The BC Hockey League announced on Monday that the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Langley Rivermen, and Penticton Vees have paused their activities in accordance with the league’s COVID-19 protocol and provincial health regulations.
According to the announcement, the three teams won’t play any games until after Jan. 9 at the earliest. It means the following games are postponed:
Jan. 6
Langley at Cowichan Valley
Jan. 7
Cowichan Valley at Alberni Valley
Langley at Nanaimo
West Kelowna at Penticton
Jan. 8
Penticton at Salmon Arm
Jan. 9
Victoria at Langley
Chiefs pick up Allepot from Penticton
The Chilliwack Chiefs have acquired 2001-born defenseman Anthony Allepot from the Penticton Vees for future considerations.
The Trois-Rivières, QC product had a goal and 11 points in 27 games with the Vees this season since signing with them in mid-September. Allepot put up 28 points in 198 games in the Quebec Major Junior League from 2017-18 through to 2020-21.
Edwards suspended for two games by BCHL Department of Player Safety
After his minor penalty and misconduct for checking from behind assessed during a game on Jan. 2 was increased to a major and game misconduct, Cowichan Valley defenseman Jordan Edwards was suspended two games by the BCHL Department of Player Safety.
The 2002-born native of Saskatoon, SK is out for the Capitals’ games on Jan. 11 and Jan. 21 when they are able to resume activities per the BCHL’s COVID-19 policy.
Vees sign LA Kings prospect Doyle and forward Eisele
In addition to trading Allepot to Chilliwack, the Penticton Vees announced the signing of 2001-born defenseman Braden Doyle, who spent the first half of the season in the NCAA with Boston University.
The product of Lynnfield, MA had an assist in eight games as a freshman with BU this season. Doyle was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the sixth round, 157th overall, at the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Vees also signed 2001-born forward Adam Eisele for the remainder of the 2021-22 season. He hasn’t played this season due to injury but spent the 2020-21 season in the US Hockey League with the Youngstown Phantoms.
In eight games with the Phantoms, the Lake Elmo, MN native finished with two goals and two assists. He is committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato for this September to begin his NCAA career.
Cents deal away a pair of veteran forwards
The Merritt Centennials were busy on Monday, sending 2001-born forward Jerzy Orchard to the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and 2002-born forward Wyatt Marlow to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Sherwood Park Crusaders. Both deals see the Cents receive future considerations.
Orchard, who’s from Deslile, SK, led the Centennials in scoring this season with eight goals and 15 points in 22 games. He totalled 38 points in 68 career BCHL games in Merritt since joining the team for the 2019-20 season.
Marlow hails from Cranbrook, BC, and posted a goal and two assists in a dozen games with the Cents in 2021-22. Over the course of four BCHL seasons with Merritt and Salmon Arm, he has seven goals and 17 points in 111 games.
Smoke Eaters deal for University of Maine defenseman
The Trail Smoke Eaters made a big trade on Monday, picking up 2001-born defenseman Kabore Dunn from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL for 2003-born defenseman Chris Kobelka and future considerations.
Dunn, who’s from Mill Bay, BC, spent the last season and a half in the NCAA with the University of Maine, posting two assists in 11 games. He had 30 points in 55 games with the Oil Barons in 2019-20.
With the Smoke Eaters this season, Kobelka was in his first season of junior hockey and posted a goal and three assists in 20 games. The Calgary, AB product was recruited from Edge School U18 Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.
Silverbacks defenseman Hanvold suspended for three games
The BC Hockey League Department of Player Safety has suspended 2004-born Salmon Arm defenseman Lynden Hanvold for three games after his minor penalty and misconduct for a blow to the head was increased to a major penalty and game misconduct.
The infraction happened 2:49 into the first period of the Silverbacks’ 3-0 win over Vernon on Jan. 1. The Kelowna, BC product is eligible to return to Salmon Arm’s lineup on Jan. 12 in Penticton against the Vees.
Bottini commits to Canisius College
2002-born forward Stefano Bottini of the Penticton Vees has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Canisius College, starting this September.
