FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port Alberni – Following a very successful 4-day main camp, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs completed a slate of five telling preseason games against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, the Nanaimo Clippers, and the Victoria Grizzlies.
What began as a group of more than 80 camp participants had been narrowed to 30 players who continued to battle for roster spots over the exhibition campaign.
Bulldogs General Manager and Head Coach Kevin Willison was particularly pleased with the strong showing of a number of Alberni Valley Minor Hockey Association players, including Ethan Sundstrom, Josh Harvey, Jakob Bottaro, and Keagun Selva, as well as AVMHA graduates Dylan Haugen, Logan Savard, Ryan Buse, Chase Gaudreault, Marino Somerville and Bryce DiRocco.
“Our goal is always to provide opportunities for talented local players to showcase their skills and experience what it takes to compete at the Junior A level,” says Willison. “The local 1997-born players all showed great promise for the future.”
Willison and Assistant Coach/Assistant GM Adam Hayduk, as well as Scouting Director Rick Schievink, were thrilled with the overall level of talent on display since main camp opened on Monday, August 19th.
“For now and the future, the ability and depth of this year’s group was the best I’ve seen since I joined the Bulldogs organization in 2011,” says Hayduk. “We have high expectations as the defending Island Division champions, but it was also great to see a number of future Bulldogs perform at a high level.”
Following the five exhibition games, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce the following roster heading into the BCHL Showcase weekend:
#10, Josh Adkins, Forward, Victoria, BC
#28, Jordan Andrews, Defense, Delta, BC
#21, Mak Barden, Forward, Surrey, BC
#17, Zak Bowles, Forward , Calgary, BC
#23, Ryan Buse, Defense, Port Alberni, BC
#26, Rob Click, Defense, Stillwater, MN
#12, Luca Doctor, Defense, Toronto, ON
#16, Zach Funk, Forward, Nanaimo, BC
#9, Justin Georgeson, Forward, Maple Ridge, BC
#4, Kurt Gosselin, Defense, Brighton, MI
#2, Garrett Halls, Defense, Courtenay, BC
#7, Dylan Haugen, Forward, Port Alberni, BC
#11, Mitch Makin, Forward, Crowsnest Pass, AB
#14, Shane O’Brien, Forward, Thamesford, ON
#6, Riley Ostoforoff, Defense, Castlegar, BC
#30, Blake Pearson, Goalie, Sechelt, BC
#1, Brad Rebagliati, Goalie, Cranbrook, BC
#22, Kienan Scott, Forward, Penticton, BC
#24, Brett Stewart, Defense, Penticton, BC
#81, Hunter Stewart, Forward, Calgary, AB
#20, Tryg Strand, Forward, Invermere, BC
#27, Jared Wilson, Defense, Calgary, AB
A roster spot initially became available earlier in the week when Bulldogs affiliate from the 2012/13 season Stephen Ryan informed the team that his heart wasn’t in junior A hockey anymore and he wished to go back home and play junior B for the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
Ryan’s spot has been filled via a trade with the Toronto Junior A Canadiens in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. On Thursday, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs completed a deal to acquire the playing rights of 1994-born defenseman Luca Doctor in exchange for future considerations.
Doctor brings some size, leadership, and experience to the Bulldogs. In 2011/12, Doctor was the captain of the Toronto Red Wings Major Midget team and in 2012/13 played 46 regular season and 5 playoff games with the Toronto Junior A Canadiens. Doctor is a 6’2, 200lbs, puck moving defenseman that also likes to join the rush.
“Again, it’s that time of season when we try to fit all the pieces together and we feel he is one of the pieces that will make us a stronger team,” said Kevin Willison. “We hope to have all the paper work done in time for Doctor in the line-up for the BCHL Showcase.”
With the addition of Doctor, that leaves the Bulldogs with a 22-man roster of 11 forwards, 9 defense, and two goalies.
For up to date news and information on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, visit the team’s website at www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca. To learn more about season ticket packages for the 2013/14 season, call 250.723.4412.
