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BCHL Today: Grizzlies trade Easter to Pickering, BCHL partners with Eligibility Wizard, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Grizzlies trade Easter to Pickering

The Victoria Grizzlies have traded 2001-born goaltender Justin Easter to the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

Easter, who’s from Burlington, ON, had a 4-0-0 record with a 4.19 goals-against-average, and an .875 save percentage in seven games with the Grizzlies this season.

More on this story is available here.

BCHL strikes a partnership with Eligibility Wizard

The BC Hockey League announced a partnership with Eligibility Wizard on Wednesday. According to its website, Eligibility Wizard is “a simple solution providing the ability to track, guide, and manage your NCAA eligibility in real-time.”

“The BCHL prides itself on developing athletes on and off the ice while providing them with the resources required to further their athletic careers and reach their educational goals,” said BCHL deputy commissioner Steven Cocker in a news release. “We are extremely excited to partner with Eligibility Wizard to ensure our athletes are NCAA compliant and set them up for success at the next level.”

The service allows aspiring college athletes to enter their high school transcripts and Eligibility Wizard offers tracking and guidance as it relates to NCAA eligibility.

Bakken named general manager and head coach of Langley Trappers

Brad Bakken (six goals, 34 assists in 161 games with Langley from 2007-10) is the new general manager and head coach of the Langley Trappers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

The 32-year-old from Langley, BC takes over from Burt Henderson (11 goals, 36 assists in 75 games with Kelowna and Bellingham from 1991-92), who was hired as GM and head coach of the Langley Rivermen last month.

Bakken was an associate head coach and assistant GM for the Rivermen during the 2019-20 season.

Barzal, Zajac, and Ladd advance to the NHL’s final four

The New York Islanders advanced to the semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Wednesday with a 6-2 win in game six of their series against the Boston Bruins.

The Isles have three former BCHL players on their roster, two of which made an impact on the scoresheet. Forward Mathew Barzal (two assists in six games with Coquitlam in 2012-13) had three goals and six points in the series.

Veteran Travis Zajac (59 goals, 105 assists in 118 games with Salmon Arm from 2002-04) notched one goal against the Bruins. Forward Andrew Ladd (15 goals, 40 assists in 58 games with Coquitlam in 2002-03) didn’t see any action during the series.

Clippers hiring for marketing and ticket sales

The Nanaimo Clippers are on the hunt for someone to run marketing and ticket sales for the club for the 2021-22 season.

Details about the job and how to apply are available on the Clippers website here.

Rivermen bring in Bakken as administrative officer

The Langley Rivermen announced the addition of Trish Bakken as the club’s administrative officer.

According to a post on the Rivermen website, one of the first tasks for Bakken is to connect with the team’s past volunteers.

Jandric transfers from Alaska to UND

Defenseman Chris Jandric (six goals, 45 assists in 106 games with Vernon from 2016-18) has transferred from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks to the University of North Dakota for the 2021-22 season.

Jandric, 22, has eight goals and 37 points in 63 NCAA games for the Nanooks over two seasons. He didn’t get into any games this year because UAF athletics cancelled the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chiefs launch an alumni podcast

The Chilliwack Chiefs launched an alumni podcast on Wednesday, with former Chilliwack mayor Clint Hames as the host.

The guests for episode one are Chiefs governor and vice-president of business operations Barry Douglas along with the team’s general manager and head coach Brian Maloney (44 goals, 87 assists in 87 games with Chilliwack from 1997-99) and Adam Powell (92 goals, 76 assists in 172 games with Chilliwack from 2001-04).

Rivermen part ways with Bordignon

Langley Rivermen play-by-play announcer Mike Bordignon announced on Twitter the team informed him he wouldn’t be back for the 2021-22 BC Hockey League season.

Bordignon has served in the role since the 2016-17 season when he took over from Jake Elliott.

LaLeggia jumps from Rögle to Timrå

Defenseman Joey LaLeggia (33 goals, 114 assists in 114 games with Penticton from 2009-11) has signed with Timrå IK of the Swedish Hockey League for the 2021-22 season.

LaLeggia, 28, posted two goals and five points in 12 games for the SHL’s Rögle BK during 2020-21. It was the Burnaby, BC product’s first season playing in Europe after spending five years in the American Hockey League.

Marks leaves Neuilly-sur-Marne for 2021-22

Defenseman Cameron Marks (six goals, 29 assists in 99 games with Penticton and Coquitlam from 2012-14) won’t sign with Neuilly-sur-Marne of FFHG, Division 1 in France for the 2021-22 season.

The 26-year-old from North Vancouver, BC had four goals and 19 points in 34 games for Neuilly-sur-Marne over the last two seasons.