(British Columbia Hockey League official media release) With the IIHF U20 World Championship just a few days away, rosters are now set for the tournament and there will be three current BCHL players and one league alumnus suiting up for their countries. In addition, four other current BCHLers took part […]
Tag: Matthew Wood
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: Wood and Nadeau taken at NHL Draft, Vipers, Eagles, and Rivermen get commitments, and more!
Wood selected 15th overall by Nashville 2005-born forward Matthew Wood (50 goals, 48 assists in 64 games with Victoria from 2020-22) was selected 15th overall by the Nashville Predators on the first night of the National Hockey League draft. He is the first player with B.C. Hockey League experience to […]
Examining the Grizzlies 2022-23 season
This past season, the Victoria Grizzlies finished sixth in the Coastal Conference with a final record was 26-20-5-3. The season saw several changes for the organization. The Grizzlies hired Rylan Ferster as their new head coach and general manager and later added Geoff Grimwood to the coaching staff as an […]
Hockey Canada offers lukewarm initial response to BCHL going independent
Following Monday’s announcement that the B.C. Hockey League has pulled out of Hockey Canada, the sport’s governing body replied to media requests with a written statement that was published in some form by a variety of media, including Postmedia, CBC, and The Hockey News. The statement reads like something a […]
BCHL Bulletin: Wood earns bronze medal, Spruce Kings sign RPI commit, and more!
Wood wins bronze medal at IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship Wood, who is from Lethbridge, Alta., scored seven goals and added six assists in Canada’s seven games at this year’s event. He was in on all four goals in Sunday’s bronze-medal game, finishing with a goal and three assists. Sanborn […]
New den members: Examining new Grizzlies recruits for 2023-24
With the 2022-23 season nearly complete, the Victoria Grizzlies have started recruiting players for the 2023-24 season. Several current Grizzlies will leave after this season. As of this writing, the BCHL website lists eight new players joining the Grizzlies for 2023-24. All eight players come from schools around North America. […]
Two Goal Lead Podcast presented by BCHLNetwork: Episode 5 – Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Luke Lavery
A chat with Cowichan Valley Capitals forward Luke Lavery about a number of topics, including: The Caps drive for the playoffs His NCAA commitment to Providence College Having NHL Draft prospect Matthew Wood as a teammate growing up And more!
Revisiting Alberni Valley’s acquisition of Arlo Merritt
Last season, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs were preparing for a deep playoff run and on January 5, 2022, made a trade with the Coquitlam Express. The Bulldogs acquired 2001-born forward Arlo Merritt from the Coquitlam Express for 2004-born forward Mirko Buttazzoni and future considerations. For both teams, the trade served […]
Victoria Grizzlies’ den profile: Olivier Picard
Olivier Picard has joined the Victoria Grizzlies for the 2022-23 season and he is the latest Grizz player to come from the Major Junior ranks. He last played for the Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Since joining the Grizzlies, Picard has […]