AJHL, BCHL Bulletin, Coastal Conference, Interior Conference, NCAA, WHL

BCHL Today: Warriors grab Dafoe from Blackfalds, Urekar named OHA U15 head coach, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Warriors acquire Dafoe from Blackfalds of the AJHL

The West Kelowna Warriors have acquired 2002-born forward Chase Dafoe from the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for 2001-born forward Zach Brooks.

Dafoe, a native of Beverly, MA, served as the Smokies captain in 2020-21 and put up three goals and eight points in 20 games. He added 17 points in 55 games as a rookie in Trail during the 2019-20 season.

Brooks had three goals and 10 points in 20 games with the Warriors in 2020-21. The Bromont, QC product also notched 12 goals and 27 points in 57 games with Cowichan Valley in 2019-20 before being traded to West Kelowna on June 1, 2020.

The Bulldogs acquired Dafoe from Trail on Tuesday for future considerations.

Urekar hired as head coach of OHA U15 team

Trail Smoke Eaters assistant general manager and assistant coach Jeff Urekar was named the head coach of the Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 team for the 2021-22 season on Wednesday.

As a result of joining OHA, Urekar’s role with the Smoke Eaters has changed to director of scouting and player personnel. He was assistant GM and assistant coach for Trail in the last two seasons.

Vipers hire Jutt as athletic therapist and trainer

The Vernon Vipers announced the hiring of Yasmine Jutt as the team’s new athletic therapist and trainer. Jutt has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and a diploma in Sport Science from Douglas College.

She worked with the Merritt Centennials in the Chilliwack pod during the 2020-21 BCHL season. Jutt also helped out the North Van Wolf Pack of the Pacific Junior Hockey League over the last two seasons and was head trainer for the Vancouver North West Hawks of the BC U18 and BC U15 Leagues.

Kanter and De Caria join the WHL’s Regina Pats

The Regina Pats announced a number of new hires in their off-ice department on Wednesday, including Dante De Caria as play-by-play announcer and manager of hockey communications and Nathan Kanter as manager of digital media, fan, and community engagement.

De Caria was the play-by-play announcer and director of media relations for the Powell River Kings during the 2019-20 season while Kanter spent the last two seasons as play-by-play announcer and communications coordinator for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Manz earns alternate captaincy at Lake Superior State

Forward Dustin Manz (48 goals, 65 assists in 116 games with Prince George from 2017-19) has been named an alternate captain at Lake Superior State University for the 2021-22 NCAA season.

Manz, who’s from Vanderbilt, MI, had four goals and 16 points in 69 games with the Lakers over the last two seasons.

Beck signs a contract with Dornbirner

Forward Colton Beck (79 goals, 80 assists in 166 games with Langley from 2007-10) has signed a contract with Dornbirner EC of the ICE Hockey League in Austria.

The 31-year-old from Langley, BC had a goal and six points in 21 games with the Stockton Heat of the American Hockey League in 2020-21.