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:
Clippers ID Camp:
The Nanaimo Clippers Junior A Hockey Club kickoff their 2020 ID Camps today, one in Abbotsford and one in Nanaimo for players looking to compete for a spot on the upcoming roster. The Clippers originally had their camps booked for end of March and middle of April however due to COVID-19 plans had to change. “It feels great to be able to get back on the ice and seeing these guys compete for a spot.” said Darren Naylor, vice-president and head coach of the Nanaimo Clippers “These camps are held for players to be able to showcase their skills, now more than ever these camps are vital for us to get to see players.” Both camps have over 80 players battling for a spot on the 30-man Training Camp Roster which is scheduled to kickoff September 8th in Nanaimo. “This time around these camps are much different as we continue to follow the rules put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, no hitting, no spectators, etc but one thing remains the same, the compete level and attitudes will showcase on the ice and that’s a huge thing we look for in players.” said Tali Campbell, the team’s governor and general manager, “what we will see this weekend is who has been working their butts off during the last four months and who hasn’t.” The Clippers encourage fans to visit their social media channels to follow all the action this weekend. The Clippers 2020 ID Camp is presented by Western Financial Group.
Catching Up With The Backs Ep. 4 – Panetta & Loney
Salmon Arm Silverbacks broadcaster Nathan Kanter chats with two new off-season acquisitions: forwards Daniel Panetta and Carter Loney. Both players touch on their playing style, their previous junior experience, their NCAA Div-1 scholarships, what Silverback ID camp was like last week, and plenty more!
Cowichan-West Kelowna Trade:
The Cowichan Capitals have acquired 2001 born Jacob Brockman from the West Kelowna Warriors in exchange for future considerations. Brockman is 19 years old and coming off a rookie BCHL campaign in which he recorded 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in 54 games with West Kelowna. Brockman is from El Segundo, California but holds dual citizenship to Canada and the United States and does not count as an import player. He stands 6’3″ and weighs in at 175 lbs and can play both up front and on the back end. “We are really pleased to add Jacob to our roster. He brings a lot of skill and a veteran presence to our lineup. He played defence and forward last season so that gives our group some versatility as we enter the season. He has experience in the BCHL and will give our group more depth” said Capitals Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood. Prior to joining the Warriors last season, Jacob played for the Los Angeles Jr Kings organization, rising through the ranks of U13 to U18 over the course of six seasons. His final two were on the under 18 team, where he recorded 61 points in 81 games. In his 17 year old season Brockman posted 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points in 49 games, good for third on the team. Welcome to Cowichan Jacob!
Assam Commits To Alberni Valley Bulldogs:
After a successful Summer ID Camp this past weekend at the Multiplex, the Bulldogs are pleased to welcome 2003 born forward Kobe Assam for the 2020-2021 season. The 6’2, 185 pound native of Kelowna BC spent the past 3 seasons in Penticton with the Okanagan Hockey Academy. Last season Assam posted 14 goals and added 21 assists for 35 points and 74 PIM in 33 games with the Midget Prep Red team. Assam also appeared in 2 games with the Bulldogs as an affiliate player towards the end of last season. “Kobe had an outstanding weekend during our ID Camp” said head coach & general manager Joe Martin. “We challenged him at the end of last season to come to this camp and prove to us that he can be a Bulldogs. It’s a great story and we’re excited to add him to our line-up.” For Assam, becoming a Bulldogs was the realization of year-long goal. “I’d like to thank the entire Bulldogs organization for this amazing opportunity. It’s been my goal for this entire year and I’m truly honoured and excited to become a Bulldog.” Assam will join his new teammates in mid-September for the start of the Bulldogs Extended Training Camp powered by Van Isle Ford & Pacific Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd.
BCHL Next Generation: Powell River Kings:
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.
Next up is the Powell River Kings.
Brock Sawyer may be starting a new role with the Powell River Kings this year, but that doesn’t mean there will be much of a learning curve for the 33-year-old. The Toronto, Ont. native has been with the Kings as a coach since 2014, including a stint as the team’s interim head coach in 2017-18. He also played for Powell River for parts of two seasons from 2006 to 2008. This year, he enters the season as the team’s head coach for the first time in his career. Sawyer and a handful of the other Kings staff already had a built in relationship with Powell River before they joined the team and that’s something that they see as an advantage. “There’s familiarity with the town, the organization and the fans,” said Sawyer. “Being able to relate to the players and what to expect when playing here, I think it goes a long way. Between myself, [assistant coach] Kyle Bodie and [general manager] Chad [Van Diemen], we’re three guys who are alumni of the program. I think the familiarity and the continuity with the Board is good. It opens up lines of communication. We’re all invested in a common goal of providing a safe learning environment for our players.” Despite the familiarity, it doesn’t mean that the transition to the head coach’s job has been an easy one this year. With travel restrictions and limited access to on and off-ice training facilities, all teams are operating differently than they would in a normal season. The Kings are no different and are doing everything they can to make sure their players are ready to go come training camp. “There’s just been a lot of phone calls and quite a few Zoom meetings,” said Sawyer. “Each day is different with the information we get. We’re just keeping everybody informed. Guys are taking advantage of rinks opening up and being able to skate in small groups. They’re itching to get back to town and skate. They want to get back into their billet homes and get back to some normalcy.”
