BCHL Staff
The first step in identifying next year’s draft picks – the NHL Central Scouting Futures List – has identified 11 Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) players.
The Futures List consists of 148 North American players and 142 International players. There are two players from the B.C. Hockey League.
“The 2016 draft class lived up to all the hype regarding the exceptional talent available and the unpredictability of the order in which prospects would be taken,” said NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr.
“It’s anticipated that 2016-17 will again be a deep draft class for prospects, and there is a lot of depth at all positions.”
In 2015-16, the CJHL only had three players on the NHL Central Scouting Futures List.
Here’s a look at the CJHL prospects on the NHL Central Scouting Futures List:
n Ian Blacker, Oakville Blades, OJHL.
n Tyler Burnie, Wellington Dukes, OJHL.
n Nick Campoli, North York Rangers, OJHL.
n Alec Capstick, Langley Rivermen, BCHL.
n Jarrod Gourley, Brooks Bandits, AJHL.
n Cale Makar, Brooks Bandits, AJHL.
n Greg Meireles, Ottawa Senators, CCHL.
n Griffin Mendel, Penticton Vees, BCHL.
n Bryce Misley, Oakville Blades, OJHL.
n Ian Mitchell, Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL.
n Dylan Seitz, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, OJHL.
Meanwhile, after leading the Cowichan Valley Capitals back to the playoffs in his final BCHL season, Caps captain Adam Osczevski is blazing a trail to college.
Osczevski will suit up at the University of Alberta-Augustana this season and he’ll be the lone BCHL alum on the roster.
A native of Martensville, Sask., Osczevski posted career highs with 16 goals and 15 assists this past season. The 6-foot, 180-pound forward had a four-goal game on his record in 2015-16, notching the quartet in the second game of the season against Alberni Valley.
At Alberta-Augustana, Oscevski will join a Viking squad that competes in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association (ACAC). Other teams in the ACAC are Keyano College, SAIT, NAIT, Grant MacEwen University, Portage College, Briercrest, Red Deer College, and Concordia.
n The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), in partnership with Hockey Canada, has announced that Barry Wolff, head coach and general manager of the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express, will be the head coach of Canada West at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, scheduled to take place Dec. 11-17 in Bonnyville, Alta.
Wolff will be joined by assistant coaches Marc Berry (head coach and general manager, Dauphin Kings, Manitoba Junior Hockey League), Mike Reagan (head coach and general manager, Flin Flon Bombers, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) and Rick Swan (head coach and general manager, Bonnyville Pontiacs, Alberta Junior Hockey League).
“It is a great honor to be selected as the Head Coach of Team Canada West and I look forward to working with the elite level players and a great staff,” said Wolff. “I am excited for this opportunity to represent Canada again at the World Junior A Challenge.”
Wolff, 50, is making his third appearance with Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, having been an assistant coach in 2010 and 2015. This will be his first time as the head coach.
Wolff has been head coach and general manager of Coquitlam Express for the past three seasons, leading the team to the BCHL championship in 2014. He also won the BCHL championship with Surrey Eagles in 2005.
n The BCHL Cowichan Valley Capitals now have Ray Zhang as the new majority owner.
The deal was concluded just last week and the announcement promises exciting changes for the Caps.
“This transaction is the first time someone from China has purchased an overseas hockey franchise,” said Zhang. “It will open a door for hockey families in China to learn about Canadian hockey first hand. This link to Canadian hockey will prove valuable to encourage all of our young hockey players in China.”
Zhang’s stake in the BCHL is another indicator of the increasingly global nature of hockey.
“Ray is as passionate about hockey as anyone and he will be playing a leading role in the growth of hockey in China,” said BCHL commissioner John Grisdale. “We are pleased to have him join our league and take a place at the board of governors table. His input and insight from a new perspective will be extremely valuable.”
The Caps are coming off a season where they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in three years and the club is hoping this news will add energy to the program as it works back to being a power in the BCHL’s Island Division.
“Ray is looking forward to working with the local ownership and has ambitious visions for the team,” says Caps head coach Bob Beatty.
Zhang is from Beijing, China and his family will be relocating to Duncan.
