The wild summer of hockey musical chairs that created the Langley Rivermen

The 2011 off-season marked a period of significant change for hockey in Canada. A series of relocations ultimately led to the BCHL’s return to Chilliwack after the Western Hockey League’s Chilliwack Bruins moved to Vancouver Island to become the Victoria Royals.

With the Chiefs’ identity open, Chilliwack reclaimed the historic moniker for its new BCHL franchise. Meanwhile, the original Langley Chiefs franchise rebranded itself as the Rivermen.

To understand the Rivermen’s inaugural season in the BCHL, it helps to look back at the whirlwind of franchise relocations that shook up the summer of 2011.

A whirlwind summer of change

That off-season, the NHL famously returned to Manitoba when the Atlanta Thrashers were moved to become the new Winnipeg Jets. This forced the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose to temporarily relocate to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Seeking to secure the Victoria market, the WHL then approved the Bruins’ move to Vancouver Island.

With Prospera Centre suddenly vacant, a new ownership group stepped up, purchased the fledgling Quesnel Millionaires, and moved the franchise to Chilliwack. Concurrently, a new ownership group acquired the Langley Chiefs, setting the stage for the team’s official rebrand.

Behind the bench for the Rivermen’s inaugural season was head coach and general manager Steve O’Rourke. Joining O’Rourke were assistant coaches Jordan Emmerson and Bobby Henderson, while Pasco Valana served as the goaltending coach. Taylor Henderson served as the director of hockey operations, while Roy Henderson and John Henderson took over as team owners, with Roy acting as team president.

The team’s first on-ice leadership group featured four players. Ryan Bakken was named the Rivermen’s first captain, with Derek Sutliffe, Danny Vlanich, and Mike Tebbutt serving as alternate captains.

Early growing pains and a path to the postseason

Langley finished its first season as the Rivermen with a 19-34-5-1 record. It earned 44 points and finished seventh in the Coastal Conference, missing the playoffs. The team played its first game on September 23, 2011, with Tebbutt scoring the new era’s first goal.

The Rivermen’s top three scorers in 2011-12 were Darnell Dyck, Mario Puskarich, and Tebbutt. Dyck led the way with 19 goals and 44 assists, followed closely by Puskarich with 31 goals and 28 assists, and Tebbutt with 24 goals and 23 assists.

In net, Langley used three goaltenders during the regular season. James Kruger carried the bulk of the workload, posting a 10-22-0-0 record across 34 games, while James Barr went 9-15-1 in 28 appearances. Affiliate netminder Nic Renyard also saw action, finishing the regular season 0-2-0-0.

Following the inaugural campaign, O’Rourke departed his dual role as head coach and general manager. Bobby Henderson was promoted to fill the vacancy, while Emmerson moved into an associate coach role. Kurt Astle also joined the staff as an assistant coach and director of player personnel.

Roster turnover quickly followed, anchored by college commitments as Bakken and Dyck both departed for Lindenwood University of the ACHA, while goaltender James Kruger advanced to the NCAA with Dartmouth College. Meanwhile, other core pieces shifted within the junior ranks — Vlanich joined the KIJHL’s Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Tebbutt moved on to the Abbotsford Pilots of the PJHL, and netminder Nic Renyard remained in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees.

The 2012-13 campaign brought noticeable improvement in the standings. The Rivermen posted a 24-26-5-1 record, securing fourth place in the Coastal Division and clinching a playoff berth. However, their postseason run was short-lived, as the rival Surrey Eagles eliminated Langley in a four-game sweep.

The modern era in Langley

The Henderson era has since concluded, with John Henderson selling the Rivermen franchise to current owners Dana Matheson and Jamie Schreder in 2023.

Though the Rivermen originally called the Langley Events Centre home, they relocated to the George Preston Arena in 2016. This shift occurred after the WHL’s Vancouver Giants left the Pacific Coliseum to move into the LEC.

As the Rivermen approach the 15th anniversary of their rebrand, current owners Matheson and Schreder undoubtedly have big plans to celebrate the milestone.

The team’s current hockey operations are led by head coach and general manager Brad Rihela, himself a Langley Chiefs affiliate player from 2007 to 2009. Chris Price serves as associate coach alongside assistant coach Carson Preston. Boston Bilous is on staff as the goaltending consultant, while Shane Muche serves as assistant general manager, director of business operations, and alternate governor.

Photo credit: Garrett James Photography