The Alberni Valley Bulldogs had a fantastic season in 2021-22, finishing as Coastal Conference champions. The Bulldogs had high hopes entering the post-season, but a disappointing result. Alberni Valley topped the Cowichan Valley Capitals in a four-game sweep before being upset by the Langley Rivermen in six games in the second round.
Alberni Valley has nine players committed to NCAA Division I schools, and a pair who have aged out of junior hockey.
Bulldogs general manager and head coach Joe Martin has six forwards, six defenders, and one goaltender eligible to come back next season. Martin is looking at four 20-year-olds returning for the reigning Coastal Conference regular-season champs.
These numbers will likely change as players move to other leagues like the Western Hockey League, US Hockey League, or North American Hockey League. They may drop down to junior B, be sent away in trades, retire, or wind up committing to college before September and don’t return to Alberni Valley.
The depth chart is based on the league going with a 24-player roster next season and coaches going with 14 forwards, eight defenders, and two goaltenders.
Graduating Players
Brandon Buhr (Clarkson University)
Finn Brown (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Josh Zary (Long Island University)
Stephen Castagna (Bentley University)
Ethan Leyer (St. Cloud State University)
Arlo Merritt (Bentley University)
Emanuelson Charbonneau (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
Ryan Nause (Bentley University)
Hobie Hedquist (University of North Dakota)
Booker Daniel (aged out)
Josh Van Unen (aged out)
Eligible Returnees (* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 14 forwards and eight defenders)
Forwards
Chase Klassen (02)
Cole Melady (03)
Nicholas Beneteau (03)
Ethan Bono (04)
Zeke Nicholson (04)
Matthew Maltais (04)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Defenders
Jeremy Fontaine (02)
Logan Holm (02)
Luke Rybinski (03)
Kai Greaves (03)
Braden Blace (03)
Caden Tremblay (05)
*
*
Goaltenders
Hayden Dunford (02)
*
