Barclay Traded

(Barclay and Dyck)

In a move that became almost obvious after Trail acquired Devon Murtagh from Westside, the Smokies have dealt goaltender Paul Barclay to Surrey for forward Darnell Dyck. Both Barclay and Murtagh will take up 20 year old spots next season while Dyck is a 1991 born forward. While Dyck only had 11 points in 53 games as a rookie, he showed his scoring touch with 41 points in 40 games for Fraser Valley in Major Midget as a 16 year old. He's also listed at 6'2 and 180lbs. Good luck to Barclay who gets to return close to home. I'll have more on this deal later as I'm pressed for time.

Warriors Announce Trade with Smokies

The Westside Warriors have announced that they've traded goaltender Devon Murtagh to Trail for future considerations:

The Westside Warriors continue to make off season moves, trading 20 year goaltender Devon Murtagh to the Trail Smoke Eaters for future considerations. Murtagh, a Kelowna resident, played in 13 games, recording 8 wins, 2.80 goals against and save percentage of 0.894.

"Devon is a great teammate, works very hard and as a 20 year deserves a chance to play. With Kevin Jebson retuning we felt it was important to trade Devon before the start of the season. The entire organization thanks Devon for his contribution and commitment and wish him the very best in Trail,” stated GM Gary Gelinas.

That again is from Westside's website. There's no official word from the Smoke Eaters on this deal. I expect to talk to Jim Ingram about it later this afternoon. Murtagh is another former Nelson Leafs goaltender along with new recruit Garrett Beckwith and former Smokie Grant Rollheiser. Obviously the Smokies have a lot of confidence in the way they develop goalies in Nelson!

Merritt Sale Application Being Considered

Just finished a long and informative interview with BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale. I still had ten questions I could have asked but it was already over half an hour. I'll be airing a portion of it tonight on Mountain FM's Overtime where we'll discuss the USHL raid of BCHL rosters this summer. However, at the end of our interview he mentioned the league is currently considering an application to buy the Merritt Centennials. Grisdale told me the sale would move the Cents from being a society into private ownership.

On May 12th Brian over at the Making Cents blog posted about how Brent Stark may be looking to buy the Merritt franchise. Stark owns the Whitecourt Wolverines Junior B team in Alberta. That's the team new Merritt Coach Joey Bouchard worked for before coming to the Cents. While Grisdale didn't say that Stark was the one making the application to buy the Cents it seems pretty obvious.

It sounds like great news for Merritt. It appears Stark and company are ready and willing to invest in making the franchise work there. Grisdale says this is the best condition he's seen the Merritt franchise in since he started working for the BCHL. However, this is also probably their last chance. If they can't make it work in Merritt with private ownership now in place then their new ownership likely wouldn't hesitate to move. Moving from a society to private ownership makes some things easier but it also means the commitment to the community basically depends on one man.

I'll keep my eyes on this one and I'm sure Brian will have all the news as it happens. I'm hoping this is a good development. Just think it was only a few months ago we thought the Cents were done in Merritt. They've come a long way from rumours the team would be headed for Kamloops or worse. Stark, Bouchard and company sure seem to be giving Merritt a second life.

Schedule Released, Raley Gone

The BCHL schedule is available here. As I said before it is going to be a busy fall for the Smokies bus driver. 2/3 of the road schedule will be done before we hit December. That's not as balanced as anyone would like, but I can see the positives.

Since the Smokies do have to deal with more travel than most teams it'll be good to get it over with early. With fresh legs and new enthusiasm perhaps the road grind won't be as tough as it might have been in January or February after months of hockey. It will also mean they are more likely to battle injury troubles at the start of the season as opposed to the end. The road trips in December/January/February in the past two seasons seemed to contribute to having an injury riddled squad come playoff time and two extended losing streaks. Maybe by being at home more often in that period they can be healthier when it really matters.

