Hockey Canada AGM Gets Underway:

Hockey Canada's annual general meeting gets underway today in Charlottetown and there are two items on the agenda that will definitely impact the BCHL and its fans.

Firstly, the host city for the 2015 RBC Cup will be determined at the AGM. The two cities bidding for the tournament are Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and Cobourg, Ontario. The teams associated with the bids are the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Secondly, it's interesting to note that Hockey Canada is reviewing the process for Junior A teams based in the United States to apply to be a member of a Canadian-based league. As of right now, there are only two U.S.-based teams in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (Minnesota Iron Rangers - SIJHL and Buffalo Jr. Sabres - OJHL). The Minnesota Wilderness, who played last season in the SIJHL, has been admitted to the NAHL while the NOJHL's Soo Eagles joined the NAHL following the 2011-12 season. 

And of course, much has been made of the Wenatchee Wild's potential to join the BCHL. My guess is the situation with Wenatchee has precipitated the discussion for Hockey Canada at this week's AGM.

I've bolded and underlined the items in Hockey Canada's release below:

Several initiatives related to the growth and development of hockey across the country will be discussed during Hockey Canada’s 94th annual general meeting (AGM), which runs from Thursday, May 23 through Sunday, May 26 at the Delta Prince Edward.

More than 250 representatives from regional and provincial hockey associations are gathering in Charlottetown for Hockey Canada’s AGM, with the governing body’s board of directors to be joined by life members and partner organizations, as well as councils that oversee female hockey, junior hockey, minor hockey, senior hockey and hockey development.

These representatives come together annually to set Hockey Canada’s direction to help grow the game of hockey in Canada.

About Hockey Canada’s annual general meeting in Charlottetown: 

•     The theme of the 2013 Hockey Canada AGM is “Safe fun is priority one!”
•     The AGM will feature a hot stove session on hockey in Canada on Saturday, May 25 at 11:15 am  AT with special guests from the hockey world.
•     Discussions will include: 
• a review of bodychecking in minor hockey in Canada;
• a discussion on governance;
• the election of a chairman and board of directors;
• site selection for the 2015 RBC Cup;
• a review of the process for U.S.-based Junior A teams who may, in the future, apply to participate in a Canadian league;
• final registration figures for 2012-13, including players, officials and coaches;  
• a recognition of national champions for 2012-13;  
• reports from Hockey Canada’s councils (female hockey, junior hockey, minor hockey, senior hockey and hockey development).

Hockey Canada’s 2013 awards banquet is set for the evening of Friday, May 24, where 10 deserving recipients will be honoured in different categories for their contributions and commitment to hockey in Canada.

HOCKEY CANADA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SCHEDULE
Media can contact Andre Brin (abrin@hockeycanada.ca / 403-540-8444) during the AGM for delegate interviews or information on sessions.

Three Members of Selkirk College Championship Team Commit to TRU for 2013-14:

Thompson Rivers University has gained some much-coveted "winning experience" for the upcoming B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season.

General manager Chris Hans and head coach Don Schulz are pleased to announce that forwards Brodie Gibbon and John Proctor along with goaltender Stephen Wolff will be joining the program in September. All three were members of the BCIHL champion Selkirk College Saints last season.

"I'm most pleased with the additions of these three players," says Schulz. "Saying pleased is an understatement. They all come from a successful, championship program and will bring a wealth of positive experience to the dressing room. All three want to contribute more and show what they can do at this level."

Gibbon is 5-foot-9, 170 pounds and had two goals and two assists in 13 games with the Saints last season. Proctor stands 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and played in 13 games last season, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Wolff won all six games he was in last season, compliling a goals against average of 2.62 and a saves percentage of .913.

"I've heard nothing but positive things about both the school and the hockey program," Proctor states. "I feel Thompson Rivers will be a perfect fit for me to further my education while continuing to play the sport I love."

Proctor, who will be taking courses in the Business Administration degree program, is a former minor and junior hockey teammate of fellow WolfPack recruits Alex Martin and Ryan Cuthbert (with the Delta IceHawks of the PJHL) and second-year forward Kevin Lourens (with the Major Midget Vancouver North East Chiefs).

