New nest members: Examining three Surrey Eagles recruits

The Surrey Eagles are BCHL champions after defeating the Penticton Vees in six games to win the Fred Page Cup earlier this spring. After winning the Fred Page Cup, the Eagles lost the Rocky Mountain Challenge to the Brooks Bandits.

Meanwhile, like all BCHL clubs, the Eagles are preparing for the 2024-25 season. According to the BCHL’s “New Recruits” page, the Eagles have recruited three players for next season’s roster.

Two new players come from local hockey programs in New York and New Jersey and the other from a prep school in Massachusetts. This article is about these three players, but before that, I will look at the Eagles departing players.

Departing the nest

Several Eagles are departing Surrey for NCAA schools, including the team’s top two scorers from 2023-24. Eagles forward Caden Cranston notched 86 points in 51 games and will attend Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. As for Aaron Schwartz, he will attend Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. In 51 games, Schwartz put up 81 points.

As for Eagles defenders, Nathan Oickle and Ty Brassington are off to college. Oickle will attend Niagara University in Lewiston, Massachusetts. Brassington is off to Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. In goal, Ajeetpal Gundarah is going to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The above players are just some of the Eagles from last season who won’t be back in 2024-25.

From New Jersey and Long Island to South Surrey

Joining the Eagles from the New Jersey Rockets program is 2006-born forward Ryan Lukko. Lukko is a longtime player in the Rockets association, who has played for several of its teams since 2021. Previously, he played for the Woodbridge Wolfpack youth hockey program and Colonia High School hockey team. Lukko has a bit of junior hockey experience. During the 2022-23 season, he played two games for the Madison Capitols of the U.S. Hockey League as an affiliate player. The native of Colonia, New Jersey is committed to St. Lawrence University for September 2025.

Meanwhile, 2006-born defender Andrew Cowgill comes from the Long Island Gulls 18U AAA squad. Cowgill, from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, has played for several hockey programs across the U.S. Northeast over the last few years. He spent time with Lovell Academy in 2022-23, and Perkiomen Valley High School from 2020 to 2022. Cowgill also played for the Valley Forge Minutemen hockey club at the 13U AAA, 14U AAA, and 15U AAA levels.

Coming from Needham

Joining the Eagles from St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Massachusetts is 2005-born forward Nolan Flynn. He has played for many hockey programs based in New England, including the Boston Jr. Eagles, which is where he spent his 13U AAA and 14U AAA seasons.

Flynn played for the Cape Cod Whalers 15U AAA, 16U AAA, and 18U AAA teams over the last four years. He also spent time with the South Shore Kings 18U AAA team in 2022-23. Flynn is already committed to Sacred Heart University for September 2025.

Preparing for 2024-25

These three players are just some of several recruits joining the Eagles for next season.

In terms of eligible returnees, goaltenders Jaiden Sharma and Colton Jugnath can return for next season. Two defenders who could be back are Joven Brar and Charlie Derriheim along with forwards Savek Brar and Miles Burgin. They — and other veteran players — can help the Eagles continue to compete in a changing BCHL.

This season, the five Alberta-based teams will play regular season games against the BC-based teams. The Brooks Bandits knocked off Surrey during the Rocky Mountain Challenge. With the Alberta teams in the fold, new GM and head coach Scott Gomez and the rest of the Eagles now have at least one additional rival contesting for the top team in the BCHL.