BCHL Today: Express continue to bolster hockey ops, BCHL alumni off to the second round of Stanley Cup playoffs, and more!

 

Express adds Bains as director of strength, conditioning, and sport science

The Coquitlam Express announced the hiring of Jameel Bains in the role of director of strength, conditioning, and sports science for the 2021-22 BC Hockey League season.

According to a tweet from the Express announcing Bains hiring, he will “oversee the physical preparation and performance of our athletes through training, testing, data collection and analysis. He will also collaborate with the medical and coaching staff to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.”

Benn, Brossoit, and the Jets sweep Edmonton

The Winnipeg Jets won a marathon triple-overtime game 4-3 on Monday to sweep the Edmonton Oilers and move on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

BCHL alumni on the Jets include defenseman Jordie Benn (24 goals, 90 assists in 172 games with Victoria from 2005-08) and goaltender Laurent Brossoit (10-8-0 with a 3.78 GAA, a .898 SV% and two shutouts with Cowichan Valley in 2009-10).

Neither player got into a game during Winnipeg’s sweep of the Oilers.

Jost, Toews, Newhook, and Miska advance to the second round

The Colorado Avalanche advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday with a 5-2 win in game four of its series against the St. Louis Blues. The Avs have four former BCHL players on their roster, three of which made an impact on the scoresheet.

Forward Tyson Jost (65 goals, 84 assists in 97 games with Penticton from 2014-16) had a goal and an assist in the series.

Rookie Alex Newhook (60 goals, 108 assists in 98 games with Victoria from 2017-19) notched a single goal in four games.

Defenseman Devon Toews (17 goals, 59 assists in 102 games with Surrey from 2011-13) finished the sweep with a pair of assists.

Goaltender Hunter Miska (53-21-5 with a 2.03 GAA, a .924 SV%, and seven shutouts in 80 games with Penticton from 2013-15) didn’t see any action against St. Louis.

Reilly and the Bruins eliminate Washington

The Boston Bruins are also onto the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a game five victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

The Bruins won the game 3-1. Defenseman Mike Reilly is the lone BCHL alumnus on Boston’s roster and he finished the series with a pair of assists.

Hanna signs with HC Pustertal for 2021-22

27-year-old defenseman Shane Hanna (15 goals, 59 assists in 108 games with Penticton and Salmon Arm from 2011-13) has signed with HC Pustertal for the 2021-22 season. HC Pustertal plays in the ICE Hockey League, which is the premier league in Austria.

Hanna, who’s from New Westminster, had 15 goals and 44 points in 47 games with Rungsted Seier Capital of Denmark’s Metal Ligaen during the 2020-21 season.

Urbani inks a deal with Osby IK

Goaltender Daniel Urbani (2-9-0, 4.40 GAA, .874 SV%, 1 SO in 2012-13 with Coquitlam) has signed with Osby IK of HockeyTvåan, which is the fourth tier of hockey in Sweden, for the 2021-22 season.

Urbani, 25, signed with the ECHL’s Witchita Thunder last December but didn’t play any games before being released nine days later.

Mitchell released by Florida of the ECHL

Forward Mason Mitchell (23 goals, 16 assists in 82 games with Nanaimo from 2012-14) was released by the Florida Everblades of the ECHL on Monday.

The 26-year-old from Edmonton had four assists in 25 games with the Everblades this past season, his fourth year of pro hockey.

Schutz signs a contract with Hammer Eisbären

Forward Chris Schutz (59 goals, 43 assists in 106 games with Alberni Valley from 2014-16) has signed with Lippe-Hockey-Hamm for the 2021-22 Oberliga season.

The 25-year-old product of Fort Worth, Texas played four games with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers this past season before being released at the end of December.

Oberliga is the third tier of professional hockey in Germany.