryan Donald.” Our staff believes that Carson will bring leadership and stability to our blue line and will be able to impact our lineup immediately. Carson is a player that is excited to be a part of the community here in Cranbrook and will be an excellent addition for our hockey club.” The Cranbrook Bucks wish to welcome Carson to the community and the Bucks family.
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