As for the financial aspect, isn't it better to have more hockey games at home during the winter months than during the summer? That's something Trail Times Sports Editor Guy Bertrand brought up to me on Overtime last week. Early in the season it's still warm outside and tougher to get people into a hockey rink. More games the later months of the season could make it easier to attract fans and build momentum. That is if the team is able to survive the early road schedule with a reasonable record!

What do you think?

The regular season starts where it ended last season... in Merritt. I'm glad to see some new enthusiasm and passion among Cents fans. The last time we were there I thought it might be for the last time. What better way for them to start fresh than against the team some thought might be their last opponent? The first home game will be against Montrose's Jones twins and the defending RBC Cup champion Vernon Vipers.

I can't wait.

RALEY TO THE USHL

As you may have heard elsewhere at the VDHF blog or the BCHL message board, Patrick Raley is also leaving the Trail Smoke Eaters for the USHL. Raley informed me of his decision on Friday and I have to admit I kind of held off discussing it for a few days because Danny DeKeyser's defection was still fresh. Raley is a terrific young man who is from Chicago and will be playing for his home team in the USHL. He informed me that he's very thankful for the opportunities he was given in Trail and the terrific treatment he got from Coach Jim Ingram to his billets and the fans. It's just hard for a Chicago boy to say no to a chance to play at home in a league that scouts consider as good or better than the BCHL.

You can check out the Chicago roster here.

Raley came to Trail from Vernon for future considerations at the 2008 trade deadline. He was good for the Smokies down the stretch, but he made a much bigger contribution last season. Raley came into camp in much better shape. He was stronger, faster and much improved by the time the 2008-09 season came to a close. I would say both Raley and DeKeyser can point to their time in Trail as significant steps in their hockey careers. They worked hard to improve while here and obviously the coaching staff played a big part in that as well.

With word that Sahir Gill may leave the Vipers for Chicago and a number of other players could be defecting from the BCHL to the USHL... this is turning into a significant issue for our league. I'm planning to have a chat with Commissioner John Grisdale today or tomorrow to see where the BCHL stands on what has been happening this off season. Given the fact that USHL players are still NCAA eligible and they are much closer to NCAA schools they are a significant threat to the BCHL's talent pool. Especially if they decide to expand the number of imports on their rosters.

I certainly wish DeKeyser and Raley all the best. This just may force the Smokies to look into making a move or two for veterans before the season or early in the fall. It'll also put some more work on the shoulders of returning defencemen Graeme Strukoff and Steve Koshey. Thank goodness there are quite a few quality young defenceman coming to camp. We'll have more details on those guys in the coming weeks and months. There's still lots of reason for optimism.

Kootenay Major Midget Ice Survive

A news release from the Major Midget Kootenay Ice announced today that the team will continue on for the 2009-10 season. Even in their own press release the Ice admitted the upcoming season was in doubt. It's tough to make this program work in a sparsely populated and geographically large region. We're not talking about a bunch of Vancouver kids driving to practice with their parents. Since the ice are based in the West Kootenay any players from the East Kootenay end up having to billet for the season. We also have a lot of popular KIJHL teams and lower tier midget teams for them to compete for players with. The deck is stacked against having a winning team.

That being said, the main reason to continue on with the program is so our region's players can develop against the top talent in the province. We've seen some terrific players come out of the Major Midget program over its' brief existence. The 06-07 team included current Smokies Justin Brown and Steve Koshey, Williams Lake forward Anthony DeLong, Logan Proulx of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings and several players who have played at least in the KIJHL. The 07-08 team included current Smokies Travis St. Denis and Sam Mellor, new Vee Isaac MacLeod, DeLong again and several players who moved on to the KIJHL. For a team with so few wins that's a pretty decent success rate. Former Ice Head Coach Jake Postnikoff deserves a lot of credit for working hard with what he had and helping those players along.

Now the Ice are turning their team over to Nelson's Brent Petrick. He has several years of Rep level coaching experience and took the West Kootenay Female Midget AAA team to a Provincial Championship in 2007.

Good luck to Brent. I hope he can continue to produce some great talent for the future of our local teams. Anyone interested in their camp can register by getting the form off the Major Midget website.

