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BCHL Bulletin: Pridham flips to Denver, Eagles mourn Johnston, and more

Brian Wiebe

Roster moves

The Spruce Grove Saints added to their forward group by signing 2007-born Lucas Achim for 2026-27. The Lorraine, Quebec native joins from the Central Canada Hockey League’s Kemptville 73’s. He posted 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points in 47 games during the 2025-26 season.

2008-born forward Boris Borin has transferred from the Chilliwack Chiefs to Amurskie Tigry Khabarovsk of Molodezhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga, the highest level of junior hockey in Russia. The Moscow, Russia product spent the 2025-26 season with the Chiefs, compiling 14 goals and 43 assists for 57 points across 42 games.

Forward Connor Dick has committed to the University of Alberta to play USports hockey. The 2005-born Sherwood Park, Alberta native spent 2025-26 split between the Chilliwack Chiefs and Vernon Vipers, totalling 20 goals and 18 assists in 52 games. He previously skated for the Chilliwack Chiefs in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Vernon Vipers will see 2005-born forward Evan Sundar play USports hockey at Grant MacEwan University next season. The St. Albert, Alberta product recorded 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points over 42 games with the Snakes in 2025-26. He previously suited up for the Spruce Grove Saints and Trail Smoke Eaters.

League news

The Surrey Eagles are mourning the passing of Nick Johnston, known affectionately as “Big Nick.” A cherished figure, Johnston was remembered for his generosity, larger-than-life personality, and enduring impact on players, staff, and fans throughout the entire BCHL community.

Following a vote by business staff across all 20 clubs, Trail Smoke Eaters Director of Marketing Allison McCarthy was named the 2025-26 BCHL Marketer of the Year. The award recognizes her outstanding promotional efforts and community engagement in Trail.

The Chilliwack Chiefs are seeking a new athletic therapist for the 2026-27 season. The role involves injury prevention, rehabilitation, and game-day medical coverage. Certified candidates have until June 17, 2026, to apply by contacting Chiefs’ Governor Barry Douglas.

Alumni updates

The University of Denver Pioneers secured an NCAA Division I commitment from 2005-born forward Jack Pridham after he decommitted from Boston University. The Stouffville, Ontario native tallied 90 points in 65 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers in 2025-26. He registered 28 goals and 31 assists in 66 career games for the West Kelowna Warriors over one and a half seasons from 2023 to 2024.

The Pioneers also added 2006-born forward Max Heise. Heise, from Calgary, Alberta, recorded 29 goals and 34 assists in 63 games for the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders in 2025-26. Heise amassed 33 goals and 26 assists across 99 career appearances with the Penticton Vees from 2023 to 2025.

Twenty-five-year-old defender Davis Pennington has signed with HC Presov of Slovakia’s Tipsport liga after spending last season with the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings. The Saline, Michigan product posted three goals and 39 assists in 70 games for the Wings last season. In 2019-20, Pennington recorded two goals and 30 assists in 57 games for the Powell River Kings.

Forward Michael Regush, 27, is departing Rouen of the French Ligue Magnus after one season. The Surrey, BC native tallied 12 goals and 21 assists in 36 games for Rouen during 2025-26. He compiled 20 goals and 33 assists in 106 career games for the Langley Rivermen and Merritt Centennials during a BCHL career that spanned parts of three seasons from 2014 to 2017.

Twenty-six-year-old goaltender Yaniv Perets has re-signed with the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the 2026-27 season. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec native posted a 2.71 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and one shutout in five AHL games with the Phantoms last season. He spent the majority of the year with Reading of the ECHL. He registered a 25-8-2 record to go along with a 2.19 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage, and five shutouts in 37 career games with the Penticton Vees in 2019-20.

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.