Hockey is taking centre stage in the area, while the BC Lions are ready to host the Edmonton Eskimos in only the second season home game, while the Whitecaps play two days later against Sporting KC.
Canucks GM Jim Benning appears not to be finished making changes to the roster, but officially announcing the Canucks have signed forward Micheal Ferland (6’1, 217 lbs) to a four-year, $14-Million contract worth an annual average value of $3,500,000.
General Manager Jim Benning told the media “Micheal (27) is an energetic player that drives the play and can contribute in all three zones and he’ll make our team harder to play against on a nightly basis and we’re excited that he’ll call Vancouver home.”
In the 2018.19 season he posted a career-high in assists (23) managing 17 goals and 40 points were his second highest career total in both categories.
He had six PP goals on the season also ranked tied for third on the Hurricanes roster while his 12 PP points ranked fourth that also saw him collect an assist in seven games with the Hurricanes during the Stanley Cup playoffs
He has appeared in 321 games over a five-year span that was split between Carolina and Calgary while recording 129 points (59-70-129) also collecting three goals and three assists in 20 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.
He calls Swan River Manitoba home and was originally selected in the 5th round, 133rd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Vancouver Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta announced today that the Giants have signed 2002-born forward Cole Shepard (West Vancouver, B.C.) to a Standard WHL Player Agreement.
The team made it official during a media conference at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
“We are very happy to have Cole and the Shepard family committed to the Vancouver Giants,” said Barclay Parneta. “He provides a solid mix of speed and skill and can impact a game in a lot of positive ways. He’s going to be a key contributor to our success in the years to come.”
Originally selected 33rd overall by the Giants in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Shepard joins the Giants after spending his 16-year-old season with the BCHL’s Penticton Vees.
In 53 games the 5’10”, 152-pound forward scored seven goals and added 17 assists for 24 points.
Shepard spent the two previous seasons with the Delta Hockey Academy (DHA) notching 53 points in 34 games during the 2017-18 season in Midget and 47 points in 30 games in 2016-17 in Bantam.
He is eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Internationally, Shepard suited up for Canada Red at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and registered four assists in six games.
With this signing, Shepard becomes the sixth Giant from their 2017 WHL Bantam Draft class to commit to the team joining the likes of: Justin Sourdif, Tanner Brown, Krz Plummer, Braedy Euerby and Jacob Gendron.
Shepard joins his older brother Jackson who was acquired by the Giants in a trade with Lethbridge on May 24, 2019.
Thanks to both the Vancouver Canucks and the Vancouver Giants for the press release!!
