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BCHL Today: Spruce Kings appeal to PG council, Vees trade Elser to Trail, Kootenay Cup details announced, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Spruce Kings to ask for home rink to open

A story in the Prince George Citizen on Thursday outlines the Spruce Kings’ upcoming plea to Prince George City Council to open Rolling Mix Concrete Arena in time for the BCHL’s proposed December 1 start of the 2020-21 season.

In a report to city council, Spruce Kings business operations manager Kyle Anderson is blunt about the impact of a continued closure of RMCA.

“If the Spruce Kings are forced out of the RMCA it is likely that the team would cease to operate this season. Beyond this season, it is highly unlikely that the organization could recover financially and would be forced to cease operations permanently.”

Vees move Elser to the Smoke Eaters

The Trail Smoke Eaters picked up some experience on Friday with the acquisition of 2000-born Drew Elser from the Penticton Vees in exchange for future considerations.

Elser, who is from Hopewell Junction, New York, spent the last two seasons in Penticton and scored eight points in 26 games while battling a handful of injuries.

He is committed to attend the University of Connecticut next September.

Bucks and Smokies to compete for the Kootenay Cup

Following in the footsteps of the Island Cup and Okanagan Cup, the expansion Cranbrook Bucks and Trail Smoke Eaters unveiled details of the Kootenay Cup for the BCHL exhibition season.

The Kootenay Cup will be contested as a best-of-seven series between the Smoke Eaters and Bucks and the first team to win four head-to-head games between October 16 and November 27 will claim the title and regional bragging rights.

Powell River adds to off-ice staff

Despite word getting out a couple of weeks ago, the Powell River Kings made the hiring of director of media relations and broadcaster Justin Sulpico official on Friday.

Sulpico, who is a 2019 grad of BCIT’s Radio Arts and Entertainment Program, was most recently the director of communications with the Pacific Junior Hockey League as well as broadcaster for Abbotsford, which plays in the PJHL.

The Kings also announced the hiring of Brock Ward as athletic therapist for the upcoming season. He joins the Kings after graduating from Mount Royal University with a degree in athletic therapy. Ward served as the Trail Smoke Eaters trainer back in 2012-13.

Jets sign Broissot to one-year deal

Goaltender Laurent Brossoit (10-8-0 with a 3.78 GAA, a .898 SV% and two shutouts with Cowichan Valley in 2009-10) has signed a one-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets worth $1.5 million for 2020-21.

The native of Port Alberni has played 40 games for Winnipeg over the last two seasons. Brossoit has a 19-13-3 record with a 2.87 GAA, a .912 SV%, and one shutout.

Oilers loan Bucks co-owner Cracknell to Danish team

Cranbrook Bucks part-owner Adam Cracknell has been loaned to Esbjerg of the top pro league in Denmark to start the 2020-21 season. Cracknell signed with the Oilers just under a month ago.

The 35-year-old spent the 2019-20 season with Kunlun Red Star of the Kontinental Hockey League and put up 24 points in 52 games.

Three Stars of the Night

First star: Coquitlam forward Greg Lapointe put up two goals and two assists in the Express’ 6-1 romp over Langley.

Second star: Alberni Valley forward Olivier Fizet posted two goals and an assist in the Bulldogs 6-1 win against Cowichan Valley.

Third star: Ellis Rickwood notched a goal and two assists for the Grizzlies in Victoria’s 7-3 clubbing of Nanaimo.

Honourable mentions: Chilliwack forward Nick Cherkowski had a pair of goals in a 6-2 win over Surrey. Penticton forward Matteo Costantini had the winner in a 3-2 victory over West Kelowna. Warriors forward Elan Bar-Lev-Wise scored a shorthanded goal with 21 seconds left in the second period. Eagles goaltender Thomas Scarfone stopped 34 shots.