BC Hockey League cancels 2021 playoffs
BCHL announces season will end with no playoffs, plans for alternate set of pod awards
RELEASE: https://t.co/o01WZO4emQ pic.twitter.com/pyIphhBihb
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) April 27, 2021
The BC Hockey League announced on Tuesday the cancellation of the 2021 Fred Page Cup playoffs due to COVID-19 restrictions. The decision means the Prince George Spruce Kings, who won the trophy in 2019, remain the defending champions.
The post-season was halted after the first round last year because of the pandemic.
The BCHL also announced that it won’t hand out the regular awards this season either. Rather, it will award players in specific categories within each pod. A full breakdown of the awards is here.
Cents sign advertising agreement with the City of Merritt
The Merritt Centennials and the City of Merritt reached a new agreement that sees the BCHL team receive all revenue from advertising within the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
It’s the first time the Cents and the City have had an agreement on paper since the previous one expired in 2008. In the 13 years since then, there was only an annual verbal agreement reached.
Merritt City Council voted unanimously in favour of the agreement at its Apr. 20 meeting.
Kalezic commits to York University
COMMITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
Thrilled to have Colton Kalezic joining our 21’ class! Colton has put up 205 points in 276 Junior games in the @OJHLOfficial, @USHL, and finishing off in the @BCHockeyLeague with @PentictonVees!
Welcome to the @yorkulions family Colton! #HeartOfALion🦁 pic.twitter.com/fRXfTBdTUO
— York U Lions Men’s Hockey (@yorklionshockey) April 26, 2021
Forward Colton Kalezic (13 goals, 23 assists in 56 games with Penticton in 2019-20) has committed to play U SPORTS hockey at York University this fall.
The 21-year-old native of Toronto didn’t play with a team of record during the 2020-21 season.
Red Wings shuttle Boyle back to the minors
UPDATE: The #RedWings today reassigned goaltender Kaden Fulcher to the taxi squad from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and reassigned goaltender Kevin Boyle to the Griffins from the taxi squad.
Details: https://t.co/n7Ho3Fvlqx pic.twitter.com/Fduj4dsAZp
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 27, 2021
Goaltender Kevin Boyle (20-15-1, 2.99 GAA, .903 SV%, 1 SO in 39 games with Westside in 2010-11) was reassigned from the Detroit Red Wings taxi squad to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old from Manalapan Township, New Jersey is 5-2-1 with a 2.84 goals-against-average and a .886 save percentage in nine games with Grand Rapids this season.
Morley cut loose by Linkoping
Vi inleder denna tisdag med att berätta om fyra spelare som inte kommer representera LHC kommande säsong.
Tack för er tid i Clubens färger och för era insatser! #stadenslag pic.twitter.com/6B5YpQIqlC
— Linköping Hockey Club (@LHChockey) April 27, 2021
Forward Tyler Morley (67 goals, 89 assists in 208 games with Surrey from 2008-12) won’t be back with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League next season.
Linköping announced on Tuesday that it won’t renew the 29-year-old’s contract for 2021-22. Morley had five goals and 19 points in 53 games split between Linköping and Skellefteå AIK this past season.
Three Stars of the Night
First Star: Victoria forward Ellis Rickwood scored the winner 1:33 into overtime as the Grizzlies knocked off Cowichan Valley 3-2.
Second Star: Capitals netminder Lucas Pfeil stopped 31 shots, including 14 in the first period.
Third Star: Grizzlies goaltender Dryden DeMelo kicked out 28 shots, including 14 in the third period.
Honourable Mentions: Cowichan forward Max Bulawka scored the game-tying goal at 4:12 of the final frame to send it to overtime. Victoria forward Henri Schreifels had the opening goal for the Grizzlies.