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:
Michaud Commits To Trail Smoke Eaters:
The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to welcome forward Connor Michaud as the newest member to our roster for the 2020/21 season. Michaud, a native of Moncton, New Brunswick, has spent the last two seasons developing at the Okanagan Hockey Academy playing for both Prep team White and team Black. In 66 games Michaud put up 52 while also being an assistant captain on team Black this past season. “Connor is a very versatile forward that plays the game with a lot of energy. He is capable of playing in the middle and on the wing, and a very powerful skater in open ice. We had Connor join our program for some practices this season and he really fit in alongside the talent we had on last years team and got to learn about his character at that time. He’s a kid that has really put work in the last few years to push himself to where he is right now, you really appreciate that type of drive and commitment as a coach. When I first met Connor he reminded me of Jaden Senkoe, he has a similar make up of a power forward with vision and hands to make plays offensively. We look forward to seeing Connor on the ice in Trail next season.“ – AGM Jeff Urekar. “After having spent a week in Trail last season, meeting and practicing with the team, attending a home game and meeting fans, I experienced the rich history of the organization and its relationship with the Trail community. The coaching staff and players were open and welcoming and I quickly realized that I wanted to be part of such a great organization where I can further developed as a hockey player. I am excited to join the Trail Smoke Eaters” – Connor Michaud. The Trail Smoke Eaters are thrilled to welcome Connor to the team and the City of Trail. We look forward to having him join the rest of the team in the fall.
Catching up with the Backs Ep. 1 – Martino & Schofield
Salmon Arm Silverbacks broadcaster Nathan Kanter chats with Silverback forwards Nick Martino and Sam Schofield over Zoom in the video below, touching on last season, what they’re most looking forward to with next season and what they’ve been up to since COVID-19 hit.
Alberni Valley-Prince George Trade:
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired 20-year old forward Quintin Loon-Stewardson & future considerations from the Prince George Spruce Kings in exchange for 18-year old forward Austin Spiridakis. Loon-Stewardson comes to Port Alberni after spending the past two seasons with the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL. Loon-Stewardson posted 30 goals and added 25 assists to go along with 168 penalty minutes this past season. In the 2018-2019 season, Quintin was a major part of the Stars SJHL championship where he had 10 goals and 19 points in 16 playoff games. “We’re really excited on what Quintin will bring to our program.” said head coach and general Manager Joe Martin. “Quintin adds championship experience and he plays like a Bulldog.” The 5’11” 175 pound Loon-Stewardson, a native of Sioux Lookout Ontario is spending his summer fighting fires back in Ontario before reporting to Port Alberni. Spiridakis spent two seasons with the Bulldogs putting ups 18 goals and 12 assists in 98 games. The Bulldogs organization would like to wish Austin the best of luck as he starts the next chapter of his career with the Spruce Kings organization.
Americans Claim Buskey Off Waivers:
2000-born goaltender Donovan Buskey was claimed off waivers by the Tri-City Americans from the Regina Pats on Friday. (8-8, 3.83 goals-against-average, .874 save percentage and one shutout in 18 games for Trail from 2018-20) Buskey spent most of 2019-20 with the Pats, finishing with a 9-13-12 record along with a 4.20 GAA and a .876 SV%.
Chilliwack-St. Michael's Trade:
The Chilliwack Chiefs have added a potential stud to the lineup as the team prepares for the 2020-21 BCHL season. The junior A club acquired Ayrton Martino in a trade with the Ontario Junior A Hockey League’s St. Michael’s Buzzers. The deal was announced Tuesday morning. Future considerations goes the other way for the 2002-born forward who produced 29 goals and 79 points in 48 games for his team last season. Listed at five-foot-10 and 168 pounds on eliteprospects.com, Martino has a college commitment in hand with Clarkson University and the teenager is eligible for the 2021 National Hockey League entry draft. “I’m really thankful for the opportunity given to me by the Chilliwack Chiefs organization and look forward to playing this upcoming season,” the Toronto product said. “They have such a supportive fan base, great staff and a really competitive team that I can’t wait to be a part of. “I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and the fans. I’m excited to play for such great coaches in Brian (Maloney) and Brad (Rihela) and look forward to growing not just as a hockey player, but also as a person off the ice in Chilliwack.” Maloney has first-hand knowledge of Martino’s game, having coached against him at the most recent World Junior A Challenge. Martino led Team Canada East in points, posting five in six games as his crew captured silver. “We are extremely excited to add a player as skilled and dynamic as Ayrton,” Chilliwack’s hockey boss noted. “I was really impressed with his speed and ability to make high-end plays at a high pace. He can change gears and really catch defenders off guard.” “He is going to be counted on to provide offence for us this year, while also rounding out his game prior to beginning his NCAA career at Clarkson.”
