Everyone still questions the move the BCHL made but from all indications that was the wishes of the league Board of Governors and regardless the game goes on.
We see the influx of teams in the JPHL that has attracted players to play in several divisions all of which compete with the BC Elite Hockey League, Academy Hockey not to mention minor hockey Associations throughout the province.
Locally the PJHL continues to grow and most recently had the official announcement of their newest team playing on the Sunshine Coast which everyone is excited about.
They will be looking at billeting players while adding some local talent from the area with a training camp set for the spring.
Now we are hearing that the BCHL are again holding a Top Prospects Game Jan. 19 at Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre.
It took a while and, following a vote between BCHL GM’s and Head Coaches plus some input from NHL Central Scouting, the roster was finalized.
The following is from the BCHL with “thanks” to Jesse Adamson, Director, Communications & Events BC Hockey League, 604-354-0035
Players listed by Central Scouting on their Players to Watch list from October received automatic entries, while players who are already drafted and 2003-born athletes who are no longer draft eligible, were not considered for the team. The two rosters were split between Coastal Conference and Interior Conference players.
Coastal Conference roster
Pos.
Name
Team
NCAA School
G
Owen Bresson
Victoria Grizzlies
–
G
Tyler Hodges*
Nanaimo Clippers
–
D
Luke Ashton
Langley Rivermen
–
D
Richard Baran
Victoria Grizzlies
Arizona State
D
Rylan Bonkowski
Surrey Eagles
Minnesota State
D
Andrew Brown
Nanaimo Clippers
–
D
Gabriel Guilbault*
Langley Rivermen
–
D
Matt Lahey*
Nanaimo Clippers
Clarkson
D
Jax Wismer
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
UConn
F
Wyatt Blace
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
–
F
Caden Cranston
Surrey Eagles
Merrimack
F
Ryden Evers
Surrey Eagles
Omaha
F
Noah Eyre
Powell River Kings
Quinnipiac
F
Samuel Leonard
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
St. Lawrence
F
Brady Milburn
Chilliwack Chiefs
Lake Superior
F
Patrick Murphy*
Victoria Grizzlies
Brown
F
Mike Murtagh
Nanaimo Clippers
UConn
F
Chase Pirtle
Victoria Grizzlies
Cornell
F
Tobias Pitka*
Victoria Grizzlies
Boston College
F
Joel Plante
Nanaimo Clippers
Omaha
F
Aaron Schwartz
Surrey Eagles
Quinnipiac
Interior Conference roster
Pos.
Name
Team
NCAA School
G
Ryan Grout
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
–
G
Will Ingemann
Penticton Vees
St. Thomas
D
Adam Barone
Trail Smoke Eaters
Lake Superior
D
Adam Boatter
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Colorado
D
Francesco Dell’Elce*
Penticton Vees
UMass
D
Landen Hilditch
West Kelowna Warriors
RPI
D
Cole Longacre*
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Merrimack
D
Kiernan Poulin
Merritt Centennials
UMass
F
Callum Arnott
Penticton Vees
Minnesota-Duluth
F
Riley Ashe*
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Omaha
F
Shea Busch
Vernon Vipers
–
F
Adam Csabi
Vernon Vipers
–
F
Max Heise*
Penticton Vees
Michigan State
F
Callum Hughes*
West Kelowna Warriors
Boston University
F
Connor MacPherson*
Penticton Vees
New Hampshire
F
Simon Meier
Penticton Vees
Northern Michigan
F
JJ Monteiro*
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Providence
F
Erik Pastro
Vernon Vipers
–
F
Jack Pridham*
West Kelowna Warriors
Boston University
F
Chase Stefanek*
Trail Smoke Eaters
Harvard
F
Reid Varkonyi*
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Denver
*Players received automatic entries due to being listed on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list
Tickets for the Top Prospects Game are on sale now and can be purchased here.
He was recognized by Ravi Kahlon, BC’s MLA Minister for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation in September 11, 2017.
In December 2022 he was Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Pin.
Awarded Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award for tangible for significant assistant given for the better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.