BCHL

BCHL Today: Gammer chooses school over Spruce Kings, Stevenson named Player of the Month, BCHL contingent on Canada West and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Newly acquired Gammer leaves junior hockey

The Prince George Spruce Kings won’t end up with Brett Gammer in their line-up. The defending Fred Page Cup champions made a deal for the 19-year-old forward from the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL on Nov. 30, but he has decided to start school and play hockey at Liberty University in Virginia starting next month.

PG will still receive compensation from the North Stars in exchange for Jaxon Steele, but according to Spruce Kings GM Mike Hawes, those details are to be confirmed later. Gammer had nine goals and 15 assists in 28 games with Battlefords this season.

Stevenson continues MVP-type season

Coquitlam Express goaltender Clay Stevenson is the BCHL FortisBC Player of the Month for November. Stevenson, who is 19-2 on the season, went 8-0 during the month with a 1.55 goals-against-average, a sparkling .948 save percentage and two shutouts.

The third year netminder is riding an 11 game winning streak. He’s set to attend Dartmouth College next fall.

Souliere not ready to return

The Victoria Grizzlies extended the injured reserve status for goaltender Liam Souliere. The Penn State commit is now eligible to return on Dec. 25.

The Grizzlies break for the holidays after their game at home against Nanaimo on Dec. 21, so the earliest Souliere might make his BCHL debut for Victoria is on Jan. 3 in Wenatchee.

Souliere hasn’t played any games with the Grizz this season due to a lower body injury after being acquired from the Brockville Braves of the CCHL last summer.

Canada West loaded with BCHL players

Hockey Canada announced the roster for Canada West at the upcoming World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek and there is a massive BCHL contingent. Overall, half of Canada West’s 22 player roster is made up of BCHL players, including leading scorer Kent Johnson of the Trail Smoke Eaters.

The Smokies have the most players on Canada West with four, Nanaimo is next with two. Carolina Hurricanes draft pick Massimo Rizzo of the Coquitlam Express is the lone returnee from last year’s bronze medal squad who plays in the BCHL this season.