BCHL Today: BCHL hands out Coquitlam pod awards, Kent is off to Mercyhurst, and more!

 

BCHL hands out Coquitlam pod awards

The BC Hockey League announced the award winners for the Coquitlam pod on Wednesday. Players from the Coquitlam Express, Powell River Kings, and Surrey Eagles were eligible to earn awards.

  • Coquitlam pod champions: Surrey Eagles
  • Coquitlam pod top scorer: Christian Fitzgerald, Surrey Eagles
  • Coquitlam pod top rookie: Keeton Oakley, Coquitlam Express
  • Coquitlam pod most valuable player: Fitzgerald
  • Coquitlam pod top goaltender: Thomas Scarfone, Surrey Eagles
  • Coquitlam pod top defenseman: Ben Brunette, Powell River Kings

The 2020-21 BCHLNetwork award winners are here.

Kent commits to Mercyhurst for 2022

2001-born Vernon Vipers defenseman Nicholas Kent has committed to playing NCAA Division I hockey at Mercyhurst University starting in September 2022.

Kent, who’s from Ladera Ranch, California, had three goals and 14 points in 20 games with the Vipers this past season, his fourth of junior hockey.

Express add Hellweger and Shepard to team staff

The Coquitlam Express announced the addition of Andy Hellweger as video coach and minor hockey coordinator and Danny Shepard as director of athlete assistance for the 2021-22 BCHL season.

Hellweger served as an assistant coach for the Express on an interim basis during the recent pod season. The 27-year-old was the U18 head coach for West Vancouver Minor Hockey before joining Coquitlam.

Shepard joins the Express in a newly created role that looks at the development of its players both mentally and physically.

According to Coquitlam vice-president and general manager Tali Campbell, Shepard’s addition “will provide holistic care for Coquitlam Express athletes and ensure every player receives the necessary support to thrive on and off the ice”.

Silverbacks sign trainer St. Jacques to a two-year extension

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks have signed trainer and equipment manager Brodie St. Jacques to a two-year contract extension through the 2022-23 season.

The 2020-21 pod season was St. Jacques’ second in the BCHL with the Silverbacks. He has a diploma in kinesiology from Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta.

Wild recall Duhaime from American Hockey League

Forward Brandon Duhaime (six goals, 19 assists in 56 games with West Kelowna and Merritt from 2014-15) was recalled by the Minnesota Wild from the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old product of Parkland, Florida had six goals and nine points in 24 games with Iowa this past season. It was his second straight year in the AHL after posting 20 points as a rookie in 2019-20.

Turris nominated for King Clancy Award

Forward Kyle Turris (102 goals, 91 assists in 110 games with Burnaby from 2005-07) is the Edmonton Oilers nominee for the NHL’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

The 31 nominees, including Turris, were selected by their respective teams. The New Westminster, BC product had two goals and five points in 27 games with the Oilers this season.

Dal Monte commits to Utica College

Defenseman Mattias Dal Monte (five goals, 10 assists in 87 games with Merritt and Alberni Valley from 2017-20) has committed to Utica College to play NCAA Division III hockey.

The 2000-born blueliner from Nanaimo had three goals and seven points in 36 games with the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League during the 2020-21 season.

LaCouvee signs with Bratislava for 2021-22

Goaltender Connor LaCouvee (27-30-0, 3.09 goals-against-average, .913 save percentage, 4 shutouts in 62 games with Cowichan Valley, Merritt, and Alberni Valley from 2012-14) has signed with the Bratislava Capitals of the ICE Hockey League for 2021-22.

The 26-year-old Qualicum Beach, BC product split 2020-21 between HK Dukla Trencin in Slovakia and the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. He had a combined 2.53 goals-against-average and .911 save percentage in 20 games between the two.

Morley leaves Sweden for Finland

Forward Tyler Morley (67 goals, 89 assists in 208 games with Surrey from 2008-12) has signed with Tappara of Liiga for the 2021-22 season.

The 29-year-old had five goals and 19 points in 53 games split between Linköping and Skellefteå AIK this past season.