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BCHL Today: Express add Wagner as associate coach, Chu commits to SFU, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Express add Wagner as associate coach and director of scouting

The Coquitlam Express announced the hiring of Jeff Wagner as associate coach and director of scouting on Saturday.

Wagner spent the last three seasons as the general manager and head coach of the Fernie Ghostriders of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

He was named the Eddie Mountain Division coach of the year in the KIJHL for the 2018-19 season.

Chu commits to Simon Fraser University

Defenseman Jason Chu (two goals, one assist in 43 games with Surrey and Prince George from 2018-19) has committed to Simon Fraser University of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League for this September.

The 20-year-old blueliner from Coquitlam had a goal and six points in 14 games for the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League this past season.

Oilers send Turris to their taxi squad

Forward Kyle Turris (102 goals, 91 assists in 110 games with Burnaby from 2005-07) was assigned by the Edmonton Oilers to their taxi squad on Saturday.

Turris, 31, has two goals and five points in 27 games with the Oilers this season. The New Westminster, BC product signed a two-year free-agent deal with Edmonton last October.

Penguins activate Tanev from long-term injured reserve

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Brandon Tanev (11 goals, 22 assists in 58 games with Surrey in 2011-12) was removed from long-term injured reserve on Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Toronto was suffering an upper-body injury and out of the Pens lineup on a week-to-week basis. Tanev had seven goals and 16 points in 32 games with Pittsburgh this season.

McGowan signs extension with Gherdëina

Forward Brad McGowan (48 goals, 87 assists in 117 games with Surrey from 2009-11) signed a contract extension for 2021-22 with Gherdëina of the Alps Hockey League, which is based in Central Europe.

McGowan, a 31-year-old from Vancouver, had 25 goals and 68 points in 36 games with Gherdëina this season.

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.