"I chose TRU because it’s close to the town I grew up in (Logan Lake, BC)," says Wolff, who will enrol in Police and Justice studies. "A lot of the friends I grew up with there now live in Kamloops. It was an easy decision for me to choose Thompson Rivers as a school where I would further my studies. It’s a great school with a great reputation."

Gibbon will be entered in the Bachelor of Journalism program and is pleased to be reunited with his two Selkirk teammates and former Junior B teammate Jake Howardson, who he played with as a member of the VIJHL's Oceanside Generals.

"It's always easier going into a dressing room with some familiar faces in it," he says. "But I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know my new teammates."

"Brodie and John will add some needed depth to our forward crew and will complement our returning group very nicely," Schulz explains. "Both were scorers in junior and now that they have added some experience at this level, they know what to expect and what it takes to be successful. They are looking for a new beginning and a fresh start with us. I expect both of them to add to our offensive prowess and provide some needed punch up front."

As for his new goalie, the third fresh face at that position for 2013-14?

"What can I say about Stephen? He is undefeated at this level and his saves percentage was outstanding last year. We had some big holes to fill at this position and now with Stephen’s addition, those holes have been more than filled. I’m most excited at the depth we have with three outstanding goalies. I expect that all three will bring a whole new level of competitiveness and given Stephen’s experience, I expect him to be a leader both on and off the ice."

Adds general manager Chris Hans: "Brodie and John are nice additions to our roster. They are experienced at the collegiate level and add much needed depth to our forward group. Prior to last season, Brodie and John enjoyed exceptional seasons on their respective junior clubs. While their offensive numbers were modest last season, I expect them to make significant contributions to our success next season. The addition of Stephen Wolf is a fantastic development for our team. He is an excellent goaltender who had impressive stats this past season with the Saints. His BCIHL experience cannot be overlooked either as I expect him to be a stabilizing influence to new goaltender recruits Mark Menicucci and Chris Solecki."

NAHL's Fresno Monsters Relocate to Wenatchee:

I'd say that any movement to have the Wenatchee Wild play out of the BCHL has to be dead, not only after the previous incarnation of the franchise was moved to Hidalgo, Texas by ownership, but now that the Fresno Monsters have relocated to the Eastern Washington community.

The travel won't be any better for Wenatchee - which was one of the reasons why former owner Bill Stewart was looking to join the BCHL - in fact it'll be worse because the team's closest geographic opponent (Fresno) has just become the Wild.

I'd think that if the current Wenatchee Wild (nee Fresno Monsters) want to join the BCHL, it's for the 2014-15 season at the earliest as they'd have to go through all the same procedures Stewart did. Namely approval from the NAHL, USA Hockey, BCHL Governors, Hockey Canada and BC Hockey. And of course, they'd need a solid agreement to play out of the Toyota Town Centre in Wenatchee.

Here's the latest on this story from The Wenatchee World newspaper (http://www.wenatcheeworld.com):

The Town Toyota Center board has approved a contract with the owner of the Fresno Monsters, a team that played in the same league as the Wenatchee Wild.

"We have hockey," board president Dustin Christensen said as about 80 fans applauded and shouted their approval.

"I will welcome them with open arms," said Harriet Arrants, a season ticket holder to Wenatchee Wild games for the last five years.

The relocation of the team must still be approved by the North American Hockey League's board of governors, which is meeting on Thursday and Friday. That approval is expected to be given.

The team, which is owned by David White and shootthepuck.inc, would take on the Wenatchee Wild name and logo. There are currently only three teams left in the division that the team will play in, including Fairbanks and Kenai, Alaska. There may be a realignment of the league's divisions to add more teams to the division.

Addressing the crowd, the arena's Manager Mark Miller said, "Hockey community, we heard you loud and clear that you want the Wenatchee Wild. ... The name and logo will be here."

He added that arena officials also knew that hockey fans wanted a team that played at the same level as the former team.

