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15 players with BCHL experience competing in 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Brian Wiebe

The 2023 National Hockey League playoffs started Monday and 16 players with B.C. Hockey League experience are on the quest for the Stanley Cup. This is three more than the BCHL announced because its list only includes those who were regular rostered players in the league. BCHLNetwork’s list includes players who served as affiliates during their time in the BCHL like Dylan Coghlan, Mathew Barzal, and Jordie Benn.

The Colorado Avalanche lead the way with four players with BCHL experience on its playoff roster as of this writing, while the Edmonton Oilers, Seattle Kraken, and Toronto Maple Leafs each have two. 10 of the 16 teams participating in the chase for Lord Stanley’s Cup feature a player with BCHL experience on their rosters.

The Victoria Grizzlies and Coquitlam Express have produced the most playoff performers with three alumni on the list. The Surrey Eagles have two former players in the NHL playoffs while Nanaimo, Salmon Arm, Chilliwack, Penticton, Merritt, West Kelowna, and Cowichan Valley each have one.

The 2022-23 NHL season was the league’s 106th season of operation. Dallas forward Jamie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies) was tops among all former BCHL players in the NHL this season in scoring with 33 goals and 78 points in 82 games. Barrie (Victoria Grizzlies), who plays in Nashville, is next with 13 goals and 55 points in 85 games, but his Predators didn’t qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

With the playoff match-ups set, the second season begins as the Colorado Avalanche, which features defenders Devon Toews (Surrey Eagles), Josh Manson (Salmon Arm Silverbacks), and Brad Hunt (Coquitlam Express) along with forward Alex Newhook (Victoria Grizzlies), looks to defend its title.

BCHL alumni on NHL playoff rosters

Most recent BCHL club is listed in brackets.

Carolina Hurricanes (1)
Dylan Coghlan (Nanaimo Clippers)

Colorado Avalanche (4)
Devon Toews (Surrey Eagles)
Alex Newhook (Victoria Grizzlies)
Josh Manson (Salmon Arm Silverbacks)
Brad Hunt (Coquitlam Express)

Dallas Stars (1)
Jamie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies)

Edmonton Oilers (1)
Vincent Desharnais (Chilliwack Chiefs)

Florida Panthers (1)
Zac Dalpe (Penticton Vees)

Minnesota Wild (1)
Brandon Duhaime (Merritt Centennials)

New York Islanders (1)
Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam Express)

Seattle Kraken (2)
Brandon Tanev (Surrey Eagles)
Justin Schultz (West Kelowna Warriors)

Toronto Maple Leafs (2)
Alexander Kerfoot (Coquitlam Express)
Jordie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies)

Vegas Golden Knights (1)
Laurent Brossoit (Cowichan Valley Capitals)

Brian Wiebe

Brian's been involved in the BCHL in a variety of capacities for 17 years. From 2002 to 2012, he served in several roles around the Merritt Centennials organization, including as team president, board member, beat writer, colour commentator, webmaster, media and communications coordinator and marketing assistant. He's been writing about the BCHL since 2008 and served as colour commentator on the TSN 1040 broadcasts in 2012-13. BCHLNetwork is one of Brian's many passion projects that he balances around his full-time job as an instructor in the Radio Arts and Entertainment Program at BCIT in Burnaby.