Bonkowski commits to the University of Nebraska-Omaha
Surrey Eagles forward Jacob Bonkowski is the latest BCHL player to earn himself a college commitment to an NCAA school. The 2003-born native of Richmond, BC will head to the University of Nebraska-Omaha either next September or in September 2023.
Bonkowski has three goals and five points in six games for the Eagles thus far this season. In parts of the last three seasons, he posted six goals and 21 points in 28 games for Surrey and Powell River.
Caps trade Siedem to Blackfalds
The Cowichan Valley Capitals have traded 2002-born forward Jason Siedem and future considerations to the Blackfalds Bulldogs for 2002-born defenseman Jordan Edwards.
On Oct. 14, the BCHL posted on its transactions page that the Caps acquired Edwards from Blackfalds for future considerations. One can surmise that Siedem is the futures to complete the deal.
In three games as a rookie with Cowichan Valley this season, the product of Madison, NJ had a pair of assists. Edwards, meanwhile, has an assist in three games with the Caps since joining them two weeks ago.
Coquitlam vs. Powell River first career BCHL goals
Powell River 2003-born defenseman Casey Aman scored the seventh goal in a 9-3 win for the Kings, but it was still special as it was his first in the BC Hockey League.
The goal came at the 8:09 mark of the third period. It was Aman’s second point of the night after adding an assist earlier. The Johnstown, PA product now has three points in seven games this season.
It only took 8:23 into his first BCHL game for Coquitlam Express forward Shane LaVelle to score his first goal in the league. He was picked up via trade from Spruce Grove of the Alberta Junior Hockey League team last week.
The milestone tally came with 11:37 left in the first period on Wednesday and gave the Express a 2-0 lead en route to the 9-3 loss.
Penticton vs. Prince George first career BCHL goals
Prince George Spruce Kings 2001-born defenseman Josh Wright scored his first BCHL goal in Wednesday’s 7-1 drubbing of the Penticton Vees.
Wright’s goal came at 12:23 of the third period and rounded out the scoring for the Spruce Kings. The Woodstock, ON native was playing in his ninth BCHL game after getting into five contests with PG in 2020-21.
Bonar released by the Mariners of Maine
Goaltender Sean Bonar (38-15-0, 2.60 goals-against average, .908 save percentage, six shutouts in 59 games with Penticton from 2008-10) has been released by the Maine Mariners of the ECHL.
The 30-year-old product of Delta, BC was part of Kansas City, South Carolina, Indy, and Jacksonville in the ECHL before finishing the 2020-21 season in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League with the Manchester Storm. He was 5-7-0, with a 3.91 goals-against average, a .876 save percentage through 13 games in Manchester.
Iowa Heartlanders cut Pieper loose
Forward Canon Pieper (33 goals, 33 assists in 57 games with Coquitlam in 2013-14) was released from his tryout with the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old from Roseville, MN didn’t play in 2020-21. He split the 2019-20 season between Birmingham and Fayetteville of the Southern Professional Hockey League and had 16 points in 47 games.
Three Stars of the Night ⭐⭐⭐
First Star: Prince George forward Nick Rheaume posted a hat trick as the Spruce Kings waxed Penticton 7-1.
Second Star: Powell River forward Karter McNarland had two goals and an assist as the Kings smoked Coquitlam 9-3.
Third Star: Spruce Kings forward John Herrington ended the night with a goal and two assists against the Vees.
Honourable Mentions: Kings forward Parker Lalonde notched two goals and an assist. Spruce Kings forward Austin Fraser put up a pair of goals.