"We will continue our quest to bring home a Robertson Cup in the NAHL," he said, which brought applause and shouts of "Thank you!"

Miller and the arena's attorney, Pete Fraley, have been working for weeks to find a replacement team after negotiations to keep the former NAHL team in town reached a stalemate.

That team's president, Bill Stewart, announced last week that he was moving the team to Texas.

Miller said that the owner of the Fresno Monsters, David White, read a newspaper article about the contract problems with the Wild and contacted arena officials about his interest in moving the Monsters to Wenatchee. NAHL officials also contacted White after learning that the Wenatchee arena was shopping for a new team.

Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz, who sits on the arena board, said White was offered the same contract that the board offered Stewart in March.

He said White "loves the facility, loves the fans and he wanted to be here."

While there were many teams interested in Wenatchee, Kuntz said White was "able to put a deal together faster than other teams. (League) deadlines were fast approaching, and we had to get this put together quick."

Of White, Kuntz said, "From all I've heard, he's a fantastic guy, self made in the fruit industry. I have all the confidence that he'll be successful here."

Some fans showed up to the meeting in their Wild jerseys, one waving a large flag with the Wild name and logo.

Lynn Coering of Wenatchee said she has been a season ticket holder and will continue to be one since the new team will also play tier 2 hockey. Many fans feared a lower tier 3 team would be brought in.

Arrants said Fresno has a reputation among local hockey fans for being dirty, but that may be because they were a chief rival of the wild.

She also said she hopes the players will continue to volunteer and be active in the community.

"I think those boys will be wonderfully happy in Wenatchee," she said.

Michelle McNiel: 664-7152
mcniel@wenatcheeworld.com

Coquitlam Express - Where Are They Now?

Matt Amado Jake Areshenko Clinton Atkinson Steven Axford Lee Baldwin Tyler Barr Matthew Bell Spencer Bennett James Bettauer John Bokla Taylor Bourne Cam Brodie Keegan Bruce Cody Campbell Luke Challier Jacob Charles Jared Cipparone Anthony Collins Justin Courtnall Paul Crowder Ilan Cumberbirch Colin De Jersey Paul De Jersey Simon Denis David Dotan Reid Edmondson Jared Eng Justin Faryna Carlo Finucci Paul Forster Jimmy Geerin Cole Gelley Sam Gemmell Max Grassi Jason Grecica Thomas Hardy Adam Hartley Dylan Herold Kyle Hughes Brad Hunt Matthew Hutchinson Mark Isherwood Matthew Ius David Jones Ilya Kravtchouk Tyler Krueger Andrew Ladd Mike Leidl Massimo Lamacchia Taylor Love Milan Lucic Mike Mackie-Kwist Rich Manley Jeff Martens Matt Mazzarolo Bruin McDonald Riley McIntosh Tyler McNeely Peter Merth Garrett Milan Trevor Milner Ben Murphy Ryan Niederkorn Mike Pao Michael Paolo Garrick Perry Alex Petan Brandon Pfeil Mike Piluso Mike Puddifant Jon Puskar Brad Reid Brodie Reid Kevin Richardson Matt Ridley Mark Santorelli Keith Seabrook Mark Soares Dave Simoes Ronnie Smith Jordan Soquila Marcus Sommerfeld Ryan Stanimir Connor Stephens Destry Straight Mike Towns Kyle Turris Alex Valenti Brent Vandenberg Jacob Verheyden Joe Vetere Sam Waterfield Patrick Wiercioch Nicholas Wong Brandon Yip G Robin Billingham G Mark Dekanich G Khaleed Devji G Kyle Jones G Harrison May

Chilliwack Chiefs - Where Are They Now?

