BCHL

BCHL Today: Zakall earns league recognition, Eagles lose Katzalay, Trotman shares his story, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Zakall excels at school and on the ice

Merritt Centennials defenceman Talon Zakall was recognized by the BCHL for his academic and hockey prowess in November by being named the league’s High School Player of the Month. Zakall had an A in five of his six courses in grade 11 last year and is set to graduate next June.

The sophomore blueliner also had nine points for the Cents in November, including three goals and two multi-point games.

Eagles lose Katzalay to the Giants

The Surrey Eagles have a big hole to fill in their line-up after losing second-leading point getting Holden Katzalay to the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. The Vancouver resident recently signed a three game tryout with the G-Men.

The 19-year-old had 63 points in 79 games with the Eagles over the last season and a half. Hatzalay previously played in the WHL in 2017-18, putting up two assists in 59 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds as a 17-year-old.

Trotman hopes to inspire others

Coquitlam Express forward Adam Trotman teamed up with with The Unity Project Vancouver to talk about his experience as a mixed race hockey player. The video is really inspiring, check it out above.

Trotman has 17 points in 31 games for the Express this season, his first in the BCHL after two years in Ontario where he played for the OJHL’s Newmarket Hurricanes.

Vees add Wilson as an affiliate

Penticton signed Spokane Braves defenceman Nate Wilson as an affiliate player in time for him to make his BCHL debut last night in Wenatchee against the Wild. Wilson, who’s from Spokane, is the Braves captain this season and he has 18 points and 106 penalty minutes in 24 KIJHL games for them.

Smokies ink Wilson as an affiliate player

With four players away at the World Junior A Challenge, the Trail Smoke Eaters called in some reinforcements, adding 19-year-old forward Reid Wilson as an affiliate player. Wilson is playing with the KIJHL’s Nelson Leafs this season and leads them in scoring with 40 points, including 16 goals, in 25 games. The Castlegar product is a veteran of 118 career junior B games.

Former BCHLer McLaughin signs in junior B

19-year-old Ethan McLaughlin has signed with the junior B Summerland Steam after being released by the Edmundston Blizzard of the Maritime Hockey League. He spent last season in the BCHL, playing 36 games with Salmon Arm and 15 with Alberni Valley. McLaughlin had seven assists split between the Silverbacks and Bulldogs.

Red Wings send former Silverback Hirose to the minors

Forward Taro Hirose (33 goals, 88 assists in 116 games with Salmon Arm from 2014-16) was assigned to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins by the Detroit Red Wings. Hirose had two goals and five assists in 23 NHL games with the Wings this season.

Former Warriors/Capitals forward Pope moving up to the AHL

Forward David Pope (52 goals, 62 assists in 131 games with Cowichan Valley and West Kelowna from 2011-14) has been reassigned by the Vancouver Canucks from the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL to the Utica Comets of the AHL.

Pope had a goal and an assist in four games with the Wings this season.

Former Eagles/Vipers goaltender Hammond hits career milestone

Netminder Andrew Hammond (46-27-3, 2.74 GAA, .904 SV%, 8 SO in 82 games with West Kelowna, Vernon and Surrey from 2007-09) played his 200 career pro game last night for the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

In his career, Hammond has also suited up for Ottawa and Colorado in the NHL in addition to Binghamton, Belleville, San Antonio, Iowa and the Americans in the AHL.

Former BCHL top scorer Conway reassigned to ECHL

Forward Scott Conway (56 goals, 60 assists in 56 games for Penticton in 2015-16) has been reassigned from the Providence Bruins of the AHL to the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.

Conway has three goals and one assist in 11 games with the Bruins this season. He’s added seven goals in six games with the Gladiators so far in 2019-20.

Former BCHL veteran Urban released by Kalamazoo

Defenceman Zach Urban (12 goals, 54 assists in 176 games with Vernon, Powell River, Penticton, Victoria, Salmon Arm and Langley from 2010-14) has been released by the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, eleven days after being signed. He had one goal in five games with the Wings.

So far this season, the Bow Valley, AB product has two assists in ten games with the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It’s his third season playing in Macon.