BCHL Bulletin, Coastal Conference, COVID-19, ECHL

BCHL Today: Express send players home for the holidays, Rivermen hit pause on all activities, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Express pen open letter to its fans

The Coquitlam Express published an open letter to its fans on Monday after the BC Hockey League announced the delay of the start of the season to January.

In the letter, the Express notes it has sent players home for the holiday season while players living in the Lower Mainland and American players will continue to practice under viaSport’s Phase 2 protocols.

The Express also revealed a community project that sees the team offer support to families who are struggling financially heading into the holiday season. If you know a family who could use the help, reach out to Express vice-president and general manager Tali Campbell at tali@coquitlamexpress.ca.

Rivermen hit the pause button

The Langley Rivermen posted a letter from head coach and general manager Bobby Henderson on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

In it, the Rivermen announced the decision to pause all activities immediately. The letter states the restrictions around 19 and 20-year-old players participating had a role in the decision.

“Being that we are a team, we also choose to stand in solidarity with our 19 and 20-year-old players who, under the current orders, are unable to participate as members of our club.”

The letter continues, “These players have committed themselves to the British Columbia Hockey League and we will continue to do everything within our organizations (sic) ability to develop and promote our student athletes.”

Puskarich returns from the UK

Forward Mario Puskarich (72 goals, 76 assists in 115 games with Langley from 2011-13) has signed with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL for the 2020-21 season.

The 28-year-old from Cape Coral, Florida had 30 points in 46 games with the Manchester Storm of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the UK during 2019-20.

Brian's been involved in the BCHL in a variety of capacities for 17 years. From 2002 to 2012, he served in several roles around the Merritt Centennials organization, including as team president, board member, beat writer, colour commentator, webmaster, media and communications coordinator and marketing assistant. He's been writing about the BCHL since 2008 and served as colour commentator on the TSN 1040 broadcasts in 2012-13. BCHLNetwork is one of Brian's many passion projects that he balances around his full-time job as an instructor in the Radio Arts and Entertainment Program at BCIT in Burnaby.