BCHL Bulletin: Cents pick up Dunford from Alberni Valley, Eagles add Hilditch to their blueline, and more!

Cents bring in Dunford from Alberni Valley

The Merritt Centennials announced the acquisition of 2002-born netminder Hayden Dunford from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for future considerations.

Dunford, who’s from Guelph, ON, was 4-3-0 with a 2.48 goals-against average, an .892 save percentage, and one shutout in eight games with the Bulldogs in 2021-22 after signing with them on Dec. 3.

He also played six games with the Caledonia Corvairs of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, going 3-2-0 with a 3.00 GAA and a .922 SV%.

Eagles add defender Hilditch from the Valley West Giants U18 AAA

The Surrey Eagles have added 2005-born defender Landen Hilditch to their roster for 2021-22. The Surrey, BC native tallied two goals and 19 points in 35 games with the Valley West Giants U18 AAA of the BC Elite Hockey League last season.

Hilditch also got into two games with the Eagles as an affiliate player but didn’t register any points. He was also an affiliate with the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s White Rock Whalers and played one game.

Boyle hangs up his pads after a five-year pro career

30-year-old goaltender Kevin Boyle (20-15-0, 2.99 goals-against average, .903 save percentage, one shutout in 39 games with Westside in 2010-11) has announced his retirement from professional hockey after a five-year career.

Boyle, from Manalapan, NJ, was 13-12-0 with a 2.95 GAA, .905 SV%, and two shutouts in 26 games with HC Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League in 2021-22.

He appeared in five NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks during his career, finishing with a 1-3-0 record, one shutout, a 2.17 GAA, and a .928 SV%.

Pharaon takes his game to France for this season

23-year-old defender Sami Pharaon (two goals, 16 assists in 55 games with Alberni Valley in 2017-18) has signed with Scorpions de Mulhouse of Ligue Magnus, which is the highest level of professional hockey in France.

Pharaon got into 37 games with TUTO Hockey of Finland’s Mestis last season and put up a goal and nine assists. The Vancouver, BC product added three points in 10 relegation round games.

He also played a pair of NCAA games at Princeton University to start the season before signing with TUTO last November.

Gillam signs a contract with Manglerud in Norway

The Manglerud Star of Norway’s GET-ligaen has signed goaltender Mitch Gillam (50-34-0, 2.80 goals-against average, .921 save percentage, four shutouts in 87 games with Chilliwack from 2011-13) to a contract for 2022-23.

The 29-year-old from Peterborough, ON was 17-12-1 with a pair of shutouts to go along with a 3.03 GAA and an .900 SV% in 32 games with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL last season.

He was also 1-0-0 with a 1.45 GAA, a .962 SV%, and one shutout in two AHL games split between the Rockford IceHogs and Belleville Senators in 2021-22.

Porter moves to RoKi Hockey for the upcoming season

Goaltender Cody Porter (9-7-0, 3.95 goals-against average, .874 save percentage in 20 games with West Kelowna combined between 2013-14 and 2017-18) has signed with RoKi of Finland’s Mestis for the 2022-23 season.

Porter, who hails from North Vancouver, BC, had a 4-9-10 record with a 2.78 GAA and a .902 SV% in 25 games with IPK in Mestis last season. He also played three games with SaiPa of Liiga and posted a 3.73 GAA and an .840 SV%.

Ross commits to NCAA Division III Lake Forest College

21-year-old forward Justin Ross (one goal, four assists in 15 games with Trail in 2020-21) has committed to Lake Forest College to play NCAA Division III hockey this fall.

Ross, a product of Calgary, AB, finished 2021-22 with 10 goals and 23 points in 41 games with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He also posted five points in nine AJHL playoff games.

Siso commits to playing ACHA hockey at Calvin University

Goaltender Carlos Siso (1-1-0, 3.84 goals-against average, .885 save percentage in three games with Alberni Valley in 2019-20) has committed to Calvin University to play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association this September.

The 2001-born netminder from Caracas, VEN notched a 9-15-1 record to go along with a 3.00 GAA, a .909 SV%, and one shutout in 25 games with Creston Valley of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League last season.

He also made 21 saves for Campbell River of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League in a 6-1 win over Port Alberni last September.