The Cranbrook Bucks had a fantastic first full season in the BC Hockey League, finishing fifth in the Interior Conference standings. In the Fred Page Cup playoffs, the Bucks were eliminated in six games in a thrilling first-round matchup with Prince George.
Cranbrook has one player in Liam Hansson committed to an NCAA Division I school, and four players aging out of junior hockey.
Cranbrook’s general manager and head coach Ryan Donald has 11 forwards up front, six defenders on the back end, and netminder Nathan Airey all eligible to return next season. Donald will have the max of six 20-year-olds to return for the Bucks second full season in the BCHL.
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
Liam Hansson (Air Force Academy)
Johnny Johnson (aged out)
Brendan Rogers (aged out)
Quaid Anderson (aged out)
Evan Gartner (aged out)
Eligible Returnees (* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 14 forwards and eight defenders)
Forwards
Hayden Gelbard (02)
Zeth Kindrachuk (02)
AJ Vasko (02)
Noah Quinn (03)
Kellan Hjartarson (03)
Andrew King (03)
Jaden Fodchuk (03)
Jarrod Smith (04)
Carter Schmidt (04)
Tyson Dyck (04)
Luke Pfoh (05)
*
*
*
Defenders
Rhys Bentham (02)
Bauer Morrissey (02)
Cameron Kungle (02)
Carsyn Good (03)
Declan Ride (03)
Cole Assailly (03)
*
*
Goaltenders
Nathan Airey (03)
*
