BCHL, Coastal Conference, Interior Conference

BCHL Today: League seeks financial assistance, Westhaver wins Community Hero Award, Sleeth commits to SUNY-Oswego, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

BCHL seeks financial assistance from BC government

The BC Hockey League put out a news release on Wednesday regarding its desire to seek financial support from the government of BC due to losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

BCHLNetwork co-founder and managing editor Brian Wiebe spoke with BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb after the announcement was released.

Grizzlies forward Westhaver named BCHL Community Hero Award winner

Victoria Grizzlies forward Marty Westhaver is the final recipient of the BCHL Community Hero Award for the 2019-20 season. During his four seasons in Victoria, the 21-year-old volunteered to coach minor hockey, visited schools, and helped raise money for cancer research.

Vipers forward Sleeth commits to SUNY-Oswego

Vernon Vipers forward Connor Sleeth has committed to attend NCAA Div. III SUNY-Oswego this September. Sleeth, 21, had six goals and 19 assists in 57 games with the Vipers in 2019-20.

Smokies star Johnson is a finalist for CJHL MVP

Trail Smoke Eaters forward Kent Johnson is one of five finalists for CJHL Most Valuable Player for the 2019-20 season. Johnson was BCHL MVP, leading scorer and Most Sportsmanlike Player this past season after putting up 41 goals and 60 assists in 52 games.

Cents defenceman Clark traded in the WHL

Merritt Centennials defenceman Braydon Clark had his Western Hockey League rights traded from Prince Albert to Spokane on Wednesday for a 2022 sixth-round bantam draft pick.

Clark had one goal and two assists in 16 games with Merritt in 2019-20. The 18-year-old signed with the Cents on Nov. 20 after being released from Prince Albert’s active roster.

Spruce Kings hire Walkey as new trainer

The Prince George Spruce Kings have hired Joel Walkey as trainer for the 2020-21 season. Walkey was trainer for the Saanich Braves of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League for the past three seasons.

Incoming Chiefs defenceman O’Connor wins scholarship

Defenceman Kennedy O’Connor, who is committed to play for the Chilliwack Chiefs, earned the Joe Biraelli Scholarship Fund award from The Loomis Chaffee School. O’Connor also won the team’s first Cultural Hero and Legacy Award.

O’Connor, 18, is committed to the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) to start in September 2021. He had three goals and 14 assists in 32 games as captain for Loomis.

Brubacher signs AHL contract with New York Islanders

Defenceman Adam Brubacher (18 goals, 31 assists in 58 games with Prince George and Powell River) has signed an AHL contract with the New York Islanders, whose minor league affiliate is the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Brubacher wrapped up a four year NCAA career at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he put up 26 goals and 80 assists in 148 games.

Three Stars of the Night ⏪ April 23, 2016

First Star: West Kelowna defenceman Rylan Yaremko had three assists as the Warriors doubled Chilliwack 4-2 in game six to win the 2016 Fred Page Cup championship series.

Second Star: Warriors forward Bryan Basilico had a pair of assists in the win.

Third Star: Chilliwack forward Vimal Sukumaran posted a goal and an assist in the loss.

Honourable Mentions: Chiefs goaltender Aidan Pelino made 33 saves. West Kelowna goaltender Keelan Williams stopped 36 shots. Warriors forward Kylar Hope scored the game-winner at 6:54 of the third period.