2008-09 Smokies Alumni Update (Rollheiser and Limbert Audio)

(Rollheiser with BU)

It was quite a season for Smoke Eaters alumni throughout the hockey world. Brett Skinner made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders, Wade Dubielewicz and Steve McCarthy tried out the new KHL, Jess Newman was in some early Hobey Baker award discussions, Scott Jago, Miles Houston and Brock Monroe won the KIJHL championship with Nelson, Cam Brodie won the Royal Bank Cup with Vernon, Lucas Bloodoff won the WHL championship with Kelowna and Grant Rollheiser won the NCAA championship with BU. That's just the tip of the iceberg.After Rollheiser and company won the NCAA's top prize I had the chance to chat with him on Mountain FM's Overtime.

Grant Rollheiser on BU's Championship

Click here to download

Meanwhile, former Smokies Captain and Fruitvale native Kevin Limbert played a big part in Yale's most successful season in years. I chatted with Kevin on Overtime about his first season away from home.

Kevin Limbert on his first NCAA season at Yale

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Kevin and Grant are just two of the success stories this organization has produced. Hopefully all those who leave the Smokies organization this year will find what they're looking for from their post BCHL life. I'll do my best to keep tabs on them next season as well. Here's a final look at the Smokies alumni for the 08-09 season:

• F Shawn Horcoff - NHL - Edmonton Oilers (80GP: 17G, 36A) (Legends of Hockey Profile)
• G Wade Dubielewicz - NHL - Columbus Blue Jackets (3GP: 1-2-0, 3.56GAA, 0.870%) *started the season in the KHL*
• D Brett Skinner - AHL - Chicago Wolves (61GP: 4G, 31A) (AHL Profile) *played 11 games with the New York Islanders traded to Atlanta*
• D Steve McCarthy - KHL - Ufa Salavat Yulayev (18GP: 0G, 0A) (Russian Link)
• D Travis Gawryletz - ECHL - Elmira Jackals (56GP: 2G, 14A) (ECHL Profile)
• F Mick Lawrence - ECHL - Las Vegas Wranglers (38GP: 16G, 18A) (ECHL Profile)
• D Justin Coutu - ECHL - Trenton Devils (62GP: 2G, 11A) (ECHL Profile)
• F Cam Keith - ECHL - Alaska Aces (72GP: 20G, 46A)
• F Lucas Burnett - EIHL - Manchester Phoenix (56GP: 17G, 27A) (EIHL Profile)
• F Chris Shudo - CHL - Wichita Thunder (42GP: 9G, 5A) (CHL Profile)
• G Grant Rollheiser - NCAA - Boston University (12GP: 6-4-1, 2.13GAA, 0.897%)
• G Devan Hartigan - NCAA - Northern Michigan Wildcats (6GP: 1-3-2, 2.48GAA, 0.903%)
• G Louis Menard - NCAA - R.I.T. Tigers (19GP: 10-7-2, 3.23GAA, 0.885%)
• F David Arduin - NCAA - Qunnipiac Bobcats (8GP: 1G, 0A)
• D Scott Warner - NCAA - Army Black Knights (24GP: 6G, 3A)
• D Pat Copeland - NCAA - Army Black Knights (25GP: 0G, 1A)
• F Kevin Limbert - NCAA - Yale Bulldogs (34GP: 7G, 8A)
• F August Aiken - NCAA - Alaska Anchorage (19GP: 2G, 0A)
• F Matt Turner - NCAA - U Conn Huskies (19GP: 1G, 4A)
• F Jesse Newman - NCAA - R.I.T. Tigers (37GP: 9G, 20A)
• F Justin St. Louis - NCAA - Michigan Tech (21GP: 1G, 0A)
• F Daniel Quilico - NCAA - Colorado College (4GP: 0G, 0A)
• D Jordan Collins - NCAA - Western Michigan University (41GP: 1G, 4A)
• F Jason Shaffer - NCAA - Union College (23GP: 1G, 1A)
• F Stefan Decosse - NCAA - Geneseo Knights (22GP: 4G, 8A)
• F Casey Shade - NCAA - Wentworth Leopards (27GP: 11G, 27A)
• G Cole Anderson - NCAA - Amherst College (15GP: 10-4-1, 1.51GAA, 0.954% )
• F Joel Barrett - ACAC - SAIT Trojans (23GP: 11G, 4A)
• F Brad Davis - BCHL - Langley Chiefs (41GP: 1G, 7A)
• F Chad Gehon - BCHL - Westside Warriors (51GP: 21G, 39A)
• F Andrew Pickering - BCHL - Prince George Spruce Kings (57GP: 19G, 26A)
• D Jimmy Geerin - BCHL - Penticton Vees (AP) (36GP: 5G, 11A)
• D Cameron Brodie - BCHL - Vernon Vipers (60GP: 6G, 18A)
• F Dylan Herold - BCHL - Burnaby Express (55GP: 14G, 18A)
• D Nathan Westover - BCHL - Burnaby Express (55GP: 8G, 17A)
• F Brian Kang - BCHL - Alberni Valley Bulldogs (56GP: 11G, 13A)
• F Chris Santiago - BCHL - Surrey Eagles (52GP: 16G, 33A)
• D Skyler Smutek - AJHL - Drayton Valley Thunder (37GP: 3G, 9A)
• F Lucas Bloodoff - WHL - Kelowna Rockets (69GP: 20G, 18A)
• F Steve Ourosov - WHL - Red Deer Rebels (29GP: 4G, 0A)
• F Logan Proulx - WHL - Edmonton Oil Kings (58GP: 4G, 5A)
• D Ryan Hill - USHL - Sioux Falls (51GP: 0G, 6A)
• D Braden Kinnebrew - NAHL - Wichita Falls (35GP: 3G, 7A)
• F Scott Jago - KIJHL - Nelson Leafs (42GP: 17G, 20A)
• F Miles Houston - KIJHL - Nelson Leafs (44GP: 28G, 46A)
• F Brock Monroe - KIJHL - Nelson Leafs (50GP: 30G, 40A)
• F James Kellington - VIJHL - Peninsula Panthers (28GP: 15G, 17A)
  

