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BCHL Today: BCHL partners with Save-On-Foods, Chiefs recruit Savage, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Players benefit from new league partnership with Save-On-Foods

The BC Hockey League announced a partnership with Save-On-Foods on Tuesday that includes a player support program.

The program is designed to help BCHL players and their families at a financial level by cover some of the costs incurred with the pod season.

The league also announced a “Billet of the Week” feature recognizing a billet family per team during the season. Each family receives a gift card from Save-On-Foods.

Hutcheson scores first career BCHL goal

2000-born forward Nolan Hutcheson scored his first career BCHL goal on Tuesday night and it was the game-winner in a 2-0 victory over Cowichan Valley.

Hutcheson had 47 goals in 183 career games with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League from 2017-20. He signed with the Clippers in January to close out his junior hockey career.

Chiefs add Savage for 2021-22 season

The Chilliwack Chiefs announced on Wednesday the commitment of 2003-born goaltender Cole Savage for the 2021-22 BCHL season.

Savage, who’s from Langley, got into two games this season with Yale Hockey Academy U18 Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League and posted a 1-1 record with a 2.50 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage.

Galajda transfers from Cornell to Notre Dame

After four seasons at Cornell University, goaltender Matthew Galajda (43-32-0, 2.52 GAA, .918 SV%, 7 SO in 83 games with Victoria from 2015-17) has transferred to the University of Notre Dame for this September.

The 23-year-old from Aurora, Ontario finishes his career at Cornell with a 60-15-9 record along with a 1.64 GAA, a .930 save percentage, and an eye-popping 19 shutouts.

Cruikshank set to join Boston College next season

Colorado College captain Grant Cruikshank (32 goals, 21 assists in 57 games with Penticton in 2017-18) is set to join Boston College for 2021-22.

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

Olischefski enters NCAA transfer portal

University of Denver captain Kohen Olischefski (38 goals, 87 assists in 124 games with Chilliwack from 2015-17) is looking to transfer to a new school for this fall.

According to Grand Forks Herald college hockey writer Brad Elliott Schlossman, Olischefski has entered the NCAA’s transfer portal with the intention of leaving the Pioneers.

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

Cholowski rejoins Detroit Red Wings taxi squad

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski (16 goals, 51 assists in 106 games with Chilliwack from 2014-16) has been reassigned by the Detroit Red Wings from their American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan to their taxi squad.

Cholowski, who was chosen 20th overall by Detroit in the 2016 NHL Draft, has appeared in two games for the Red Wings this season.

He also has three goals and 10 points in 13 games with Grand Rapids.

Nash placed on IR, Dalpe called up by the Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Tuesday that 31-year-old forward Riley Nash (38 goals, 46 assists in 56 games with Salmon Arm from 2006-07) has been placed on injured reserve.

Nash is battling a sprained knee and expected to miss four to six weeks. The Consort, Alberta product has seven points in 37 games with Columbus this season.

The Blue Jackets also announced the recall of forward Zac Dalpe (27 goals and 36 assists in 46 games with Penticton in 2007-08) from their taxi squad.

The 31-year-old has one goal in four games with Columbus this season as well as four points in five games with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

Cotton unconditionally waived by the Carolina Hurricanes

Forward Jason Cotton (50 goals, 67 assists in 108 games for West Kelowna from 2013-15) has been placed on unconditional waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes, with the intention of retiring.

The 26-year-old from Parker, Texas has four goals and six points in 17 games with the Komets this season. He’s also played one game with the Wolves in 2020-21, going scoreless in a 4-2 win over Grand Rapids on Feb. 11.

Detroit brings Rasmussen up to the taxi squad

Forward Michael Rasmussen (no points in one game with Penticton in 2014-15) was called up to the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings from their taxi squad on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has two goals and seven points in 25 games with the Red Wings this season. He’s also posted two goals and six points in seven AHL games with Grand Rapids.

Penguins put Tanev on injured reserve

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Brandon Tanev (11 goals, 22 assists in 58 games with Surrey in 2011-12) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, retroactive to this past Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Toronto has an upper-body injury and is out of the Pens lineup on a week-to-week basis. Tanev has seven goals and 16 points in 32 games with Pittsburgh this season.

McNicholas traded in the ECHL from Indy to Tulsa

Forward Michael McNicholas (33 goals, 68 assists with Nanaimo and Vernon from 2012-14) was traded in the ECHL from the Indy Fuel to the Tulsa Oilers on Tuesday.

McNicholas, 27, had a goal in two games with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies before being released in late December. He notched five goals and 15 points in 25 games with the Fuel before the trade to Tulsa.

Three Stars of the Night

First Star: Nanaimo goaltender Jordan Naylor made 32 saves for his seventh career BCHL shutout in a 2-0 win over Cowichan Valley.

Second Star: Clippers forward Nolan Hutcheson scored at the 3:05 mark of the third period to get the game-winning goal.

Third Star: Capitals netminder Lucas Pfeil stopped 31 out of 33 shots in the loss.

Honourable Mentions: Clippers forward Ethan Jones added the insurance goal in the win. Nanaimo forward Keighan Gerrie posted an assist on Hutcheson’s winner on his 20th birthday.