BCHL Today: Grizz reacquire defenseman Clark, Capitals swing a pair of out-of-province deals, Eagles recruit Gabrielson, and more

 

Grizzlies bring Clark back into the fold

The Victoria Grizzlies have acquired 2002-born defenseman Braydon Clark from the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

Interestingly enough, the Grizzlies traded Clark to Winkler last June 21 for 2001-born defenseman Campbell Ens and future considerations. That deal came the day after Victoria acquired Clark from the Merritt Centennials for futures.

Clark, who’s from Langley, spent most of 2019-20 with the Cents, scoring a goal and two assists. He also appeared in 11 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, who traded his rights to Spokane last April.

Ens isn’t with the Grizzlies this season as he’s played six games with the Chilliwack Jets of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

Caps bring in Philps from Saskatchewan

The Cowichan Valley Capitals have picked up 2002-born defenseman Owen Philps from the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

Philps signed with the Hounds in early November after being released by Trail. He played four games in Notre Dame and didn’t register any points.

The West Vancouver, BC product ended up playing two games for the Smoke Eaters during the BCHL’s extended training camp period.

Eagles recruit Gabrielson for the 2021-22 season

On Wednesday, the Surrey Eagles announced the commitment of 2003-born defenseman Oliver Gabrielson for the 2021-22 season.

The Vancouver native had a goal and two assists in four games with St. George’s School U18 Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League this season.

Gabrielson, who was a ninth round bantam draft pick of the Kamloops Blazers in 2018, had 19 points in 36 games with St. George’s in 2019-20.

Kostelecky leaves Alberni Valley for Minot of the NAHL

After playing 14 games for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs during the BCHL’s training season, 2001-born forward Tyler Kostelecky has joined the Minot Minotauros of the North American Hockey League.

Kostelecky, who hails from Maple Grove, Minnesota, had three goals and five assists with the Bulldogs this past fall after putting up four goals and three assists in 15 games as a rookie in 2019-20.

He scored in his debut with the Minotauros on Wednesday night and is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Arizona State University this coming September.

Caps add veteran Leibl from Manitoba

The Cowichan Valley Captials have acquired 2000-born forward Tyler Leibl from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

Leibl, from San Diego, California, had five goals and 15 assists in 58 games with the Wolverines during the 2019-20 season after starting the year playing two games with Aberdeen of the North American Hockey League.

He also played 10 games with Weyburn in the SJHL in 2018-19 and posted four points.

Richey commits to NCAA Div. III hockey for next season

2000-born forward Mason Richey (five goals, nine assists in 61 games with West Kelowna from 2017-19) has committed to Marian University for this coming September.

Richey, who’s from Terrace, BC, has a goal in three games with the Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL this season.

Ginn signs ECHL contract with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Goaltender Matt Ginn (29-21-0, 2.82 GAA, .916 SV%, 2 SO in 51 games with Victoria in 2010-11) has signed a contract for the 2020-21 season with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits.

Ginn, a 29-year-old from Lindsay, Ontario, spent the last two seasons with the Manchester Storm of the Elite Ice Hockey League in Great Britain, compiling a 45-61-0 record, a 3.08 GAA, a .917 SV% and four shutouts.

Fritz jumps from the SPHL to the ECHL

Defenseman Daniel Fritz (eight goals, 30 assists in 55 games with Coquitlam in 2014-15) has signed a contract for the 2020-21 season with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.

Fritz, who hails from Harwood, Maryland, had two assists in eight games with Pensacola of the Southern Professional Hockey League to start the season.

The 25-year-old wrapped three seasons of NCAA Division III hockey at Utica College last spring, where he was named to the All-USCHO first team as well as the United Collegiate Hockey Conference defensive player of the year.

Rumpel gets the call to the American Hockey League

Goaltender Joel Rumpel (46-15-0, 2.33 GAA, .914 SV%, 3 SO in 69 games with Penticton from 2009-11) has been loaned by the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League.

Rumpel is 1-0 with a 3.68 GAA and a .867 SV% with the Mavs this season. The 29-year-old from Swift Current, Saskatchewan also appeared in one game with the Cabri Bulldogs of the White Mud Hockey League, a senior men’s league in Saskatchewan.