Spruce Kings acquire Ross from Surrey
The Prince George Spruce Kings announced the acquisition of 2004-born defender Tait Ross from the Surrey Eagles on Thursday. Ross’s acquisition is the future considerations from a Nov. 29 trade that also saw PG nab 2002-born defender James Bohn from the Eagles for 2002-born defender Brody Gagno.
Ross, committed to Dartmouth College for September 2023, had five assists in 32 games for Surrey this past season. The Coquitlam, BC posted two goals and six points in 16 games for the Eagles during the 2020-21 pod season.
Seeley commits to Trail for 2022-23
The Trail Smoke Eaters garnered a commitment from 2005-born forward Connor Seeley for the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season.
The Winnipeg, MB product posted 11 goals and 33 points in 35 games with Pacific Coast Academy U18 Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League this past season.
He also played four games with Cowichan Valley as an affiliate and scored his first career BCHL goal in a 4-0 win over Coquitlam on Feb. 13.
Buss commits to Quinnipiac
2003-born forward Luke Buss of the Vernon Vipers has committed to Quinnipiac University. He’s the 10th member of the Vipers to commit to an NCAA school.
The Columbus, OH native notched 16 goals and 36 points in 48 games with the Snakes during the 2021-22 BCHL season as a freshman. It wasn’t announced if Buss’s commitment to the Bobcats is for this September or next.
Keith tapped to continue leading the Eagles
In the wake of new ownership, the Surrey Eagles confirmed on Thursday that Cam Keith (38 goals, 53 assists in 129 games with Trail and Victoria from 1997-00) will continue in his role as head coach and associate general manager.
The 41-year-old from Nelson, BC has been the lead voice behind the bench in Surrey since the 2019-20 season. Over the last three years, Keith has led the Eagles to a 72-51-5-4 record.
Bavaro transfers to the University of Notre Dame
Defender Drew Bavaro (nine goals, 24 assists in 51 games with Wenatchee in 2019-20) has transferred from Bentley University to the University of Notre Dame for this September.
The 21-year-old from Sarasota, FL compiled 11 goals and 39 points in 52 NCAA games with Bentley over the last two seasons.
Murphy cut loose by HK Olimpija Ljubljana
Forward Wade Murphy (69 goals, 112 assists in 172 games with Victoria and Penticton from 2010-13) was released by HK Olimpija Ljubljana of the ICE Hockey League on Thursday.
Murphy, 28, put up five goals and 23 points in 39 games for Olimpija during the 2021-22 season. It was the third season in Europe for the Victoria, BC product.
Vincent transfers to Long Island University
Wilton, CT native Anthony Vincent (12 goals, 25 assists in 79 games with Chilliwack from 2016-18) has transferred from College of the Holy Cross to Long Island University.
The transfer takes effect this September and comes after the 24-year-old Vincent posted 17 goals and 49 points in 101 games at Holy Cross over the last four seasons.
Zengerle makes the move to Straubing for 2022-23
33-year-old forward Mark Zengerle (64 goals, 149 assists in 114 games with Salmon Arm from 2008-10) has signed a deal with Straubing of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for 2022-23.
The Rochester, NY native has spent the last four seasons in the DEL, putting up 29 goals and 122 points in 142 games split between Eisbären Berlin and the Fischtown Pinguins.
Kovich transfers to Liberty University for this September
Defender Colton Kovich (five goals, 15 assists in 162 games with Langley and Coquitlam from 2017-21) is on the move from NCAA Division III Albertus Magnus College to Liberty University, which is part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
The Coquitlamite was a freshman with Albertus Magnus in 2021-22 and finished with one assist in 20 games.
Marks inks an extension with Nantes
Defender Cameron Marks (six goals, 29 assists in 99 games with Penticton and Coquitlam from 2012-14) has signed an extension for the 2022-23 season with Corsaires de Nantes of FFHG, Division 1.
The 27-year-old from North Vancouver, BC had a goal and a dozen points in 17 games for Nantes during the 2021-22 season. FFHG, Division 1 is the second tier of pro hockey in France.
Kelsey’s WHL rights traded from Moose Jaw to Red Deer
Victoria Grizzlies goaltender Kyle Kelsey had his Western Hockey League rights traded on Thursday from Moose Jaw to Red Deer in a decent-sized deal involving a total of three players and three WHL Prospects Draft picks.
The 2004-born netminder from Maple Ridge, BC signed a WHL standard player agreement with Moose Jaw in August 2019. He was 14-12-0 with a 2.83 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage in 28 games as a rookie with the Grizzlies this past season.
