BCHL Bulletin: Cents add a new affiliate player, Backs AP scores his first BCHL goal, and more!

Cents add Sanford as an affiliate player

The Kamloops Storm want to congratulate Kyle Sanford on playing his first BCHL hockey game today with the Merritt Centenniels.

— OfficialKamloopsStorm (@StormKamloops) January 2, 2022

The Merritt Centennials have added 2004-born forward Kyle Sanford as an affiliate player for the 2021-22 season. The Kamloops, BC product made his BCHL debut in Sunday’s 3-2 overtime win against Cranbrook.

Sanford is a full-time player with the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In 25 games this season with the Storm, he has five goals and 17 points.

Salmon Arm vs. Vernon first career BCHL goals

Backs add two more in second period!

🚨Anderson (First BCHL Goal)
🍎Ladyman (16)
🍎Lammens (7)

🚨Serdachny (14)
🍎Tassy (24)
🍎Ladyman (17) PP

@CastanetNews l Total Restoration Services pic.twitter.com/KXVq6gcMq6

— Salmon Arm Silverbacks (@SASilverbacks) January 3, 2022

Salmon Arm affiliate player Zakery Anderson scored his first career BC Hockey League goal on Sunday as the Silverbacks defeated the Vernon Vipers 4-1.

Anderson’s goal came at 5:21 of the second period to make the score 3-0 Backs. The milestone marker also came in the Kamloops, BC product’s first career BCHL game.

Pritchard returned to Reading by AHL Rochester

PREVIEW: Battle in Worcester opens up new year for @ReadingRoyals.

Jacob Pritchard is back, Garrett McFadden is signed, Joe Young will be the EBUG for Hayden Hawkey, who is loaned to Rochester.

Read: https://t.co/BxcyYqQk7e pic.twitter.com/1npCVuu9d9

— Reading Royals PR (@ReadingRoyalsPR) January 2, 2022

Forward Jacob Pritchard (39 goals, 37 assists in 54 games with Powell River in 2014-15) was released by the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League from his professional tryout contract and returned to the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

The 26-year-old from Macomb Township, MI has eight goals and 16 points in 20 games with the Royals this season. He played two games with the Americans since signing the PTO on Dec. 28 but didn’t score any points.

Bridgeport releases Coughlin to Worcester of the ECHL

AHL transactions have the @AHLIslanders releasing Ross Olsson and Liam Coughlin from their PTOs. @RailersHC

— Darryl Hunt (@210Darryl) January 2, 2022

Forward Liam Coughlin (38 goals, 67 assists in 107 games with Vernon from 2013-15) was released from his professional tryout agreement with the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL.

Coughlin, a 27-year-old from South Boston, MA, has five goals and 13 points in 15 games with the ECHL’s Worcester Railers this season. He was pointless in two games with the Islanders.

Three Stars of the Night ⭐⭐⭐

First Star: Powell River forward Kaleb Nelson had two goals and an assist as the Kings dumped Cowichan Valley 5-2.

Second Star: Nanaimo forward Sean Donaldson notched a pair of goals and added an assist as the Clippers clubbed Coquitlam 7-0.

Third Star: Merritt goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts stopped 33 shots as the Centennials edged Cranbrook 3-2 in overtime.

Honourable Mentions: Clippers forward Charles-Edward Tardif had a pair of goals in Nanaimo’s win.