The Alberni Valley Bulldogs finished third in the B.C. Hockey League’s Coastal Conference with a 31-19-3-1 record this season faced the Victoria Grizzlies in the first round of the Fred Page Cup playoffs. The Bulldogs eliminated the Grizzlies in a four-game sweep. Alberni Valley then faced the Surrey Eagles in the second round and won in seven games. The Bulldogs met up with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the Conference final and took the series in four games. Alberni Valley played for its first Fred Page Cup but was swept by the Penticton Vees.
The Bulldogs have nine players committed to NCAA Division I schools for this September as of this writing, and four aging out in AJ Vasko, Chase Klassen, Logan Holm, and Campbell Arnold.
All college commitment data is taken from each team’s individual roster page on the BCHL and College Hockey News websites. Alberni Valley general manager and head coach Joe Martin has five forwards and five defenders eligible to return in 2023-24.
2003-born goaltender Callum Tung was with the Bulldogs for their playoff run, and even started game four of the Fred Page Cup final against the Vees, but wasn’t on Alberni Valley’s season-ending roster, so he hasn’t been included here.
These numbers will likely change as players move to other leagues like the Western Hockey League, U.S. Hockey League, or North American Hockey League. They may drop to junior B, be sent away in trades, retire, or commit to college before September, and don’t return to their BCHL clubs.
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
Nicholas Beneteau (St. Lawrence University)
Braden Blace (Quinnipiac University)
Ethan Bono (Merrimack College)
Brandon Buhr (Union College)
Emanuel Charbonneau (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
Hobie Hedquist (University of North Dakota)
Matthew Kursonis (College of the Holy Cross)
Matthew Maltais (University of Nebraska-Omaha)
David Sacco (Merrimack College)
AJ Vasko (aged out)
Chase Klassen (aged out)
Logan Holm (aged out)
Campbell Arnold (aged out)
Eligible returnees (* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 14 forwards and eight defenders)
Forwards
Zeke Nicholson (04)
Dakota MacIntosh (04)
Cam VanSickle (04)
Will Elger (04)
Brady McIsaac (04)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Defenders
Mason Croucher (04)
Tristan Taylor (04)
Owen Desilets (04)
Jax Wismer (05)
Caden Tremblay (05)
*
*
*
Goalies
*
*
