The Vernon Vipers finished sixth in the BC Hockey League’s Interior Conference this season with a 27-21-2-4 record and faced the West Kelowna Warriors in the first round of the Fred Page Cup playoffs. Vernon upset the Warriors in six games. The Vipers then faced the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in […]
U SPORTS
Prince George Spruce Kings: Graduating players and eligible returnees
The Prince George Spruce Kings finished fifth in the BC Hockey League’s Interior Conference this season with a 27-20-6-1 record and faced the Salmon arm Silverbacks in the first round of the Fred Page Cup playoffs. The Spruce Kings fell to the Backs in four straight games. The Spruce Kings […]
Tovell plays big role in his lone season with the Silverbacks
As a young hockey player, Matthew Tovell of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks was drawn to try his hand at goalie. “I think the biggest thing for me was the goalie gear,” said the 21-year-old. “I was really drawn to the glove. I thought it was pretty cool. I always wanted […]
Chris Hebb: BC Hockey League talks “a lot” about expansion
Could we see a BC Hockey League with 20-plus teams? The idea that the league could add to its existing 18-team circuit might be more of a reality than it seems. According to BCHL Chief Executive Officer Chris Hebb in an intermission interview with Salmon Arm Silverbacks play-by-play announcer Tony […]
New goalies guarding the den: A look at Ansel Holt and Oliver Auyeung-Ashton
With a new season comes a new goalie tandem for the Victoria Grizzlies. Kyle Kelsey has joined the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and Cole Schwebius aged out of junior hockey and is now playing at the University of British Columbia for the Thunderbirds men’s team. New head coach and general […]
Examining recent Grizzlies alumni at U SPORTS Schools
In a previous article, I wrote about Grizzlies alumni attending NCAA schools after they committed to Division I and Division III schools. While many former Victoria players have committed to the NCAA, many others have committed to Canadian universities. These players are usually the exception instead of the norm simply […]
BCHL Bulletin: Grimwood joins Victoria as assistant coach, Vees forced to shuffle their crease, and more!
Grizzlies bring in Grimwood as an assistant coach The Victoria Grizzlies have added 41-year-old Geoff Grimwood (one goal, three assists in 29 games with Victoria in 1998-99) as an assistant coach for the 2022-23 season. Grimwood, who’s from Victoria, BC, spent last season as head coach of the Kamloops Storm […]
BCHL Bulletin: Warriors add new recruits, Spruce Kings, Bulldogs, Caps make trades, and more!
Bulldogs trade Leyer to Spruce Grove of the AJHL The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have traded 2002-born Ethan Leyer to the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Leyer, who’s from St. Albert, AB, is committed to St. Cloud State University for this September. With the […]
BCHL Bulletin: Kings, Bucks, and Spruce Kings add new recruits, Express hires new bench boss, and more!
Bandu joins the Prince George Spruce Kings The Prince George Spruce Kings have added 2004-born defender Aleksy Bandu for the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season. Bandu, who’s from Montreal, QC, was with The Governor’s Academy Prep in 2021-22 and posted three goals and six points in 27 games. His older […]
BCHL Bulletin: Merritt nabs Wessels via trade from Langley, Eagles add Sandhu to their forward group, and more!
Cents pick up Wessels from Langley The Merritt Centennials have added 2003-born defender Josh Wessels to their blueline after acquiring him in a trade from Langley for future considerations. The Richmond, BC product finished 2021-22 with five goals and five assists in 39 games with the Rivermen. He also added […]