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BCHL Today: Express goaltender Stevenson sets franchise shutout mark, Silverbacks defenceman Hirose hits milestone, Vees get commitment from forward Hutson, and more

Brian Wiebe

Express goaltender Stevenson sets franchise shutout record

Coquitlam Express netminder Clay Stevenson broke the franchise record for career shutouts with his 5-0 whitewash of Langley on Friday night. The 20-year-old has four shutouts this season and posted two in 2018-19. Stevenson, who’s committed to Dartmouth University for this September, is 29-2-0 this season with a sparkling 1.70 GAA and a .937 save percentage.

Silverbacks defenceman Hirose plays 200th BCHL game

Salmon Arm’s Akito Hirose is the first defenceman to play 200 games for the Silverbacks after reaching the milestone on Friday against Merritt. Hirose joined the Backs as a 17-year-old in 2016-17. He has 20 goals and 99 assists during his BCHL career.

Vees sign forward Hutson for 2020-21 season

The Penticton Vees received a commitment from Boston University commit Quinn Hutson for the 2020-21 season. The 18-year-old has 29 goals and 20 assists in 21 games with the North Jersey Avalanche U18 team of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. Hutson’s father Rob is a former scout for the Arizona Coyotes who played for Bellingham in the BCHL from 1990-92.

Bucks launch inaugural season ticket drive

Fans in Cranbrook are able to buy season tickets for the Bucks inaugural season as of today. The Bucks start play in Western Financial Place this September.

Former Kings goaltender Phillips leaves England for ECHL

Goaltender Jamie Phillips (16-6-1, 2.01 GAA, .921 SV%, 5 shutouts in 26 games with Powell River in 2011-12) has signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Phillips had a 12-12 record with a 3.94 GAA and an .884 SV% in 24 games with the Coventry Blaze of EIHL, which is a league in the UK.

Former Smoke Eaters forward Wilkins signs extension in Italy

https://www.facebook.com/HockeyClubGardena/photos/a.179978982046909/2936235573087889/?type=3&theater

Forward Matt Wilkins (seven goals, 18 assists in 37 games with Trail in 2009-10) has signed a contract extension with Gherdëina of the Alps Hockey League for 2020-21. Wilkins has 23 goals and 41 assists in 33 games with Gherdëina this season.

Three Stars of the Night

First Star: Coquitlam forward Massimo Rizzo scored a hat trick.

Second Star: Surrey goaltender Reece Klassen kicked out 41 shots.

Third Star: Powell River goaltender Derek Krall made 37 saves for the shutout.

Honourable Mentions: Nanaimo forward Joshua Bourne and Salmon Arm forward Luke Mylymok each had a goal and two assists. Express forward Greg Lapointe notched three assists. Merritt netminder Ryan Winter stopped 47 shots.

If the playoffs started today…

Mainland Division

(1) Coquitlam vs. (4) Langley
(2) Chilliwack vs. (3) Surrey

Island Division

(1) Cowichan Valley vs. (4) Alberni Valley
(2) Nanaimo vs. (3) Powell River

Interior Division

(1) Penticton vs. (6) West Kelowna
(2) Trail vs. (WC2) Prince George
(3) Vernon vs. (WC1) Victoria
(4) Salmon Arm vs. (5) Wenatchee

Brian Wiebe

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.