Neeco Belanger Steve Birch Chris Blessing Dávid Bondra Blake Cosgrove Tyler Czuba Kody Dhaliwal Riley Emmerson Kevin Estrada Gabe Gauthier Malcolm Gould Shawn Horcoff Trevor Hunt Garet Hunt Matthew Hutchinson Nolan Julseth-White Vladislav Klochkov Jordan Kremyr Jason Krog Josh Lunden Shane Lust Kyle MacKinnon Brian Maloney Nathan Martz Tyler Miller Donald Nichols Darin Olver Marcello Ranallo David Rutherford Mark Santorelli Kit Sitterley Michael Spring Jeff Tambellini David Van Der Gulik Anderson White G Marco Emond

Surrey's Adam Tambellini & West Kelowna's David Pope To Attend 2013 NHL Scouting Combine:

Leading into next month's NHL Entry Draft in New Jersey, two of the eight BCHL players ranked in the draft have been invited to take part in the annual Scouting Combine from May 27 - June 1 in Toronto. Surrey Eagles forward Adam Tambellini (ranked 42nd) and West Kelowna Warriors forward David Pope (ranked 67th) are both attending.

The Combine is split into two parts. An interview phase is May 27 - 30, followed by a fitness test May 31 and June 1 at the Toronto International Centre. The fitness portion is headed by Dr. Norman Gledhill and the staff at York University.

North American skaters
Rank - Player	Team (League)	Position
1 - Seth Jones	Portland (WHL)	D
2 - Nathan MacKinnon	Halifax (QMJHL)	C
3 - Jonathan Drouin	Halifax (QMJHL)	LW
4 - Darnell Nurse	Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)	D
5 - Sean Monahan	Ottawa (OHL)	C
6 - Hunter Shinkaruk	Medicine Hat (WHL)	C/LW
7 - Valentin Zykov	Baie - Comeau (QMJHL)	LW
8 - Frederik Gauthier	Rimouski (QMJHL)	C
9 - Mirco Mueller	Everett (WHL)	D
10 - Anthony Mantha	Val - d'Or (QMJHL)	RW
11 - Shea Theodore	Seattle (WHL)	D
12 - Ryan Pulock	Brandon (WHL)	D
13 - Zach Nastasiuk	Owen Sound (OHL)	RW
14 - Chris Bigras	Owen Sound (OHL)	D
15 - Bo Horvat	London (OHL)	C
16 - Ryan Hartman	Plymouth (OHL)	RW
17 - Kerby Rychel	Windsor (OHL)	LW
18 - Wiliam Carrier	Cape Breton (QMJHL)	LW
19 - Max Domi	London (OHL)	C/LW
20 - Curtis Lazar	Edmonton (WHL)	C/LW
21 - James Lodge	Saginaw (OHL)	C
22 - Nikita Zadorov	London (OHL)	D
23 - Samuel Morin	Rimouski (QMJHL)	D
24 - Ian McCoshen	Waterloo (USHL)	D
25 - Morgan Klimchuk	Regina (WHL)	LW
26 - Adam Erne	Quebec (QMJHL)	LW
27 - Joshua Morrissey	Prince Albert (WHL)	D
28 - Laurent Dauphin	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	C
29 - Jon Hayden	USA U - 18 (USHL)	C
30 - Jason Dickinson	Guelph (OHL)	C
31 - Dillon Heatherington	Swift Current (WHL)	D
32 - Madison Bowey	Kelowna (WHL)	D
33 - Nicolas Petan	Portland (WHL)	C
34 - JT Compher	USA U - 18 (USHL)	LW
35 - Michael McCarron	USA U - 18 (USHL)	RW
36 - Oliver Bjorkstrand	Portland (WHL)	RW
37 - Jonathan - Ismael Diaby	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	D
38 - Justin Bailey	Kitchener (OHL)	RW
39 - Emile Poirier	Gatineau (QMJHL)	LW
40 - Brett Pesce	New Hampshire (H - East)	D
41 - Eric Roy	Brandon (WHL)	D
42 - Adam Tambellini	Surrey (BCHL)	C
43 - Jan Kostalek	Rimouski (QMJHL)	D
44 - Thomas Vanelli	Minnetonka (High - Mn)	D
45 - Connor Hurley	Edina High (High - Mn)	C
46 - Myles Bell	Kelowna (WHL)	LW
47 - Steven Santini	USA U - 18 (USHL)	D
48 - Nick Sorensen	Quebec (QMJHL)	RW
49 - Michael Downing	Dubuque (USHL)	D
50 - Yan Pavel Laplante	PEI (QMJHL)	C
51 - Gustav Olofsson	Green Bay (USHL)	D
52 - Gabryel Paquin - Boudreau	Baie - Comeau (QMJHL)	LW
53 - Keaton Thompson	USA U - 18 (USHL)	D
54 - Marc - Olivier Roy	Blainville - Boisbriand (QMJHL)	C
55 - Jordan Subban	Belleville (OHL)	D
56 - Ryan Fitzgerald	Valley (EJHL)	C
57 - Anthony Duclair	Quebec (QMJHL)	LW
58 - Nick Moutrey	Saginaw (OHL)	C/LW
59 - Mason Geertsen	Vancouver (WHL)	D
60 - Zachary Sanford	Islanders (EJHL)	LW
61 - Nicholas Baptiste	Sudbury (OHL)	RW
62 - Sean Malone	USA U - 18 (USHL)	C
63 - Ryan Kujawinski	Kingston (OHL)	C
64 - Teemu Kivihalme	Burnsville (High - Mn)	D
65 - Jackson Houck	Vancouver (WHL)	RW
66 - Tyler Lewington	Medicine Hat (WHL)	D
67 - David Pope	West Kelowna (BCHL)	LW
68 - Alexandre Coulombe	Stanstead College (High - Qc)	D
69 - Michell Wheaton	Kelowna (WHL)	D
70 - Hudson Fasching	USA U - 18 (USHL)	RW
71 - Remi Elie	London (OHL)	LW
72 - Kurt Etchegary	Quebec (QMJHL)	C
73 - Vincent Dunn	Val - d'Or (QMJHL)	C
74 - Dylan Labbe	Shawinigan (QMJHL)	D
75 - Anthony Florentino	South Kent School (High - Ct)	D
76 - Spenser Jensen	Medicine Hat (WHL)	D
77 - Avery Peterson	Grand Rapids (High - Mn)	C
78 - Ty Stanton	Medicine Hat (WHL)	D
79 - Jeremy Gregoire	Baie - Comeau (QMJHL)	C

