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BCHL Today: Cents and Smokies appoint team leaders, Eagles and Wild sign new defensemen, and more

Written by Brian Wiebe on

 

Cents name leadership group

The Merritt Centennials announced their leadership core for the 2020-21 season on Friday. Wearing the ‘C’ for the Centennials is 2000-born forward Zack Dallazanna, who Merritt picked up earlier this off-season in a trade from Nanaimo. He is entering his third BCHL season.

The alternate captains for home games at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena are veteran Centennials – 2001-born forward Ben Ward and 2002-born defenseman Talon Zakall. Ward and Zakall are both entering their third seasons with Merritt.

Road games will feature second year Centennial and 52-Western Hockey League 2001-born veteran Jerzy Orchard and recently acquired 2000-born defenseman Liam Visram as alternate captains.

Smoke Eaters name 2020-21 captain

The Trail Smoke Eaters unveiled their 2020-21 captain on Friday and wearing the ‘C’ is 2000-born defenseman Cody Schiavon, who is going into his fourth BCHL season and first full season in Trail.

The Yale University commit has 15 goals and 47 assists in 148 career BCHL games with Surrey and the Smoke Eaters.

He takes over the captaincy in Trail from Owen Ozar, who is trying out with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. Ozar was previously announced as Smokies captain in May.

Eagles add Tuba to their blueline

The Surrey Eagles announced the signing of 2002-born defenseman Hayden Tuba for the 2020-21 season. Tuba played with the Greater Vancouver Canadians U18 AAA in 2019-20, putting up eight points in 27 games.

He also got into three games with the Coquitlam Express as an affiliate player as well as one game with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Junior Hockey League. Tuba made his BCHL debut as an AP with the Express in 2018-19 and posted one assist in two games.

Wild ink defenseman Zammetti

The Wenatchee Wild signed another defenseman on Friday with addition of 2002-born Robert Zammetti from the U18 AAA Anaheim Jr. Ducks.

Zammetti played 68 games for the Jr. Ducks this past season and posted two goals and 17 assists along with 68 penalty minutes. He also played two games with Pacific Ridge School but didn’t score any points.

Oilers sign Turris to two-year deal as a free agent

Forward Kyle Turris (102 goals, 91 assists in 110 games with Burnaby from 2005-07), who was bought out by the Nashville Predators on Thursday, signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers as an unrestricted free agent.

The 31-year-old from New Westminster, BC is a veteran of 726 career NHL games with the Predators, Ottawa Senators, and Arizona Coyotes, compiling 165 goals and 250 assists.

Schultz jumps from Penguins to Capitals

The Washington Capitals brought in defenseman Justin Schultz (25 goals, 66 assists in 108 games with Westside from 2007-09) as an unrestricted free agent on Friday, signing the Kelowna product to a two-year contract worth $8-million US.

The 30-year-old spent the last 4.5 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has 214 points in 482 career NHL games.

Grant returns to the Anaheim Ducks

Forward Derek Grant (49 goals, 74 assists in 92 games with Langley from 2007-09) has signed a three-year contract worth $1.5 million per season with the Anaheim Ducks as an unrestricted free agent.

Grant, 30, has played 146 games with the Ducks during his NHL career over two stints. He has 70 points in 264 NHL games with Ottawa, Calgary, Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Anaheim.

Irwin joins the Buffalo Sabres

Defenseman Matt Irwin (41 goals, 70 assists in 178 games with Nanaimo from 2005-08) signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres as a UFA.

The Victoria product finished the 2019-20 season with one assist in nine games with the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old has played 359 career NHL games with San Jose, Boston, Nashville, and Anaheim.

Boyle signs deal with the Red Wings

Goaltender Kevin Boyle (20-15-0, 2.99 goals-against-average, .903 save percentage, one shutout in 39 games with Westside in 2010-11) signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

Boyle, 28, played the last four seasons in the Anaheim Ducks system, appearing in five NHL games in 2018-19.

Over that time, he played in 117 American Hockey League games with a 62-38-12 record, a 2.71 GAA, a .915 SV% and two shutouts.