The 2024 NHL Draft was once again a significant event for the British Columbia Hockey League as 10 players with ties to the league were selected this year, including four players who skated in the league during the 2023-24 season. Four of the players appeared in the BCHL before moving […]
Tag: Kelowna Rockets
BCHL Bulletin: Smokies, Bucks, and Express sign new players, Erickson commits to SFU, and more!
Trail signs Risteau for 2023-24 The Trail Smoke Eaters announced the addition of 2006-born forward Michael Risteau on Wednesday. Risteau, who calls Lakeville, Minnesota home, spent 2022-23 at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School playing prep hockey. In 27 games, he finished with 17 goals and 32 points. He also played 18 games […]
BCHL Network: Capitals sign netminder Despatie, Sonne joins Express as assistant coach, and more!
Capitals sign Despatie for 2023-24 2003-born goaltender Emerik Despatie has signed with the Cowichan Capitals for the 2023-24 B.C. Hockey League season. He attended training camp in 2021 with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets. Despatie, who is from Gatineau, Que., played 26 games with his hometown Olympiques in […]
BCHL Bulletin: Sochan is off to RMU, Cents seek an athletic therapist, and more!
Sochan commits to RMU Surrey Eagles netminder Michael Sochan has committed to Robert Morris University for this September. Sochan, who’s from Redwood City, Calif., was 10-7 this past season with a 3.11 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage, and two shutouts in 17 starts for the Eagles. The 2002-born goalie […]
Even more Major Junior players in the BCHL
Previously, I wrote about former Major Junior players who joined BC Hockey League rosters and the 2022-23 season has seen several more. Olivier Picard came from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Aidan Campbell came from the Ontario Hockey League, and Aiden Reeves came from the Western Hockey League. Those […]
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: Chiefs sign Kinch as a new recruit, Nieuwendyk heads to Canisius College, and more!
Chiefs add Kinch to their forward group for 2022-23 The Chilliwack Chiefs have added 2004-born forward Dylan Kinch for the 2022-23 BC Hockey League season. Kinch, who’s from Calgary, AB, was a regular with Edge School U18 Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in 2021-22 and posted 31 […]
BCHL Bulletin: June 1 brings a flurry of trades, Dyck chooses UMass, and more!
Dyck commits to the University of Massachusetts According to New England Hockey Journal writer Mark Divver, 2004-born Cranbrook Bucks forward Tyson Dyck, who’s ranked 110th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2022 NHL Draft, has committed to the University of Massachusetts. Per Divver’s tweet above, the […]
BCHL Bulletin: Vees take game one vs. Nanaimo, Smokies, Caps, Bucks, and Warriors add new recruits, and more!
Vees take game one of Fred Page Cup Defender Ryan Hopkins scored the eventual winner on a power play with 1:32 left in the first period and the Penticton Vees dumped the visiting Nanaimo Clippers 4-1 in game one of the Fred Page Cup Final on Friday. Luc Wilson had […]
More major junior transplants in the BCHL
Previously, I wrote about a handful of players with major junior experience who came to play in the BC Hockey League. These players joined BCHL teams for several reasons, but a big motivator was the opportunity to get playing time or they were squeezed out by the Western Hockey League’s […]