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BCHL Today: Lane named BCHL POW, five first career BCHL goals, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Cranbrook vs. Trail first career BCHL goals

Trail Smoke Eaters forward Justin Ross scored his first BCHL goal, the insurance marker at 17:58 of the second period, in a 5-3 win over Cranbrook.

The 2001-born Calgary product was playing his ninth BCHL game and now has three points on the season.

2000-born Bucks right winger Reece Henry notched his first BC Hockey League goal Monday night in the loss to Trail. It came at the 13:04 mark of the third period.

The Regina native now has a goal and two points in 10 games this season. Henry is a veteran of 122 games in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Cowichan Valley vs. Victoria first career BCHL goals

Victoria Grizzlies 2003-born forward Desmond Arthurs potted his first BCHL goal on Wednesday in a 5-1 win against Cowichan Valley.

The goal was Victoria’s first of the game, at 2:17 of the first period, and came in Arthurs’ ninth career BCHL game. He played two games last season as an affiliate in addition to seven games this season.

Grizzlies 2002-born forward Colby Joseph scored his first BCHL goal at 3:45 of the second period of the win over the Capitals.

Joseph’s goal ended up being the game-winner. The Elkhorn, Manitoba product was playing his fifth BCHL game after committing to the Grizzlies last April.

Powell River vs. Surrey first career BCHL goals

Powell River Kings 2002-born forward Lex Friesen scored his first BCHL goal at 13:15 of the second period in a 5-2 loss to the Surrey Eagles.

Friesen’s goal gave the Kings a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. He was playing in his sixth BCHL game after starting the season with the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

Lane named BCHL player of the week

Penticton Vees goaltender Kaeden Lane has been a brick wall this season and his efforts over the last seven days earned him the BC Hockey League’s player of the week award on Monday.

The 2001-born uncommitted netminder from Burnaby was 3-1 with a 0.76 goals-against-average, a .966 save percentage in four games as the Vees went 4-1 on the week and are now 7-1 on the season.

Lane’s efforts included a pair of shutouts during the week, stopping 16 shots against Cranbrook on Tuesday and 27 shots against Trail on Sunday.

Express forward Pearson to sit out two games

Coquitlam Express forward Danny Pearson was given a two-game suspension for his checking from behind major penalty and game misconduct against Powell River on Sunday.

The 2000-born forward from Vancouver will sit out Wednesday’s return match-up with the Kings as well as Friday’s game against Surrey. Pearson can return to Coquitlam’s lineup on Saturday against Powell River.

Johnson ranked 8th overall by Bob McKenzie for 2021 NHL Draft

University of Michigan forward Kent Johnson (61 goals and 86 assists in 112 games with Trail from 2018-20) is listed as the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

Johnson, a projected first-round pick from Port Moody, BC, had 27 points in 26 games as a freshman for the Wolverines this past season.

Kings defenseman Johnston suspended three games

2003-born Powell River Kings defenseman Brody Johnston was handed a three-game suspension for receiving a gross misconduct penalty. Under BC Hockey regulations, all gross misconduct penalties carry a minimum three-game suspension.

Johnston, who’s from Vanderhoof, BC, sat out Powell River’s 5-3 loss to Surrey on Monday and will also miss games on Wednesday and Saturday against Coquitlam. He is eligible to return to the Kings’ lineup on Sunday against the Eagles.

Castagna commits to Bentley University

Alberni Valley Bulldogs veteran forward Stephen Castagna announced his commitment to Bentley University on Monday. The North Vancouverite will start his NCAA career this fall.

The 2000-born forward is eighth overall in BCHL scoring this season with seven goals and 14 points in eight games. He has 23 goals and 58 points in 126 games with the Bulldogs over the last four seasons.

Olischefski transfers to Providence College

University of Denver captain Kohen Olischefski (38 goals, 87 assists in 124 games with Chilliwack from 2015-17) has transferred to Providence College for the 2021-22 season.

The 23-year-old from Abbotsford, BC posted 22 goals and 53 points in 134 games with Denver over the last three seasons.

Desharnais inks two-year pacts with Bakersfield

Defenseman Vincent Desharnais (one goal, four assists in 54 games with Chilliwack in 2014-15) has signed a two-year contract extension with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League. The contract kicks in next season.

Desharnais, who’s from Laval, Quebec, has seven assists in 26 games with the Condors this season. The 24-year-old is in his second season of pro hockey.

Cruickshank moves from Colorado College to the University of Minnesota

Colorado College captain Grant Cruikshank (32 goals, 21 assists in 57 games with Penticton in 2017-18) announced on Monday that is transferring to the University of Minnesota for the 2021-22 NCAA hockey season.

The 22-year-old from Delafield, Wisconsin had 30 goals and 45 points in 90 games with Colorado College over the last three seasons.

Cuglietta sent down from Chicago to Indy

Forward Diego Cuglietta (40 goals, 88 assists in 149 games for Merritt from 2012-15) was reassigned from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel on Monday.

The 25-year-old from Kamloops played one game with Chicago, a 4-3 shootout loss to Rockford on Saturday. Cuglietta has 10 goals and 21 points in 30 ECHL games split between Indy and Utah this season.

Morley released by Stavanger Oilers

Forward David Morley (25 goals, 51 assists in 52 games with Victoria in 2010-11) has been released by the Stavanger Oilers of Norway’s top hockey league.

Morley, 30, had seven goals and 28 points in 24 games with the Oilers this past season. He played the last three seasons with Stavanger, posting 39 goals and 109 points.

Gendron loaned from Utah to Colorado

Defenseman Miles Gendron (five goals, 12 assists in 54 games with Penticton in 2014-15) has been loaned by the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.

The 24-year-old from Oakville, Ontario has one goal in six games with the Eagles this season. He has seven goals and 13 points in 38 games with Utah.

Three Stars of the Night ⭐⭐⭐

First Star: Surrey forward Holden Katzalay posted a goal and a pair of assists in the Eagles 5-3 come-from-behind win over Powell River.

Second Star: Grizzlies forward Connor Eddy put up two goals and an assist in Victoria’s 5-1 thumping of Cowichan Valley.

Third Star: Trail defenseman Ryan Helliwell had a goal and two assists in the Smoke Eaters 5-3 victory against Cranbrook.

Honourable Mentions: Smoke Eaters forward Quinn Disher and Spruce Kings forward Andrew Seaman each notched two goals. Victoria goaltender Carter Woodside made 35 saves. Trail forward Kalen Szeto posted three assists. West Kelowna goaltender Johnny Derrick stopped 32 shots.