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BCHL Today: Bucks get their man in Ryan Donald, Vees, Chiefs and Eagles announce NCAA-bound recruits, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Bucks hire Ryan Donald as first GM/Head Coach

The Cranbrook Bucks named St. Albert, Alberta product Ryan Donald as the first GM and coach in franchise history on Tuesday. He signed a four-year contract with Cranbrook that runs through the end of the 2023-24 season.

Donald joins the Bucks from the Yale University Bulldogs of the NCAA, where the 33-year-old was an assistant coach for the last five seasons. He spent a short amount of time in the BCHL with Trail as an assistant coach during the spring and summer of 2015 but didn’t actually appear behind the bench because he left to join Yale.

Donald has junior A coaching experience with the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League. He first was hired by the Slammers as an assistant for the 2013-14 season. He opened 2014-15 in that role but took over as head coach and assistant GM in February 2015.

Vees sign forward McGuire for next season

17-year-old forward Ryan McGuire has committed to play for the Penticton Vees for the 2020-21 season. McGuire spent this past year at Belmont Hill High School where he scored 22 goals and 16 assists in 30 games. He also played four games as an affiliate with the USHL’s Madison Capitols.

McGuire is committed to attend Colgate University in September 2021. His father Pierre is a former assistant coach with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators and currently, an NHL analyst for NBC Sports.

Eagles sign St. Andrew’s forward Galata

The Surrey Eagles added an offensive weapon to their arsenal with the signing of forward Cole Galata for next season. Galata is committed to Bentley University for 2021-22.

He put up an eye-popping 32 goals and 69 assists in 54 CAHS games with St. Andrew’s College this season. Galata added eight goals and 14 assists in 12 games with St. Andrew’s as it played in the Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario Athletic Association.

Chiefs ink Union College commit Getz for 2020-21

The Chilliwack Chiefs have signed defenceman Lachlan Getz for the 2020-21 season. Getz, who was captain at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey this season, put up six goals and 25 assists in 31 games.

The 18-year-old from Northfield, Illinois is committed to Union College to start in September 2021. He was selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the 2018 US Hockey League Futures Draft. Getz also went to the Saginaw Spirit in the 2018 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

Rivermen forward Stein commits to Albertus Magnus College

Langley Rivermen forward Jonathan Stein is off to play NCAA Division III next season. The 20-year-old has committed to Albertus Magnus College.

Stein had ten goals and eight assists in 46 games with the Rivermen this season.

Former Warriors forward Cotton signs with Carolina

Forward Jason Cotton (50 goals, 67 assists in 108 games for West Kelowna from 2013-15) signed an entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

The Sacred Heart University senior finished this season with 20 goals and 17 assists in 34 games. Cotton’s contract with the Hurricanes is worth $700,000 at the NHL level, $50,000 at the AHL level and includes a $25,000 signing bonus.

Three Stars of the Night ⏪ March 25, 2019

First Star: Victoria forward Riley Hughes had a goal and two assists as the Grizzlies waxed Powell River 6-1.

Second Star: Vernon forward Jagger Williamson notched a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over Trail.

Third Star: Smoke Eaters forward Carter Jones posted a pair of assists in the loss to the Vipers.

Honourable Mentions: Vernon forward Josh Latta and Grizzlies forward Marty Westhaver each scored a pair of goals. Powell River goaltender Mitch Adamyk made 40 saves. Vipers defenceman Carver Watson, Victoria forward Alex Newhook and Grizzlies defenceman Carter Berger each tallied a goal and an assist.