BCHL Today: Bulldogs recruit QMJHL veteran Grouchy, Canada West earns thrilling shootout win at WJAC and more

Bulldogs sign veteran QMJHL forward Grouchy

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs added a significant piece to their roster on Wednesday with the signing of 20-year-old forward Matthew Grouchy. Grouchy is a veteran of 207 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, having played there since 2016-17.

The Labrador City, NL product had 46 goals and 75 assists during his career in the ‘Q’, including a 47 point season in 2018-19 with the Gatineau Olympiques. He upped his game in the playoffs and tallied 5 goals and 14 assists in 26 post-season games with Charlottetown and Quebec.

Canada West gets first WJAC win

Coquitlam Express forward and Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Massimo Rizzo scored the winning goal in the shootout as Canada West earned its first win at this year’s World Junior A Challenge 1-0 over Russia.

Canada West is still last in the standings at the five team tournament with two points through three games. Its next game is tonight at 6 pm PST against the Czech Republic.

Grizzlies bring back forward Arthurs from junior B

16-year-old Desmond Arthurs, who made his BCHL debut last month for the Grizzlies, was brought up to Victoria again for Wednesday’s game against Nanaimo. Arthurs has 5 goals and 12 assists in 22 junior B games with the VIJHL’s Victoria Cougars this season.

Former Express defenceman Wiercioch takes game to Italy

Defenceman Patrick Wiercioch (9 goals, 16 assists in 42 games for Coquitlam in 2006-07) signed with HC Bolzano of the Austrian Hockey League for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Wiercioch had 8 goals and 17 assists in 59 games with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL last season.

Three Stars of the Night

First Star: Victoria’s Blake Wood made 36 saves in a 3-1 win over Nanaimo.

Second Star: Trail netminder Mateo Paler-Chow kicked out 34 Wenatchee shots in a 3-1 victory vs. the Wild.

Third Star: Smoke Eaters forward Tyler Ghirardosi had two of Trail’s three goals.

Honourable Mentions: Grizzlies forward Cody Monds finished the night with two assists. Trail forward Max Kryski wound up with two assists.

BCHL Trade Tracker (since Dec. 1)
Trades Made: 4
Trades Made Within BCHL: 3
Trades Made With Teams Outside BC: 1
Players: 6
Future Considerations: 3

Forwards: 4
Defencemen: 2
Goaltenders: 0

1999-born: 0
2000-born: 5
2001-born: 1
2002-born: 0
2003-born: 0