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BCHL Today: Rheaume commits to UMass-Lowell, Henderson takes over the Rivermen, and more!

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Rheaume commits to UMass-Lowell for 2022-23

Prince George Spruce Kings forward Nick Rheaume has committed to UMass-Lowell for the 2022-23 NCAA season.

The 2002-born product of Sherbrooke, Quebec had six goals and 14 points in 20 games with the Spruce Kings this past season, including four multi-point games.

Henderson named Rivermen general manager and head coach

The Langley Rivermen announced the hiring of Burt Henderson (11 goals, 36 assists in 75 games with Bellingham and Kelowna from 1991-93) as general manager and head coach on Tuesday. The 46-year-old takes over from his cousin Bobby Henderson, who parted ways with the Riv in March.

Henderson has spent the last three seasons as president and head coach of the junior B Langley Trappers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League.

He served as a skills coach for the Rivermen in 2017-18 and was also an assistant coach with West Van Academy U15 Prep in 2019-20.

BCHL extends deal with InStat Hockey

The BC Hockey League announced an extension of its partnership with InStat Hockey for the 2021-22 season on Tuesday. According to a news release, InStat will provide all 18 BCHL teams with advanced stats and video for the season.

Also as part of the agreement, BCHL clubs will have access to InStat’s scouting platform which includes a database of players from around the world.

Kanter sticks with Salmon Arm for two more years

Salmon Arm Silverbacks broadcaster and communications coordinator Nathan Kanter has signed a two-year contract extension with the club through the 2022-23 season.

Kanter’s been behind the mic for the Silverbacks for the last two seasons after joining them from the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The Toronto product has a Master of Arts in Journalism from Western University in London, Ontario.

Hawthorne transfers to Canisius College

Goaltender John Hawthorne (32-49-0, 3.28 goals-against-average, .910 save percentage, 3 shutouts in 91 games with Alberni Valley from 2017-19) has transferred from Northern Michigan University to Canisius College for this September.

Hawthorne, 22, had a 5-6-3 record with a 3.31 goals-against-average, a .880 save percentage, and one shutout in 21 games with NMU over the last two NCAA seasons.

Tremblay named general manager and head coach for junior B expansion club

The Lake Cowichan Kraken, an expansion team in the junior B Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, named Ray Tremblay (no points in two games with Trail in 2005-06) as its inaugural general manager and head coach.

The 35-year-old from West Kelowna was the head coach of the Danville Dashers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, which is a minor pro league in the US, during the 2019-20 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.