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BCHL Today: Rivermen, Grizzlies swing deal, Bulldogs send Duff east, and more!

Written by Paul Figler on

Rivermen swing deal with Grizzlies

The Langley Rivermen announced the acquisition of 2003-born defenseman Tanner Attew, along with future considerations in exchange for 2002-born forward Kalen Szeto.

Szeto, who’s from Vancouver, BC, was loaned to the Trail Smoke Eaters for the 2020-21 hub season. In 17 games he had seven goals and eight assists.

Attew, a South Surrey, BC resident, played 13 games with the Grizzlies in 2020-21 scoring once and adding three assists. It was his first BCHL season.

Smoke Eaters Acquire Fradette

In an exchange of 20-year-old players, the Trail Smoke Eaters have acquired goaltender Evan Fradette from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL.

Fradette, who’s from St. Albert, AB, spent last season with the Oil Barons where he registered a 7-0-2 record through nine starts. He also had a 2.31 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.

The Smoke Eaters sent forward Justin Ross to the Oil Barons to complete the transaction. Ross scored one goal and added four assists in 15 games last season with the Smoke Eaters.

Bulldogs deal Duff

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have sent 18-year-old forward Talon Duff to the Renfrew Wolves of the CCHL.

Duff, who’s from Maple Ridge, BC, played nine games with the Bulldogs in 2020-21, registering one assist. He also played three games with the Ridge Meadows Flames of the PIJHL, where he scored three goals.

Alberni Valley will receive future considerations in the trade.

Desbiens signs with Mariners

25-year-old Rosemere, QC forward Jonathan Desbiens (71 goals, 66 assists in 112 games with the West Kelowna Warriors 2014-16) has signed with the Mariners of Maine in the ECHL.

Desbiens did not play in 2020-21 due to COVID-19 restrictions. He finished a four-year career at Bentley University in 2019-20. Desbiens scored 13 goals and added 17 assists in 35 games in his final season.

Nogard heads back to Atlanta

27-year-old Mississauga, ON forward Luke Nogard (32 goals, 32 assists in 110 games with the Powell River Kings 2012-14) has signed with the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators.

Nogard spent the 2020-21 season with the Florida Everblades, where he scored six goals and added eight assists in 36 games.

This will be Nogard’s second time playing for the Gladiators as he played 30 games with the team in 2019-20.

McNicholas signs in Scotland

27-year-old Reno, NV forward Michael McNicholas (33 goals, 68 assists in 91 games with Nanaimo and Vernon 2012-’14) has signed with the Fife Flyers of the EIHL in Scotland.

McNicholas split the 2020-21 season between three ECHL teams. In two games with the Utah Grizzlies, he scored one goal. McNicholas followed that up with five goals and 10 assists with the Indy Fuel. In his final 24 games, with the Tulsa Oilers, he scored three goals and added six assists.