Surrey Eagles - Eligible Returnees & Graduating Players:

With the Surrey Eagles season coming to an end with a 3-2 overtime loss on Saturday to the Summerside Western Capitals, there are no longer any BCHL teams still playing as part of the 2013-14 season.

In fact, the season came to an end yesterday as the Brooks Bandits knocked off Summerside 3-1 to claim the 2013 RBC Cup.

As I've done for all BCHL teams as they've been eliminated from post-season play, it's time to look at the Eagles roster and see who is eligible to return next season and who is moving on to college or as an overaged player.

It is expected that Surrey will send two players to the Vernon Vipers as part of the future considerations from the Adam Tambellini trade, but at this time, I don't know who those players are. As a result, I've included all eligible returning Eagles players on this list.

Graduating Players
Michael Stenerson (University of Vermont)
Michael Santaguida (University of Vermont)
Devon Toews (Quinnipiac University)
Adam Tambellini (University of North Dakota)
Craig Wyszomirski (Merrimack University)
Brady Shaw (overage)
Trevor Cameron (overage)
Troy Paterson (overage)

Eligible Returnees (Depth Chart - * indicates an open spot - assuming the team goes with 13 forwards and 7 defensemen)

Forwards
Nicolas Pierog (93)
Brett Mulcahy (93)
William Clark (93)
Colton Mackie (93)
Drew Best (94)
Joel Gaudet (94)
Stefan Burzan (94)
Kevan Kilistoff (95)
Demico Hannoun (95)
*
*
*
*

Defense
Ryan Fraser-Lee (93)
Dan O'Keefe (94)
Tommy Stipancik (94)
Jordan Klimek (95)
*
*
*

Goal
Glenn Ferguson (94)
*