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BCHL Today: Grizzlies trade Turrin up Island, Spruce Kings add QMJHL veteran Schives, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Clippers pick up Turrin from Victoria

The Nanaimo Clippers have acquired 2002-born forward Matteo Turrin from the Victoria Grizzlies for future considerations.

Turrin, who hails from Montreal, QC, had two goals and two assists in 14 games as a rookie with the Grizzlies during the 2020-21 BC Hockey League season. He scored twice in nine games with Victoria in the BCHL’s exhibition season last fall.

Spruce Kings bring in QMJHL veteran Schives

The Prince George Spruce Kings have signed 2001-born defenseman Dylan Schives for the 2021-22 BC Hockey League season.

Schives, from Tilbury, ON, spent the last three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior League with Baie-Comeau and Quebec. He posted five goals and 18 points in 128 games.

Kovich commits to Albertus Magnus College

Coquitlam Express defenseman Colten Kovich has committed to playing NCAA Division III hockey at Albertus Magnus College this September.

The 2000-born blueliner played three games with the Express during the 2020-21 season but didn’t register any points. The Coquitlam, BC product also put up five goals and 20 points in 159 games with the Langley Rivermen from 2017-20.

Witkowski transfers from BU to Canisius College

Forward Jake Witkowski (23 goals, 17 assists in 58 games with Alberni Valley in 2016-17) has transferred from Boston University to Canisius College for this fall.

The 24-year-old from Melrose, MA had four assists in 39 games with BU over the last four seasons.

Christensen inks an extension with the Thunderbirds

Coral Springs, FL native Blake Christensen (16 goals, 20 assists in 52 games with Wenatchee in 2015-16) signed a contract for the 2021-22 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League.

Christensen, 25, had two goals in 10 games with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors in 2020-21. He added nine points in 10 games while on loan to Manglerud in Norway’s Fjordkraft-ligaen as well.

Wang signs with junior B Knights

The Surrey Knights of the Pacific Junior Hockey League announced the signing of 2003-born forward David Wang (four goals, two assists in 29 games with Cowichan Valley) for the 2021-22 season.

Wang, who hails from Vancouver, BC, didn’t play anywhere of note during the 2020-21 season.

Redmond returns to Kansas City for 2021-22

Twenty-five year old goaltender Angus Redmond (59-61-0, 2.94 GAA, .906 SV%, 8 SO in 132 games with Salmon Arm from 2013-16) has signed a contract with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks for 2021-22.

Redmond, who hails from Langley, BC, was 2-0 with a 2.00 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage since joining Kansas City in February. He added an 0-0-1 record, a 3.17 goals-against-average, and an .824 save percentage in three games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Bayless commits to Bethel University

Forward Jack Bayless (five goals, 12 assists in 51 games with Wenatchee in 2019-20) has committed to Bethel University for this September. Bethel plays NCAA Division III hockey.

Bayless, a 21-year-old from Minnetonka, MN, notched 10 goals and 25 points in 52 games with the New Mexico Ice Wolves of the North American Hockey League in 2020-21.

Whistle signs with Leeds for 2021-22

After not playing in 2020-21, forward Brandon Whistle (eight goals, nine assists in 35 games with Penticton, Vernon, and Salmon Arm from 2015-18) has signed with Leeds of the National Ice Hockey League.

The 23-year-old Kelownaite had 22 goals and 59 points in 37 games with the Telford Tigers of the NIHL in 2019-20. The NIHL is the second tier of professional hockey in Great Britain.

Vela goes swimming with the Walleye

Forward Marcus Vela (31 goals, 37 assists in 104 games with Langley from 2013-15) has signed a contract with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL for the 2020-21 season.

The Burnaby, BC native signed with Toledo last October but the Walleye suspended operations for the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vela had nine points in 29 ECHL games with the Florida Everblades in 2020-21.

Reid makes a deal with the Devlis

Forward Brodie Reid (73 goals, 63 assists in 157 games with Surrey, Burnaby, and Penticton from 2006-09) has signed an Elite Ice Hockey League contract with the Cardiff Devils for 2021-22.

The Delta, BC product had 25 goals and 60 points in 60 games with the Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL in 2020-21.

Berra, Duncan, and Joyce part of the coaching staff for the U18 Cariboo Cougars

The Cariboo Cougars unveiled the staff for their U18 AAA team for the 2021-22 season on Wednesday and there is a notable BCHL flavour.

Returning to the Cougars as assistant coaches are RJay Berra (58 goals, 49 assists in 154 games with Prince George from 2008-11) and Jordan Duncan (no points in three games with Prince George in 2009-10), while Kris Joyce (7.83 goals-against-average, .750 save percentage in one game with Salmon Arm in 2012-13) joins Cariboo as its goalie coach.