Bottini, who hails from Lugano, SUI, has seven goals and 19 points for the Vees this season, his second in the BCHL. He is the 19th player from Penticton’s roster this season to commit to an NCAA Division I school.
Rivermen nab Valk from the Smoke Eaters
The Langley Rivermen announced the acquisition of 2002-born defenseman Garrett Valk from the Trail Smoke Eaters in exchange for future considerations on Monday.
Valk, a North Vancouverite, is into his third BCHL season. He had a goal and two assists in 19 games with the Smokies this season. His father Garry played 777 NHL games during a 13-year career.
Capitals acquire forward Walters from Battlefords
The Cowichan Valley Capitals have picked up 2002-born forward Kevin-Thomas Walters from the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for a player development fee (or future considerations).
Walters hails from Vernon, BC. He notched 11 goals and 21 points in 27 games with the North Stars this season after putting up a pair of assists in three games in 2020-21.
Niedermayer heads to Arizona State University
2004-born Penticton Vees defenseman Josh Niedermayer has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Arizona State University.
Niedermayer, a 17-year-old from Newport Beach, CA, has two goals and a dozen points in 17 games with the Vees this season after tallying 11 points in 18 games as a rookie in 2020-21.
Hammond brought up to Minnesota’s taxi squad
Goaltender Andrew Hammond (46-27-3, 2.74 goals-against average, .904 save percentage, eight shutouts in 82 games with West Kelowna, Vernon, and Surrey from 2007-09) was called up by the Minnesota Wild to its taxi squad on Monday.
The 33-year-old from White Rock, BC is 6-1-3 with a 2.09 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and three shutouts in nine games with the Iowa Wild of the AHL this season.
Miska joins Colorado’s taxi squad
Goaltender Hunter Miska (53-21-5, 2.03 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, seven shutouts in 80 games with Penticton from 2013-15) was recalled by the Colorado Avalanche to its taxi squad on Monday.
The 25-year-old from Stacy, MN is 1-2-0 with a 5.59 goals-against average and a .797 save percentage in four games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL this season. He’s also played two games with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, posting a 1-1-0 record alongside a 3.51 goals-against average and an .875 save percentage.
Stockton assigns Shortridge to Kansas City
Goaltender Andrew Shortridge (19-25-0, 3.15 goals-against-average, .915 save percentage, two shutouts with Vernon in 2015-16) was assigned by the Stockton Heat of the AHL to the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL on Monday.
The 26-year-old from Anchorage, AK is 0-1-0 with a 4.00 goals-against average and an .846 save percentage in one game with the Heat this season. He has played four games with the Mavericks as well, going 2-2-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and one shutout.
Charlotte brings Martin up from the Icemen
Forward Craig Martin (44 goals, 54 assists in 137 games with Trail, Vernon, and Alberni Valley from 2012-15) was recalled from the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL on Monday.
The 26-year-old Martin, who hails from Trail, BC, has notched 12 goals and 28 points in 30 games with the Icemen so far this season, his third in the ECHL.
Foley inks a professional tryout with Tucson of the AHL
Wheeling Nailers defenseman Matt Foley (one goal, eight assists in 38 games with Merritt in 2014-15) has signed a professional tryout with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL on loan from the ECHL club.
Foley, a 26-year-old from Longmeadow, MA, has a goal and three assists in 19 games with the Nailers as a sophomore this season. He’s also played one game on loan to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL but didn’t find the scoresheet.
Coatta gets the call from Tucson
Forward Max Coatta (15 goals, 17 assists in 50 games with Penticton in 2013-14) was called up from the Rapid City Rush of the ECHL to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on Monday afternoon.
Coatta, a 27-year-old from Minnetonka, MN, has 22 points in 30 games with Rapid City this season. He made his AHL debut with the Roadrunners in a game back on Oct. 16.
Sombrowski traded in the SJHL from Weyburn to Notre Dame
2001-born forward Nik Sombrowski (six goals, four assists in 25 games with Salmon Arm and Cranbrook between 2019-21) was traded from Weyburn to Notre Dame on Sunday for three picks in this year’s SJHL Draft.
The Fernie, BC product has put up 12 goals and 21 points in 28 games with the Red Wings this season.