Salmon Arm-Wellington Trade:
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have acquired 19-year-old forward Daniel Panetta from the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Wellington Dukes, in exchange for defenceman Zach Gabruch and future considerations. Panetta, from Belleville, Ont., brings three years of junior experience with him to Salmon Arm, all with the Dukes, including 48 career playoff games at the Junior A level. Last season, he registered 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points in 54 games, tied for fifth in team scoring. Four of his 18 goals were scored shorthanded, tied for the second most in the OJHL. He was also invited to try-out for Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge this past season. Going the other way is 6-foot-4 defenceman Zach Gabruch, who tallied a goal and four assists in 56 games in his rookie season with the Backs and was an impact player defensively, including on the penalty kill. “With the opportunity to acquire a player like Daniel, we were required to move a good player in return. I’d like to thank Zach for all his commitment and efforts to our organization and wish him the best of luck,” Silverbacks general manager Brooks Christensen said. “We believe Daniel is an addition to our roster that will impact our offensive side of the game.” Panetta was an OJHL champion with the Dukes in his rookie year in the 2017-18 season, and subsequently suited up in the Dudley Hewitt Cup (tournament that determines the Central Canadian Junior A champion) and RBC Cup (National Championship). He scored two goals and added an assist in three games at the Dudley Hewitt and also tallied one goal in six games at the RBC Cup, held in Chilliwack that year. The 5-foot-11, 172 lb. forward comes to the Backs with an NCAA Div.-I scholarship already secured to Colgate University, where former Silverback Matthew Verboon currently attends. Panetta’s older brother Jacob, a defenceman, also wrapped up his senior season for Colgate this past season. The Panetta’s are also cousins with current Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks would like to welcome Daniel to Salmon Arm.
Top 10 Victoria Grizzlies Goals of 2019-20
Cody Monds and Henri Schreifels were no strangers to the highlight reel, each lighting the lamp over 20 times for the Victoria Grizzlies in 2019-20.
The Greatest Season In Canadian Junior A Hockey History:
Many in the Okanagan won’t forget the Penticton Vees 2011-12 season. At the helm was head coach and general manager, Fred Harbinson. While under his watchful eye, the Vees racked up the accolades throughout the season, winning the Interior Division, Fred Page Cup, Doyle Cup, and Royal Bank Cup as national junior A champions. They rewrote the record book along the way. The longest win streak in a season at 42 games, most wins in a season with 54 and most points in a single season with 110. The Vees were indestructible. The 2011-12 Vees included future NHLers Mike Reilly, who is currently playing for the Ottawa Senators, and current Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher. During the year, the Vees managed to have nine players who played at least 20 games score over a point per game. Joey Benik led the team in points with 96 and was two shy of the league leader. Bryce Gervais, who came over in a midseason trade from Salmon Arm, and Mario Lucia shared the team lead in goals with 42. As the offense went, so did the defense. The Vees allowed only 133 goals for the season, which put their goal differential at a whopping plus-201. To put that in perspective, the next closest team in the league was the Powell River Kings with a goal differential of plus-96. The Vees were unstoppable with a record of 54-4-2 and a winning percentage of .917. They only dropped 10 points all season long and won a national championship. The year itself is rarely seen in sports and may never be seen again in the BCHL.
Regular season domination
As the summer of 2011 was winding down, the province of BC was still coping with a Stanley Cup Final loss, while the BCHL was about to embark on its 50th year. Players and staff of the Penticton Vees were making preparations to start the regular season. However, before we start with the 2011-12 season, a quick reminder of what had occurred the previous year. Finishing second in the division, the Vees lost game seven of conference semifinals at the hands of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in a thrilling series. With returning players such as Stecher, Benik, and a few others, the Vees wanted to focus on avenging the previous season’s heartbreak. Training camp rolled out, and the smell of a new sheet of ice was upon the horizon, and roster spots were to be won and lost. Players were battling while others were working out the kinks before the start of the season. After a few days of camp and preseason, the final preparations were solidified, and the roster was complete. Penticton’s boys of winter were ready for the start of the 2011-12 season. The Vees started the regular season with two games on the road. One in Coquitlam and the new Chilliwack Chiefs, who had relocated from Quesnel. However, it wasn’t until November that the Vees really hit their stride. “Remember, remember! The fifth of November,” It’s a famous British saying, and on this day in 2011, the Vees hosted the Merritt Centennials. The Centennials jumped to a 2-0 lead, which they carried into the third period with goals from Evan Stack and Billy Marshall. The third started with Vees forward Connor Reilly scoring within five minutes of the period starting. Grant Nicholson tied the game with 30 seconds left on the clock, which took the game into overtime. However, it was Cents defenseman Richard Sabourin who scored the game-winner. Ultimately, this overtime loss would start the greatest streak the BCHL and Junior A hockey has ever seen.
Unchartered territory for the Vees
On Remembrance Day, the Vees strolled into the Cominco Arena, taking on the Trail Smoke Eaters. They beat the Smokies 7-2, which started the winning streak of 42 games. It’s a streak that may never be reached by any team in the BCHL again. From the eleventh of November until the last game of the regular season, the Vees where unstoppable. No one could beat them. Teams tried and came close but eventually fell at the hands of a dominant Penticton team. With a 10-0 victory at home versus the Smoke Eaters on March 6, the Vees broke the record for the longest winning streak in North America junior hockey history. The Vees finished the season with back to back road games against the Prince George Spruce Kings who had current Edmonton Oilers winger Jujhar Khaira in the lineup. It was a tough task, the Spruce Kings were one of the few teams who took points away from the Vees early in the season, beating Penticton in double overtime back on October 8. The Vees took the ice on March 9 and found themselves victorious once again, beating PG 8-5 to extend the streak to 42 games.
