BCHL Bulletin: Express add Manfre for 2022-23, Spruce Kings, Vipers, and Kings make deals, and more!

Express brings in Princeton University commit Manfre

The Coquitlam Express announced on Monday the signing of 2004-born forward Jake Manfre for the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season.

The Smithtown, NY product is committed to Princeton University for September 2023. He spent this past season with the Long Island Gulls 18U AAA of the NorthEast Pack Hockey League and posted 10 goals and 13 points in a dozen games.

Spruce Kings add Feddema to their crease

The Prince George Spruce Kings have acquired 2003-born goaltender Aidan Feddema from the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

Feddema was a rookie in the AJHL in 2021-22, finishing with an 11-16-6 record, a 3.42 goals-against average, an .892 save percentage, and one shutout. The Bowmanville, ON product is an alumnus of Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, QC.

Vipers pick up Krulicki from Kemptville of the CCHL

The Vernon Vipers swung a trade on Monday to acquire 2002-born forward Brock Krulicki from the Central Canada Hockey League’s Kemptville 73s for future considerations.

The native of Wellesley, ON was tied for first in scoring on the 73s this past season with 25 goals and 53 points in 55 games. He added four points in six CCHL playoff games.

Kings swap Yakubowski to Winnipeg for Rignor

The Powell River Kings have traded 2002-born defender Matthew Yakubowski to the Winnipeg Freeze of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for 2004-born forward Ryder Ringor.

Yakubowski hails from Winnipeg and actually posted 21 points in 32 games with the Freeze before being acquired by Powell River at the Jan. 10 trade deadline. He added two assists in 22 games with the Kings to wrap up the season.

Ringor posted 13 goals and 35 points in 48 games as a rookie with the Freeze in 2021-22. His totals were second in scoring for his hometown Winnipeg squad.

Gerrie takes his game to U SPORTS for 2022-23

Nanaimo Clippers forward Keighan Gerrie has committed to Lakehead University to play U SPORTS hockey this fall.

The 2001-born centre from Thunder Bay, ON finished the 2021-22 season with 13 goals and 26 points in 32 games for the Clippers. He added seven goals and 13 points in 15 playoff games.

Orban signs with UTE in Hungary

24-year-old forward James Orban (three goals, 12 assists in 30 games with Alberni Valley in 2017-18) has signed with UTE of Hungary’s Erste Liga after three seasons at the University of British Columbia.

In 29 U SPORTS games at UBC, the Calgary, AB native finished with a goal and three assists. He also played one playoff game with the Thunderbirds this past spring.

Puffer signs in Great Britain for 2022-23

Forward Craig Puffer (29 goals, 29 assists in 58 games with Chilliwack in 2014-15) has signed a contract for 2021-22 with the Nottingham Panthers of the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League.

The 27-year-old from Greenwich, CT had 13 goals and 32 points in 43 games with Esbjerg Energy of Metal Ligaen in Denmark this past season.

Lee inks a contract with Roanne

Forward Tommy Lee (34 goals, 50 assists in 112 games with Chilliwack from 2016-18) has signed a contract with Roanne of FFHG, Division 2, the third tier of pro hockey in France.

Lee, a 24-year-old from Calgary, AB, spent last season with Åmåls SK of HockeyTvåan, putting up 29 goals and 70 points in 25 games. HockeyTvåan is the fourth tier of Swedish pro hockey.

Downing returns to Esbjerg for 2022-23

Forward Grayson Downing (65 goals, 64 assists in 131 games with Westside from 2008-11) has signed an extension for the 2022-23 season with Esbjerg Energy of Metal Ligaen, which is the top level of pro hockey in Denmark.

The 30-year-old from Abbotsford, BC had 10 goals and 34 points in 32 games with Esbjerg last season. Downing also played for the Energy in 2019-20 and notched 17 points in 23 games.

Wruck shipped from Steinbach to Weyburn

2002-born defender Eduard Wruck (no points in four games with Alberni Valley in 2020-21) was acquired by the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League from Steinbach of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League on Monday for a player development fee.

The North Vancouver, BC product finished 2021-22 with a pair of goals and a dozen points in 33 games for the Pistons. He also got into two MJHL playoff games.