BCHL Bulletin: Bandits repeat as champs, Barrow extends with Cardiff, and more
Championship news
The Brooks Bandits have successfully defended their title, securing back-to-back BCHL championships with a 4-3 win against Nanaimo in game five of the series. Jack Good, the 2006-born forward from Ajax, Ontario, played hero in the clinching game by netting the overtime winner. The goal was Good’s second of the playoffs.
Bandits goaltender Zach Zahara claimed the Jeff Tambellini Trophy as this year’s BCHL playoff MVP, a well-deserved recognition following his dominant performance between the pipes. The Rockyview, Alberta native anchored the Bandits’ championship run, finishing the postseason with a 16-3-2 record. The 2005-born netminder also posted a sparkling 1.95 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Zahara played every playoff game for Brooks, allowing more than three goals only twice in 21 outings.
Alumni updates
29-year-old forward Ryan Barrow has re-signed with the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League. The Banff, Alberta product is entering his fourth season in Cardiff after posting 15 goals and 17 assists to total 32 points in 48 games with the Devils in 2025-26. While in the BCHL, Barrow spent two seasons with the Langley Rivermen from 2015 to 2017 and ended up with 34 goals and 54 assists for 88 points in 102 games.
Prince George, BC forward Joshua Sale has committed to the University of Alberta Augustana for 2026-27 to play in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. He recorded 23 goals and 34 assists for a total of 57 points in 54 games during the 2025-26 season with the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The 2005-born forward made 10 appearances in the BCHL with Blackfalds in 2023-24, scoring one goal. He also had six points in 25 Alberta Junior Hockey League games with the Bulldogs that season.
Coaching news
The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Seattle Torrent parted ways with head coach Steve O’Rourke following a last-place finish in their inaugural season. Seattle management announced the search for a new bench boss begins immediately. The 51-year-old O’Rourke spent time in the BCHL as general manager and head coach of the Langley Rivermen during the 2011-12 season. He’s from Summerland, BC.
