BCHL Bulletin: Marple heads to Spruce Grove, Parfitt joins Blackfalds, and more
Coaching news
The Spruce Grove Saints added significant experience to their front office. Stan Marple is the new associate head coach and director of corporate partnerships. The 58-year-old takes over on June 1 after spending a decade as general manager of the University of Alberta Golden Bears. He brought three national titles to the program.
The Trail Smoke Eaters are searching for a new assistant coach. Bryan Kromm is departing the organization this summer, but will remain with the club through August to assist with the transition. The team is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 campaign.
Roster moves
The Blackfalds Bulldogs have landed a major commitment as they signed 2008-born forward Maxx Parfitt for next season. The Tampa, FL native stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds. He dominated the Canadian Sport School Hockey League last season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy U18 Prep, posting 26 goals and 52 points in just 28 games.
BCHL players moving on
River Arnason is making the jump to Major Junior. The 2008-born forward is a Winnipeg, MB native. He spent the 2025-26 season with the Prince George Spruce Kings, tallying nine goals and 24 points in 42 games as a rookie. Arnason is moving to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL for the 2026-27 season.
Luke Dahlen parlayed a standout tenure into a WHL opportunity. The 2006-born forward hails from Saskatoon, SK and has played for the Blackfalds Bulldogs for the last three seasons. He was third on the team with 29 goals and 51 points in 50 games last season. He has officially signed with the Edmonton Oil Kings for 2026-27.
Gabriel Simpson is headed to the Watertown Shamrocks of the North American Hockey League. The 2007-born defenseman is from Lafayette, CO. He split the 2025-26 season between the Okotoks Oilers and the Prince George Spruce Kings, totalling three goals and five assists in 39 games. He remains committed to NCAA Division I Lindenwood University.
League notes
Eleven BCHL officials have earned invites to the 2026 NHL Officiating Combine. The August event takes place in Buffalo, NY. The group features first-timers Owen Lohmeier, Eric Scherger, and Christian Yip. They join eight returning veterans. This highlights the league’s strong development pipeline for professional officials.
Alumni updates
Jérémie Bucheler is making the jump to Europe. The 26-year-old is a Montreal, QC native who patrolled the blue line for the Victoria Grizzlies in 2018-19. He posted 45 points in 54 games that season. He recorded three points in 15 games for the ECHL’s Indy Fuel in 2025-26 before signing with Genève-Servette HC for next season.
Michael Stiliadis is seeking a new home after a third season in France. The 32-year-old is a Woodbridge, ON native who played for the Victoria Grizzlies and Vernon Vipers over the course of three years from 2012 to 2015. He posted a career 3.28 GAA and four shutouts in 77 BCHL appearances. Last season, he backstopped Montpellier of FFHG, Division 2, to a 13-2-0 record with a 2.36 GAA. Where he is off to for next year is unknown.
