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BCHL Today: Dias commits to the Huskies, Smokies and Bulldogs add new recruits, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

Cents netminder Dias commits to the University of Saskatchewan

Merritt Centennials number-one goaltender Josh Dias is off to the University of Saskatchewan to play USPORTS hockey for the Huskies this September.

The 2000-born netminder is coming off a season where he posted a 2-13-0 record with a 4.07 goals-against-average and an .892 save percentage in 16 games with the Cents in the Chilliwack pod.

Smoke Eaters bring in Nebraska-Omaha commit Michaelis

COMMITMENT – SMOKE EATERS ADD UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-OMAHA COMMIT FOR 2021

The Trail Smoke Eaters added a new player for the second time in two days on Wednesday with the announcement of Zach Michaelis‘ commitment for 2021-22.

The 2002-born centre from Elk River, MN had five goals and 13 points in 29 games with the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League in 2020-21.

He started the season with the US Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks and posted a goal in 14 games before being released in January.

Bulldogs sign Melady from the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have recruited 2003-born forward Cole Melady for the 2021-22 season.

Melady, who’s from Seaforth, ON, had 11 goals and 31 points in 47 games with the Stratford Warriors of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2019-20.

He didn’t play any games in 2020-21 due to restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vees unveil hockey ops staff and add former NHLer Barker to the mix

NEWS: Vees Announce 2021/22 Coaching Staff

The Penticton Vees announced on Wednesday how the club’s hockey operations staff shakes down for the 2021-22 season.

Fred Harbinson is back for his 15th season with the Vees and will once again serve as president, general manager, and head coach.

Joining Harbinson behind the bench is assistant GM and assistant coach Steve Cawley as well as assistant coaches Patrick Sexton and Cam Barker, who is a former first round draft pick who played 310 career NHL games.

Supplementing the bench staff are video coach Matt Miller, goalie coach Jesse Plewis, skill development and strength and conditioning coach Matt Fraser, and advisor Ed Lebler.

Centennials hire Rowe as their new trainer

The Merritt Centennials have hired Dave Rowe as their head trainer for the 2021-22 season. Rowe, who’s from Brampton, ON, was the Prince George Spruce Kings trainer during the 2019-20 season and prior to that was with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Grande Prairie Storm.

Mullin inks extension with Cleveland of the American Hockey League

Forward Tristan Mullin (63 goals, 63 assists in 114 games with Powell River from 2015-17) has signed a contract for the 2021-22 season with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Mullin, a 24-year-old from Cartwright, Manitoba, had three goals and one assist in 15 games with the Monsters after inking an amateur tryout in March.

He also notched four goals and five points in 11 games with the University of Vermont this past season.

Gropp jumps from Sweden to Norway for 2021-22

Forward Ryan Gropp (16 goals, 24 assists in 62 games with Penticton from 2011-13) has signed with Stjernen of Eliteserien, which is the top tier of pro hockey in Norway, for the 2021-22 season.

This past season, the 24-year-old Kamloopsian had seven goals and nine points in 17 games with Västerviks IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, which is the second tier of pro hockey in Sweden.

Gagnon signs with HK Martin in Slovakia

Defenseman Marc-Antoine Gagnon (one assist in two games with Alberni Valley in 2015-16) has signed with HK Martin of Slovenská hokejová liga, which is the second tier of pro hockey in Slovakia.

The 23-year-old from St-Paul, QC had a goal and seven points in 10 games with the Montpellier Vipers of FFHG, Division 1 this past season, his first in Europe after two years of playing U SPORTS hockey at Laurentian University.