Penticton, BC this weekend in bchl Players past and present will be celebrated, hosting a top prospects game, alumni games, and an all-star tournament.
Forty of the BCHL’s top NHL Draft-eligible players will showcase their talents in front of fans, pro scouts and NCAA coaches on Friday in a game featuring the league’s 2023 top prospects.
The game is a part of the BCHL’s 60th Anniversary All-Star Weekend.
A game of probabilities has split the players between Team East and Team West. The roster includes players selected to the All-Star Tournament and selections by NHL Central Scouting and BC-based NHL scouts.
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Team East consists of 20 players from the Interior Division. Six Penticton Weiss players were named to the roster, including the league’s top three scorers. Bradley Nadeau and Josh Nadeau, on 69 and 68 points respectively, and Iyer Suniev, who is not far behind with 56 points.
The West Kelowna Warriors will likely have two players to lace up their skates for the game: forward Jaden Moriello and goaltender Justin Katz.
Vernon Vipers would send left winger Reagan Milburn and defenseman Dylan Compton.
Three players from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks will also travel to Penticton, forwards Nathan Mackey and Owen Beckner, and goaltender Carter Richardson.
Team West will feature the BCHL’s fourth-leading scorer, Kai Daniels, as well as goaltender Oliver Auyoung-Ashton, who currently ranks 12th in the league for wins.
The team would also feature two skaters listed on October’s NHL Central Scouting Players to Watch list, forward AJ Lacroix and defenseman Hoyt Stanley.
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The game likely will also feature some NHL talent behind the bench.
Three-time Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith will man the team east bench with Penticton Weiss head coach Fred Harbinson.
Keith played two seasons for the Penticton Panthers from 1999 to 2001.
Team West will be coached by Nanaimo Clippers bench boss Colin Birks and 14-year NHL veteran Kyle Turris.
Before Turris was drafted third overall in 2007, he played two seasons with the Burnaby Express from 2005 to 2007.
As part of the 60th anniversary celebration, the BCHL is hosting an alumni and friends game on Saturday, January 21.
The game features Stanley Cup champions, players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and NHL legends.
Players include four-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Scott Niedermayer. Also in attendance will be 15-year NHL veteran Brenden Morrison, who played nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.
Letterkenny Actor Tyler Johnson and NHL veterans Kyle Turris, Geoff Courtnall and Gary Valk will also be in attendance.
The weekend festivities also include a skills competition and an all-star tournament on Saturday afternoon. A full list of details is available at BCHL’s Website and will be telecast on BCHL TV.
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