BCHL Bulletin: Lieuwen named Executive of the Year, Johnson takes Steelers bench, and more
Executive news
At the recent BCHL Annual General Meeting, Cranbrook Bucks owner and president Nathan Lieuwen was voted 2025-26 Executive of the Year. The 34-year-old Abbotsford, BC native – who briefly played for the Westside Warriors – has led the Bucks since its inception, continually building the organization’s community presence. Lieuwen went 7-2-0 with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in 11 games with the Warriors in 2007-08.
Coaching news
The Burnaby Steelers of the BC Hockey Conference announced the hiring of Kyle Johnson as their new head coach. The 27-year-old Port Moody, BC native brings extensive leadership experience, having played for the Prince George Spruce Kings from 2015 to 2018. Over his BCHL career, he tallied 42 goals, 65 assists, and 107 points in 151 games.
Alumni updates
Brendan Gee has committed to the University of British Columbia. The 2005-born goaltender from Vancouver, BC, split the 2025-26 campaign between the Vernon Vipers – posting a 4.69 goals-against average in six games – and the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Gee went 0-3-2 with the Vipers before signing with Fort Mac in November.
Twenty-one-year-old Max Ranström has moved from Lake Superior State University to Mörrums GoIS in Sweden. The defender from Filipstad, Sweden, went scoreless in five NCAA games last season. He previously patrolled the blueline for the Prince George Spruce Kings and Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2023-24, totalling six goals, 16 assists, and 22 points in 42 appearances.
Curtis McKenzie signed a one-year contract extension with the Texas Stars. The 35-year-old Golden, BC native logged 11 goals and 18 assists over 72 AHL games with the Stars this past season. He previously played with the Penticton Vees from 2007 to 2009, racking up 33 goals, 41 assists, and 74 points across 102 regular-season contests.
Landshut, Germany native Alec Zawatsky has signed with the Hannover Indians following a season with ESV Kaufbeuren. The 26-year-old notched 11 goals and 12 assists in 50 DEL2 games last year. During his junior career from 2016 to 2018, he collected eight goals, nine assists, and 17 points over 57 games for the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Summerside Western Capitals goaltender Kolton Bourret committed to Lakehead University after concluding his junior career. The 2005-born netminder from Thunder Bay, Ontario played seven games for the Cranbrook Bucks in 2025-26, recording a 4.97 goals-against average, before signing with the Capitals. During his BCHL career spanning 2024 to 2026 with the Bucks, he compiled a 4.23 goals-against average across 12 total appearances.
