AlumniBCHL BulletinBlackfalds BulldogsCollege CommitmentsSpruce Grove SaintsSurrey EaglesTrail Smoke EatersWest Kelowna Warriors

BCHL Bulletin: Eagles land BriseBois, Saints sign Scott, and more

Brian Wiebe

Roster moves

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have signed 2008-born defender Colton Whiterabbit for the 2026-27 season. The Mahtomedi, Minnesota resident arrives from Chisago Lakes High, where he recorded eight goals and 40 points in 28 prep games in 2025-26. Blackfalds’ management praised the six-foot-four blueliner’s 200-foot game and offensive upside in a news release posted on Tuesday.

The Surrey Eagles have secured 2007-born goaltender Justin BriseBois for the 2026-27 season. The Greenfield Park, Quebec native comes west from the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix, posting an .864 save percentage across 18 appearances in 2025-26. According to the Eagles’ social media post announcing his signing, the Yale University commit brings professional-level composure and a relentless work ethic.

The Spruce Grove Saints have signed 2007-born goaltender Colten Scott for the 2026-27 campaign. The Calgary, Alberta native arrives from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Nipawin Hawks, where he posted a 2.80 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage across 21 games in 2025-26. Saints management praised his calming crease presence in a news release posted on Wednesday.

Blackfalds has also added 2007-born forward John Kartsonakis for the upcoming campaign. The Montreal, Québec product arrives from Culver Military Academy, recording 10 goals and 26 points in 29 prep games in 2025-26. In a news release, Bulldogs’ management lauded the versatile, six-foot skater’s speed and high hockey IQ.

2006-born defender Cole Hutchinson has committed to the University of Arizona from the Trail Smoke Eaters. The East Lansing, Michigan product logged four goals and 11 points across 50 contests in 2025-26. Hutchinson split his time between the Chilliwack Chiefs and Trail Smoke Eaters this past season.

German forward Noah Garthe is turning pro, going from the West Kelowna Warriors to Eispiraten Crimmitschau of DEL2. The 2005-born Dinslaken native put up 13 goals and 44 points in 44 games with the Warriors in 2025-26, his third season in North America.

Alumni updates

2006-born forward Maxwell Bennett has committed to the University of Arizona from the Amarillo Wranglers. The Eagan, Minnesota native recorded two assists in 16 BCHL games with the Powell River Kings this past season before moving to the NAHL.

Thirty-year-old defender Connor Russell has signed a contract extension with the Coventry Blaze. The Guelph, Ontario product posted 18 points across 48 EIHL games in 2025-26. Russell previously represented the Penticton Vees, Cowichan Valley Capitals, and Prince George Spruce Kings from 2014 to 2017, totalling 61 points in 157 career BCHL contests.

Following a solid defensive season, 27-year-old blueliner Chris Jandric has transferred from ERC Ingolstadt to the Nürnberg Ice Tigers in the DEL. The Prince George, BC native notched five points in 30 DEL games in 2025-26. Jandric previously skated for the Vernon Vipers from 2015 to 2018, recording 51 points over 106 career BCHL appearances.

Twenty-four-year-old forward Brett Rylance is heading to France, moving from Long Island University to Gap. The Edmonton, Alberta product registered 24 points in 30 NCAA games in 2025-26. Rylance suited up for the Chilliwack Chiefs from 2018 to 2022, amassing 87 points in 169 career BCHL games.

Former BCHLer Gregory Lapointe has departed Tours, leaving the 25-year-old forward’s next destination unknown. The Granby, Québec native erupted for 25 goals and 50 points over 29 games in FFHG, Division 1 in 2025-26. Lapointe was solid with the Coquitlam Express in 2019-20, compiling 60 points in 56 career BCHL games.

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.