With one game remaining on deck, the Vees were 60 minutes away from ending the season without suffering a loss in nearly four months, but the Spruce Kings didn’t want any part of that. Two minutes into the opening frame, Prince George forward Jarryd ten Vaanholt put the Kings in front 1-0. The Vees battled back on a goal by Loik before the teams traded goals in the second period and after 40 minutes, the game was knotted at two. The Vees put themselves in a great position to extend the streak, but Spruce Kings forward Myles Fitzgerald scored the eventual winner seven minutes into the third. Then PG forward Michael Colantone added two more to put the nail in the streak’s coffin. Before the playoffs began, the BCHL handed out its awards and the Vees dominated those too. Vees goalie Michael Garteig won the goaltending award for the lowest goals-against average with 1.93, coach of the year for the Interior Division went to Fred Harbinson, Mike Reilly won the best defenseman award and Mario Lucia was the league’s rookie of the year. However, they weren’t the only awards the Vees would receive before the season ended.
Fred Page Cup playoffs
With the regular season wrapped up and the trophies handed out, it was time for the real season to begin. The Vees secured home ice throughout the playoffs with their incredible regular season and up first was the Chilliwack Chiefs. With three points in the first four games, Malcolm Gould, who led the Chiefs in points in the regular season, helped Chilliwack earn a split. The series was tied and headed back to the South Okanagan Events Centre for game five. Loik scored his first of the series and, ultimately, the game-winner to give the Vees a 3-2 series lead, which made the drive up the Coquihalla a pleasant one. There was no scoring in the first period of game six and Gervais gave the Vees the lead early in the second. That was all the scoring they needed to secure the series as Chad Katunar turned away 32 shots to pace a 4-0 win. Round two of the Fred Page Cup playoffs saw the Vees take on the Merritt Centennials, who pushed Penticton during the regular season. The Vees and Cents split games one and two at the SOEC. As the series shifted to Merritt, it was the Vees who regained home ice with back to back wins and full control. Back in Penticton, the Vees laid the hammer on the Cents in game five with a 6-2 win. Up next was a date with the Coastal Division champion Powell River Kings. The Vees carried their momentum into the final round of the Fred Page Cup, where they swept the Kings. Each game except for game one saw a one-goal game; the series itself was much closer than the outcome, despite a sweep.
Doyle Cup and Royal Bank Cup
With the Fred Page Cup in their back pocket, the Vees moved on to the Doyle Cup regional championship series between the winners of the BCHL and Alberta Junior Hockey League. As the winners of the BCHL, the Vees played against Brooks Bandits in a best of seven to determine who will move on to the Royal Bank Cup. The first two games of the series were at the home of the Bandits, where the Vees took care of business in winning both games. Back home, the Vees gave themselves the chance to advance to the Royal Bank Cup in front of their fans. Despite losing game three 4-3, the Vees rolled on in games four and five. The series was slightly lopsided for the Vees, who outscored the Bandits 23-8 in five games. The Royal Bank Cup is the highest honour a junior A hockey team can achieve. It’s a grueling tournament format that sees the winner of the Pacific, West, Central, and East regions of the Canadian Junior Hockey League as well as the host team battling to become the best junior A team in the country.
As the host team, the Humboldt Broncos earned an automatic berth in the tournament. The Portage Terriers, Soo Thunderbirds, and Woodstock Slammers all won their regions to fill out the tournament’s bracket. The Vees had to face all four teams, but that was a tough ask, with each squad being a champion as well as Penticton. The Vees managed a respectable 2-2 record to earn a spot in the semi-finals. Only the Thunderbirds stood in the way of the Vees from advancing to the finals of the tournament. The Vees earned their spot in the finals by beating the Thunderbirds 3-0 on goals by Wade Murphy, Logan Johnston, and Curtis Loik. However, the Vees didn’t have much time to celebrate as the final was less than 24 hours away.
The final game of the season
Awaiting the Vees on the other side was the Slammers, who beat the Broncos 4-3 in overtime in the other semi-final. With the finals set, it was game on between the two clubs. Puck drop was scheduled for 4:30 pm, the anticipation was building on both sides. The Vees opened the scoring on the power play on a goal from Travis St. Denis and added another one quickly by Steven Fogarty. Slammers centre Bradley Greene cut the deficit in half on a deflection. The Vees took a 2-1 lead after one with 40 minutes remaining in the junior A hockey season. The second period only saw one goal which came from the Slammers, and with the game tied at two, the city of Humboldt was in for a crazy final 20 minutes. With no tomorrow, both teams emptied the tank. Woodstock came out early in the third and found the back of the net in the first 90 seconds of play. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the Vees season, Bryce Gervais poked the puck past Woodstock goaltender Matt Murphy. With time running out, the game looked poised to head into overtime until Joey Benik scored with 51.3 seconds left on the clock to give the Vees the win and 2012 national championship crown.
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