BCHL Bulletin: Coletta takes over Express, George commits to Army, and more
Coaching news
The Coquitlam Express has named Mark Coletta as its new head coach. Bringing extensive experience to the role, Coletta spent 17 seasons leading the Simon Fraser University men’s hockey program. General Manager Tali Campbell cited Coletta’s clear vision and strong track record in player development as key reasons for the appointment. Coletta is also a former BCHL player, spending a season with the Royal City Outlaws in 1995-96 and putting up four goals and nine assists for 13 points in 33 games.
Roster moves
Adding size and offensive upside, Coquitlam has signed 2007-born forward Igor Silchenko. The six-foot-four native of Minsk, Belarus joins the club after a productive 2025-26 season with Loko Orsha in the Belarusian second-tier league, where he posted 19 points in 15 regular-season games and added five points in three playoff contests. He added 13 points in 50 games with Lokomotiv Orsha in the Belarusian Extraleague.
A commitment to the Army Black Knights is next for Alberni Valley Bulldogs defender Ryan George. The 2007-born blueliner split the 2025-26 season between the North American Hockey League’s Minnesota Mallards and the Bulldogs. The product of Boca Raton, Florida had a goal and 14 assists in 23 games with the Mallards, and a goal and nine assists in 22 games with Alberni Valley.
For the 2026-27 season, the Blackfalds Bulldogs have secured the services of forward Max Leduc. The 2006-born Thunder Bay, Ontario product spent last season with the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, compiling 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 52 games while adding eight points in 11 playoff appearances.
Meanwhile, Blackfalds announced that defender Liam Hoff will continue his career at McGill University playing USports in 2026-27. This past season with the Bulldogs, the 2006-born blueliner from North Vancouver, B.C. appeared in 53 games and contributed four goals and five assists. In 124 career BCHL games split between Blackfalds and Langley over three seasons, Hoff posted five goals and 11 assists for 16 points.
USports hockey is the next stop for Spruce Grove Saints forward Declan Waddick, who has committed to the Acadia University Axemen for the 2026-27 season. The 2005-born forward from Lakeshore, Ontario was a key contributor during his time in Spruce Grove with 25 goals and 27 assists in 49 games last season. He now advances to the university ranks following a successful junior career in the Ontario Hockey League and BCHL.
Alumni updates
Alexander Scheiwiller, a 2005-born goaltender from Calgary, Alberta, has moved from the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL to Mount Royal University of USports. The former Spruce Grove netminder had a 3.72 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage in 10 BCHL games with the Saints in 2023-24. He was 22-12-2 with a 2.91 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and two shutouts with Canmore in 2025-26.
After completing his collegiate career at Canisius College, former Powell River Kings forward Hunter Andrew has signed with Cholet in France’s FFHG, Division 1. The 23-year-old from Virden, Manitoba accumulated 13 goals and 30 points in 54 BCHL games with the Kings in 2021-22 before moving on to NCAA Division I hockey.
Meanwhile, former Langley Rivermen forward Joey Musa has departed Cholet. The 23-year-old from Orange Park, Florida registered 20 goals and 36 points in 29 FFHG, Division 1 games last season. Musa’s lone season in the BCHL was a solid one, posting 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 56 games with Langley in 2019-20.
A new opportunity in Scotland awaits Ross Armour, who has joined the Glasgow Clan from the Nottingham Panthers. The 27-year-old Rossland, B.C. native and former Trail Smoke Eaters forward registered 45 goals and 139 points in 145 BCHL games from 2014 to 2018. Armour was third in scoring for Nottingham in 2025-26 with 21 goals and 42 points.
Still producing at an elite level, 30-year-old Sheldon Rempal has signed a one-year extension with the Kontinental Hockey League’s Salavat Yulaev Ufa for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The former Nanaimo Clippers forward from Calgary, Alberta led Ufa in scoring last season with 15 goals and 46 points in 38 games. In three BCHL seasons with Nanaimo, Rempal was offensively dominant with 110 goals and 213 points in 167 games from 2013 to 2016.
Veteran forward Brad McClure will also stay put, continuing his tenure with HC Bolzano in the ICEHL. The Stratford, Ontario native has spent the last four seasons with Bolzano, compiling 70 goals and 131 points in 185 games. The 32-year-old averaged more than a point per game in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees, tallying 69 goals and 57 assists for 126 points in 111 outings.
Moving from the NAHL’s Austin Bruins to the Columbus River Dragons, JJ Franceschetti begins a new chapter in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The 2005-born Toronto, Ontario product and former West Kelowna Warriors affiliate player collected three goals and nine points in 45 games with the Bruins in 2025-26. He was scoreless in six BCHL games with West-K in 2022-23.