New recruits:
Noah Rupprecht (2002, G)
- Hometown: Thief River Falls, Minn.
- Previous team: Thief River Falls High (USHS-MN)
Rupprecht had an outstanding two seasons with Thief River Falls. Last year, he posted an astounding seven shutouts in 25 regular-season games. He had a goals-against average under two in both seasons.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Noah comes out of Minnesota with a lot of Division I interest. He had great numbers in high school for a team where he did field a lot of rubber. We’re looking for him to come in and work with [returning goalie] Thomas Wardle in a one-two combination and push each other to battle for ice time.”
Branden Piku (2002, F)
- Hometown: St. Clare, Mich.
- Previous team: Belle Tire U18 AAA (T1EHL U18)
- College commitment: Lake Superior State (2022-23)
Piku played for Belle Tire in Detroit, Mich. last season and led the team in scoring with 68 points in 67 games.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a little water bug. He’s not the biggest guy, but has a high skill level and can make plays in traffic because he skates well. We’re expecting him to come in and adjust to the BCHL level and be here for a few years preparing for when he goes off to college.”
Ross Roloson (2003, D)
- Hometown: Port Dover, Ont.
- Previous team: Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep (CSSHL)
The 17-year-old is the son of former NHL goaltender Dwayne Roloson and the brother of current Powell River forward Brett Roloson. Ross tied for the lead in scoring among defencemen on his team last year with 34 points in 35 games. He suited up for five contests in 2019-20 as an affiliate with the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Ross is a smooth-skating defenceman. We expect him to come in and contribute right away. He played some exhibition games last year in our league and some games with Spruce Grove, so he’s got a bit of experience. He’s a good two-way defenceman that can move the puck and defend off the rush. He’ll get the puck moving up the ice quickly in transition for us.”
Jacob Bonkowski (2003, F)
- Hometown: Richmond, B.C.
- Previous team: West Van Academy Prep (CSSHL)
Bonkowski had 36 points in 31 games for West Van in 2019-20. He also played in a pair of games for Powell River as an affiliate.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s got some good size and he’ll grow into his frame. He’s a good skater. When he was with us last year as an affiliate, he fit in pretty seamlessly. He’s been around our program for a year now and we’re excited to add him into the lineup and see what he can do.”
Ethan Riesterer (2003, F)
- Hometown: Richmond, B.C.
- Previous team: St. George’s School Midget Prep (CSSHL)
Riesterer was the leading scorer at St. George’s last year, finishing his season with 36 points and a team-high 23 goals in 35 games. The 17-year-old also played three games as an affiliate with the Kings.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a highly-skilled player and can really think the game. He’s not a big body, but he puts himself in situations with his smarts to get pucks back and find a play in the offensive zone. He’s also responsible defensively.”
Jakub Teply (2002, F)
- Hometown: Stamford, Conn.
- Previous team: Brunswick School (USHS-Prep)
Teply was over a point-per-game with Brunswick last year, finishing his campaign with 32 in 31 games to tie for third in team scoring.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Jakub is a big forward that can skate. He has a heavy shot and scored a lot of goals in prep school playing against some of the better competition on the east coast. He’s got a lot of Division I interest as well. He’s a heavy player and he can find the net. We’re expecting him to come in and protect the puck and shoot every chance he gets.”
Ben Raymond (2001, F)
- Hometown: Newton, Mass.
- Previous team: Dexter Southfield School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Colgate University (2021-22)
The 18-year-old notched 20 points in 30 games with Dexter Southfield in 2019-20 and also played another 37 games with the Neponset Valley River Rats where he totaled 21 points in 37 games.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s got speed, much like Jack Brackett who we had last year. Talking with Colgate, they’re pretty high on him and excited for when he goes in. We’re excited to have him and we hope he’ll be able to contribute in our lineup 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.”
Acquired via trade:
Olivier Lépine (2001, D)
- Hometown: Montreal, Que.
- Previous team: Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)
Lépine led all Hounds defencemen in scoring last year in his first SJHL season after totaling 20 points in 44 games.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
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