Grizzlies bring in Hardy for 2022-23
The Victoria Grizzlies have added 2003-born forward Owen Hardy for the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season.
The Stittsville, ON native is into his second season at Lake Forest Academy in Illinois. Through 16 games this season, Hardy has nine goals and 18 points.
Andonovski signs college free agent deal with Pittsburgh
Princeton University forward Corey Andonovski (16 goals, 22 assists in 55 games with Chilliwack in 2017-18) has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The contract kicks in next season.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old from Uxbridge, ON has signed an amateur tryout deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. He had 21 goals and 50 points in 80 NCAA games with Princeton over the last four seasons.
Cents recruit Murray for next season
The Merritt Centennials announced the commitment of 2003-born forward Jaxson Murray as a new recruit for the 2022-23 BCHL season.
The St. Clements, ON product has 22 goals and 47 points in 39 games with the Elmira Sugar Kings of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League this season.
He was selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 14th round, 269th overall, in the 2019 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
BCHL names three stars of the week
The BC Hockey League unveiled its three stars of the week on Monday, with Surrey Eagles goaltender Max Prazma, Trail Smoke Eaters goaltender Evan Fradette, and West Kelowna Warriors defenseman Nicolas Ardanaz taking the honours.
Prazma, a 2002-born netminder from Calgary, AB, won all three games he started last week, including a shutout. He ended the week with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage.
Fradette, a 2001-born product of St. Albert, AB, kicked out 77 of 80 shots he faced to wrap the week with a 1-1 record and a .963 save percentage.
Ardanaz, a 2002-born native of Surrey, BC, scored one goal and added five assists for six points in three contests last week. He recorded three assists on Wednesday, a goal and an assist on Friday, and a helper on Saturday as the Warriors won all three games.
Watt heads to Victoria for 2022-23
2004-born forward Ryan Watt of the Vancouver Northwest Hawks has committed to the Victoria Grizzlies for next season.
Watt, who hails from North Vancouver, BC, has 24 goals and 53 points in 36 BC Elite Hockey League games for the Hawks this season. He also made his BCHL debut as an affiliate player for the Langley Rivermen on Feb. 16.
Scheel called up by Dallas from AHL Texas
Goaltender Adam Scheel (29-12-0, 2.08 goals-against average, .927 save percentage, three shutouts in 45 games with Penticton in 2017-18) has been recalled by the NHL’s Dallas Stars.
The 22-year-old product of Lakewood, OH is 7-6-9, with a 2.91 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage in 22 games with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.
Reign signs Lohan to professional tryout contract
Defenseman Kevin Lohan (five goals, 18 assists in 54 games with Merritt in 2012-13) has signed a professional tryout contract with the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
Lohan, a 28-year-old from Cold Spring Harbor, NY, has two goals and seven points in 50 games with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL this season. He also played one game with Syracuse of the AHL in October.
Grizzlies nab Culley for next season
The Victoria Grizzlies have signed 2004-born defenseman Masen Culley from Lake Forest Academy for next season. Culley is from Ashton, ON, and has eight goals and 15 points in 16 games this season at Lake Forest.
He was chosen in the third round, 25th overall, by the Carleton Place Canadians in the 2019 Central Canada Hockey League Bantam Protected Draft.
Taylor inks a PTO with Syracuse
Goaltender Ty Taylor (36-17-0, 2.38 goals-against average, .919 save percentage, eight shutouts in 60 games with Vernon from 2016-18) has signed a pro tryout contract with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
The 22-year-old native of Richmond, BC played 13 USPORTS games with Grant MacEwan University this season, posting a 1-11-0 record along with a 4.16 goals-against average, an .890 save percentage, and one shutout. He also played one game with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
Marino called up to AHL Chicago
Forward Kyle Marino (17 goals, 34 assists in 111 games with West Kelowna from 2014-16) was recalled by the AHL’s Chicago Wolves from the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL on Sunday.
The 26-year-old product of Niagara Falls, ON has posted four goals and 10 points in 19 games with the Steelheads this season. He has also played 13 games with the Wolves but hasn’t scored any points.
Victoria signs Brandt as a recruit for 2022-23
2004-born forward Jack Brandt of Columbus, OH has been recruited by the Victoria Grizzlies for 2022-23.
Brandt has four goals and 18 points in 24 games with the Neponset Valley River Rats U18 AAA this season. He was selected in the sixth round, 90th overall, by Des Moines in the 2020 US Hockey League Futures Draft.
Redmond traded from Cincinnati to Newfoundland
26-year-old goaltender Angus Redmond (59-61-0, 2.94 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, and eight shutouts with Salmon Arm from 2012-16) was acquired by the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers from the Cincinnati Cyclones on Monday.
Redmond, who is from Langley, BC, has gotten in 17 ECHL games with Kansas City and the Cyclones this season, securing a 7-8-0 record to go with a 3.38 goals-against average, a .885 save percentage, and one shutout.
Harpur turns pro with the Orlando Solar Bears
Defenseman Chris Harpur (12 goals, 62 assists in 168 games with Victoria and Cowichan Valley from 2014-17) has signed an ECHL standard player contract with the Orlando Solar Bears.
Harpur, a 25-year-old from Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, played the last five seasons at Niagara University, posting 10 goals and 58 points in 161 NCAA games.
Pieper released from Adirondack
28-year-old forward Canon Pieper (33 goals, 33 assists in 57 games with Coquitlam in 2013-14) was released by the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder on Saturday.
The Roseville, MN native had two assists in five games for the Thunder. He also has eight points in 24 games with Orlando as well as an assist in two contests with Iowa.
Wyszomirski cut loose by Indy
Defenseman Craig Wyszomirski (eight goals, 28 assists in 54 games with Surrey in 2012-13) was released by the Indy Fuel of the ECHL on Monday.
The 29-year-old product of Mahwah, NJ notched four assists in 24 games with the Fuel after signing with the team at the end of December.
Vandekamp and Grande Prairie walk away from each other
The Grande Prairie Storm and general manager and head coach Mike Vandekamp have mutually parted ways.
The 50-year-old from Fort St. John, BC spent the last two seasons with the Storm. Grande Prairie finished with a 22-30-8 record this past season and missed the playoffs.
Vandekamp has spent 14 seasons as a head coach in the BCHL with Merritt, Vernon, Powell River, and Nanaimo.
