Express and Clippers connect on a trade
The Coquitlam Express acquired 2002-born forward Mateo Dixon and future considerations from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for 2001-born defenseman Alek Sukunda, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Dixon, from Toronto, ON, had a goal in two games with the Clippers after being acquired by them earlier this month. He also tallied nine goals and 27 points in 23 games with the Jersey Hitmen of the National Collegiate Development Conference this season.
Sukunda is a native of Burnaby, BC, and posted two assists in a dozen games with the Express this season. He added eight points in 20 games with Coquitlam in 2020-21. Sukunda is also a veteran of 72 Western Hockey League games with Moose Jaw.
Hunter commits to Merrimack for 2023-24
2002-born forward Brady Hunter of the Trail Smoke Eaters has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Merrimack College, starting in September 2023.
Hunter, who hails from Enfield, NS, is tied for the Smoke Eaters’ scoring lead this season with 30 points in 21 games. His 20 assists lead Trail and are sixth-most in the BCHL. He is the fourth Smoke Eaters player from this season’s roster to commit to an NCAA Division I school.
Alberni Valley vs. Cowichan Valley first career BCHL goals
2002-born Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Ethan Anstey scored his first BCHL goal at 16:17 of the first period in a 3-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Anstey’s goal gave the Caps a 1-0 lead. The Yellowknife, NWT product was playing his 26th BCHL game and now has three points on the season.
Chilliwack vs. Langley first career BCHL goals
With his Chiefs tied 2-2 against Langley early in the second period, 2003-born forward Landyn Greatorex nabbed his first BC Hockey League goal to give Chilliwack a lead it wouldn’t relinquish in an 8-3 pounding of the Rivermen.
Greatorex, who is from Reading, MA, was signed by the Chiefs on Dec. 17. He was playing in just his second career BCHL game.
Benn winds up in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol
The Dallas Stars announced on Wednesday that captain Jamie Benn (42 goals and 23 assists in 61 games with Victoria from 2005-07) was placed into the National Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocol.
The 32-year-old from Victoria, BC has eight goals and 15 points in 29 games with the Stars this season, his 13th in Dallas after being selected by the team in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL Draft.
Christensen sent down to Worcester by Springfield
Forward Blake Christensen (16 goals, 20 assists in 52 games with Wenatchee in 2015-16) was reassigned by the American Hockey League’s Springfield Thunderbirds to the Worcester Nailers of the ECHL on Wednesday morning.
Christensen, a 26-year-old from Coral Springs, FL, has four goals and nine points in 13 games with the Railers so far this season. He is scoreless in seven games with the Thunderbirds in 2021-22.
Three Stars of the Night ⭐⭐⭐
First Star: Chilliwack forward Cameron Johnson had a goal and a pair of assists in the Chiefs’ 8-3 thumping of Langley.
Second Star: Cowichan Valley goaltender McCoy Bidewell stopped 36 shots as the Capitals nipped Alberni Valley 3-2.
Third Star: Salmon Arm forward Simon Tassy scored once and added two assists as the Silverbacks doubled Merritt 4-2.
Honourable Mentions: Rivermen forwards Riley Wallack and Max Dukovac each had a goal and two assists. Merritt forward Davide Patella, West Kelowna forward Chase Dafoe, and Chilliwack forward Ethan Bowen each finished the night with two assists.
