For junior hockey players, making a junior A roster is a big accomplishment, potentially a path toward a future college commitment to an NCAA school. However, not every player stays in junior A. Different opportunities open up for players on other teams and at different levels. Most often, players advance […]
Tag: Victoria Grizzlies
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 […]
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 […]
BCHL Wrap: Penticton loses first games, Nanaimo and Cranbrook extend win streaks
The number one storyline heading into last week’s BC Hockey League schedule was the undefeated Penticton Vees looking to extend their 24-game win streak. Penticton was in tough, however, as the Vees were visiting the Wenatchee Wild and the surging Cranbrook Bucks on a Southern Interior road swing. Here is […]
Examining six former BCHL players with North American Hockey League ties
For some players, the BC Hockey League is a destination to play, and come from across North America to join one of its teams. One league the BCHL gets players from often is the North American Hockey League. The opposite is also true as NAHL clubs often bring in players […]
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 […]
Capitals Update: The return of Mike Vandekamp
On Nov. 16, there was a change behind the bench in Cowichan Valley. Brian Passmore was relieved as head coach and general manager. Replacing him is Mike Vandekamp. Vandekamp is familiar to Capitals fans as he coached the team from 2018 to 2020. After the 2020 playoffs were canceled, Vandekamp […]
2022-23 BCHL jersey watch
Another great season of BC Hockey League action is well underway. And with a new season comes new looks for some of the teams. Before the 2022-23 season, the Pentiction Vees did a massive overhaul of the look of their franchise. The BCHL has also changed out the large league […]
New goalies guarding the den: A look at Ansel Holt and Oliver Auyeung-Ashton
With a new season comes a new goalie tandem for the Victoria Grizzlies. Kyle Kelsey has joined the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and Cole Schwebius aged out of junior hockey and is now playing at the University of British Columbia for the Thunderbirds men’s team. New head coach and general […]
26 players with BCHL experience on NHL opening night rosters
The BC Hockey League continues to be one of the top development leagues in North America. On Monday, National Hockey League teams were required to declare their rosters, and the BCHL is well represented. In total, 26 players on 19 NHL opening night rosters played in the BCHL. An additional […]


