BCHL Today: Clippers acquire Maia from Victoria, Grizzlies reportedly lose Monds to USHL, Wild add another recruit, and more

 

Clippers pick up Maia from Victoria

The Nanaimo Clippers added a big piece to their forward group on Wednesday with the acquisition of Thomas Maia from the Victoria Grizzlies for future considerations.

Maia had a goal and nine assists in 14 games for the Grizzlies during the BC Hockey League’s training season in the fall.

He spent the 2019-20 season in the NCAA with the Rochester Institute of Technology but didn’t play a game due to a broken leg.

The Milton, Ontario product put up 51 goals and 90 assists in three OJHL seasons from 2016-19 with the Blades and the Milton Icehawks.

Report: Monds leaves Victoria for Fargo of the USHL

New England Hockey Journal contributor Mark Divver reports that 2001-born forward Cody Monds has left the Victoria Grizzlies to join the Fargo Force of the US Hockey League.

Monds was second in BCHL scoring during the 2020-21 training season with 10 goals and 12 assists in a dozen games for Victoria.

The Providence College commit for this September was a member of the BCHL’s all-rookie team in 2019-20 after putting up 50 points in 57 games, a total that was second among all rookies and 12th overall in league scoring.

Wild nab another recruit for 2021-22

The Wenatchee Wild continues to add new players for 2021-22 and the latest is 2003-born defenseman Wes Turner.

The native of Granite Bay, California spent the 2019-20 season playing US prep hockey at Groton School in Massachusetts, where he tallied 22 points in 30 games.

BCHL unveils department of player safety section of website

The BCHL has added a new part of its website dedicated to player safety, which is headed up by former National Hockey League linesman Brad Lazarowich.

The site includes a detailed description of what the department of player safety does as well as discipline doled out to players and videos outlining the rationale behind administering disciplinary action in various incidents.

Brett commits to Finlandia University

Forward Sheldon Brett (seven goals, eight assists in 52 games with Trail, Nanaimo, and Powell River from 2014-17) has committed to play NCAA Div. III hockey at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan.

Brett, 24, spent the last two seasons at Bryn Athyn College, notching 17 points in 45 games. Before that, the Courtenay, BC product played for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 2017-18.

Benik signs a deal in Norway

Forward Joey Benik (60 goals, 92 assists in 120 games with Penticton from 2010-12) has signed a deal for the 2020-21 season with Sparta Sarpsborg of Fjordkraftligaen, which is the top league in Norway.

The 28-year-old from St. Francis, Minnesota had 38 points in 35 games with SC Langenthal of the Swiss League, which is the second tier of hockey in Switzerland.

Solar Bears release Meyer, add Lohan to reserve list

The Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL made a handful of moves on Wednesday, including the release of defenseman Paul Meyer (eight goals, 26 assists in 58 games with Alberni Valley in 2015-16) and the addition of defenseman Kevin Lohan (five goals, 18 assists in 54 games with Merritt in 2012-13) to their reserve list.

Meyer, 24, played two games with the Solar Bears this season but didn’t score any points. He wrapped up his four-year college career at Colgate University in 2019-20.

Lohan, 27, has one assist in six games with Orlando this season, his third in the ECHL. In 111 career ECHL games with the Solar Bears and Toledo, he has 18 points.

Hookenson and Gelsinger released by Utah

The ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies announced on Wednesday that they have released forward Brayden Gelsinger (51 goals, 104 assists in 169 games with Cowichan Valley, West Kelowna, and Victoria from 2013-16) and defenseman Edwin Hookenson (15 goals, 47 assists in 167 games with Nanaimo from 2013-16).

Gelsinger, a 25-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, had a goal and an assist in five games with Utah this season after signing in July. He is in his first pro season after four years at Lake Superior State University.

Hookenson, who also signed with the Grizzlies in July, played one game with them this season. The 25-year-old from Lampman, Saskatchewan spent the previous four seasons at Minnesota State University, Mankato.