BCHL Bulletin: Zitzman signs with Saints, Bußmann turns pro in Germany, and more
Roster moves
Adding reliable two-way instincts to their blue line, the Spruce Grove Saints signed Josh Zitzman for the upcoming season. The 2007-born defender from Chicago, Illinois, spent the 2025-26 campaign with the North American Hockey League’s Springfield Jr. Blues. He logged five goals and 17 assists for 22 points across 57 games.
The Langley Rivermen have added 2006-born forward Josh Frenette for the 2026-27 season. Frenette, from Oshawa, Ontario, skated with the Maryland Black Bears of the NAHL for the last two seasons, putting up 25 goals and 51 assists for 76 points in 114 games. Frenette is committed to Long Island University to start his NCAA Division I career in September 2027.
Returning to his home country, Leon Bußmann inked a new contract with EC Bad Nauheim in DEL2. The 2006-born forward from Starnberg, Germany, split his 2025-26 regular season between the Vernon Vipers and Brooks Bandits. He tallied seven goals and eight assists for 15 points across 31 total games after signing in Vernon in November.
Securing a Division III commitment to Amherst College, Duncan Thompson is moving on to the collegiate ranks. The 2006-born forward from London, Ontario, split the 2025-26 campaign between the Blackfalds Bulldogs, Coquitlam Express, and Powell River Kings. He recorded 10 goals and six assists in 47 appearances between the three clubs. He was originally committed to Sacred Heart University.
The USports Ontario Tech Ridgebacks have landed Spencer Rheaume. Playing the entire 2025-26 season with Spruce Grove, the 2005-born forward from Beaverlodge, Alberta, provided six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 54 games. Rheaume ends his BCHL career with 15 goals and 27 assists in 106 games between the Saints and Okotoks.
Heading south to the Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL is Michael Azzarone. The 2006-born forward from Seymour, Connecticut, split his 2025-26 season between Spruce Grove and the Powell River Kings. During that span, he collected 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 46 regular-season games.
Staff news
Earning a promotion to associate head coach, Garry Nunn takes on a larger role with the Victoria Grizzlies. The 36-year-old Victoria native will assist General Manager and Head Coach Geoff Grimwood in daily operations. He joined the organization last year following an extensive professional playing career. Nunn posted 132 points in 140 career BCHL games split between Cowichan Valley and Victoria from 2005 to 2008.
Voted by her peers for outstanding medical support, Cassidy Findlay of the West Kelowna Warriors was unveiled as the 2025-26 BCHL Athletic Therapist of the Year on Friday. Capturing the BCHL Equipment Manager of the Year award for the third consecutive season is John Smith of the Victoria Grizzlies.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlumni updates
Taking his talents to Poland’s GKS Katowice is veteran goaltender Connor LaCouvee. The 32-year-old from Qualicum Beach, BC, logged 62 career BCHL games for the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Merritt Centennials, and Alberni Valley Bulldogs from 2012 to 2014. Last season, he posted a 2.43 goals-against average, two shutouts, and a .916 save percentage in 33 games for Slovakia’s Vlci Zilina.
Departing HK Olimpija Ljubljana, Alex Petan is on the move again. Last season, he recorded 32 points in 47 ICEHL contests with Olimpija Ljubljana. The 34-year-old forward from Delta, BC, dominated his BCHL tenure with the Express in Burnaby and Coquitlam, posting 128 points in 155 career games from 2009 to 2012.
Joining Cholet in the French second division is Tanner Andrew. During the 2025-26 campaign, he notched 14 points in 47 ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers and Norfolk Admirals. The 26-year-old forward from Virden, Manitoba, produced 13 points in 20 career games with the Chilliwack Chiefs in 2020-21. His brother, Hunter, also a former BCHLer, signed with Cholet yesterday.
Signing a contract extension with Nice in France’s Ligue Magnus, Adam Nobes remains overseas. Last season, he contributed nicely with 22 points in 42 games. The 25-year-old defender from North Vancouver, BC, recorded one assist in seven career games for the Langley Rivermen between the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Making the leap to the NHL, 39-year-old Daren Hermiston has joined the Vancouver Canucks as Director of Player Personnel and Player Development. The Kamloops, BC, native and former player agent brings extensive recruiting expertise. According to a Canucks’ news release, Hermiston will leverage his background to enhance the club’s front office operations. He played four BCHL games with Vernon in 2005-06, posting a 2.38 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