Mellor to Trail

Smokies Coach and General Manager Jim Ingram announced the addition of 1992 born forward Sam Mellor to next season's roster. Here's Ingram discussing Mellor on Mountain FM's Overtime:

Jim Ingram on Mellor

Click here to download

Mellor is a nice catch for the Smokies as his play last season and at a U17 impressed Alaska-Anchorage enough that they committed to him for the 2011-2012 season. He scored 40 points in 51 games as a 16 year old rookie in the KIJHL. Howver, as Ingram said he put up a lot of those points later in the year. Mellor scored 19 points in his final 20 regular season games and had 8 points in 10 playoff games. Ingram was especially impressed with the way the young player handled himself when the games got tougher come playoff time.

Mellor didn't just put up points on a bunch of assists. 19 of his 40 points were goals. He also put up points as a member of the Major Midget Kootenay Ice in his 15 year old season. Mellor was the team's second leading scorer with 28 points in 38 games on a team that struggled badly. He has a nose for the net and Ingram says he's also a determined two-way player who loves to battle for pucks.

Mellor joins fellow Kimberley Dynamiter Matt Wilkins in making the jump to the Smokies. Trail also added Kimberley native Scott Jacklin at last season's trade deadline. It seems like the Smokies are trying the make an obvious connected to talented East Kootenay players. Why not build a base there as Trail is easily the closest BCHL franchise to that region. Mellor went to some other spring camps but told me the additions of Wilkins and Jacklin made him more comfortable in chosing Trail because he knows those guys and knows they're talented players.

Mellor will join me tonight for his first interview as a Smoke Eater on Mountain FM's Overtime. Tune in between 6pm and 10pm at 104.1 FM in Trail.