Cowichan Valley Capitals: Graduating players and eligible returnees

Cowichan Valley Capitals finished in the final Coastal Conference playoff spot this past season, holding off Powell River and ending the Kings’ 21-year playoff run. The Caps faced Alberni Valley in the first round and were swept in four games.

The Capitals have three players in David Jacobs, Luke Haymes, and Shayne LaVelle committed to NCAA Division I schools, two players in Colin Campbell and Griffin Wilson committed to U SPORTS schools, and one aging out in Brett Fudger.

Cowichan Valley’s general manager and head coach Brian Passmore will have eight forwards, six defenders, and a goalie tandem eligible to return. However, with 10 players set to be 20-year-olds in 2022-23, there are definitely some tough decisions coming as the Capitals are only able to keep six of them.

These numbers will likely change as players move to other leagues like the Western Hockey League, US Hockey League, or North American Hockey League. They may drop down to junior B, be sent away in trades, retire, or wind up committing to college before September and don’t return to their BCHL clubs.

The depth chart is based on the league going with a 24-player roster next season and coaches going with 14 forwards, eight defenders, and two goaltenders. 

Graduating players

David Jacobs (Princeton University)
Luke Haymes (Dartmouth University)
Shayne LaVelle (Lindenwood University)
Colin Campbell (Wilfred Laurier Univerisity)
Griffin Wilson (University of Guelph)
Brett Fudger (aged out)

Eligible returnees (* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 14 forwards and eight defenders)

Forwards
Aiden Cobb (02)
Sam Schofield (02)
Kevin-Thomas Walters (02)
Matteo Turrin (02)
Massimo Sarantos Lombardi (02)
Adam Grenier (03)
Matty Edwards (05)
Arjun Bawa (05)
*
*
*
*
*
*

Defenders
Zach Brault (02)
Jordan Edwards (02)
James Bohn (02)
Ian Kern (02)
Connor Elliott (03)
Mason Croucher (04)
*
*

Goalies
McCoy Bidewell (02)
Evan May (04)