Trail Makes Trades With Prince George (BCHL), Whitecourt (AJHL) & Battlefords (SJHL):

 
The Trail Smoke Eaters, who finished last in the BCHL's Interior Conference last season, shuffled the deck in a big way today, trading four players from the 2011-12 squad.

We continue to discover even more of the future considerations from trades made during the 2011-12 season and another involves the Smokies and the AJHL's newest team - the Whitecourt Wolverines.

Although it may be strange to see futures owed to a team (Trail) by a team (Whitecourt) that wasn't playing junior 'A' last season, when the trade was made, the Wolverines were still known as the St. Albert Steel. It's the trade from December 6, 2011 which saw the Smoke Eaters acquire F Brendan Santini (93) for future considerations.

Here's how the trade breaks down now, knowing what the future considerations are:

To Trail:

F Brendan Santini (93)

To Whitecourt:

F Taylor House (92)

Trail Head Coach & GM Bill Birks also swung three other new trades as follows:

To Prince George:
F Adam Fares (93)

To Trail:
Future Considerations

To Whitecourt:
D Kyle Horsman (94)

To Trail:
Future Considerations

To Battlefords:
F Brandon Long (93)

To Trail:

Future Considerations

Here`s the official release from the Smoke Eaters website:

Smokies Make Four Deals

TRAIL -- The Trail Smoke Eaters are announcing the completion of transactions involving clubs in the BCHL, AJHL and SJHL.

The Smokies have dealt forward Taylor House (92) to the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.


This completes an earlier transaction.

House was acquired midway through the 2011-12 season in a five-player deal with Alberni Valley, he scored 4 goals and 14 points in 48 games with Trail.

Forward Kyle Horsman (94) has also been traded to Whitecourt for future considerations.

The Sechelt product scored 7 points in 40 games in his rookie BCHL campaign.

Forward Adam Fares (93) has been acquired by the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Fares appeared in only 15 games with the Smoke Eaters after being traded from Victoria, but scored 4 goals and 9 points in a Trail uniform.

In a separate transaction, Trail has traded forward Brandon Long (93) to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Battlefords North Stars for future considerations.

Long scored 8 goals and 21 points in his rookie BCHL season, appearing in 52 games with the Smoke Eaters.

"All three players were great kids for our hockey club," stated head coach/general manager Bill Birks. "At the same time our team gets a little bit older as we re-tool for next season."

The Smoke Eaters would like to thank Adam, Taylor, Kyle and Brandon for their contributions to the organization and wish them the best with their new teams.

Prince George-Canmore Trade:

In addition to the Cody Bardock to Victoria deal, Prince George also announced today the completion of another future considerations trade as G Ty Swabb (92) is heading back to the AJHL.

He's been moved to the Canmore Eagles as the futures in the trade that saw F Zack Rassell (92) join the Spruce Kings.

So, here's how this deal breaks down:

To Prince George:
F Zack Rassell (92)

To Canmore:
G Ty Swabb (92)

The Spruce Kings announced the completion of this deal at the same time as the Bardock-to-Victoria trade, but here's the release again for reference:

May 31, 2012 

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) would like to announce the completed trades of Cody Bardock and Ty Swabb as part of future considerations with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL and the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. 

Cody Bardock has been traded to the Victoria Grizzlies to complete the future considerations portion of the trade that saw Jarryd Ten Vaanholt acquired on January 10, 2012. 

Ty Swabb has been traded to the Canmore Eagles to complete the future considerations portion of the trade that saw Zack Rassell acquired on January 10, 2012. 

The Prince George Spruce Kings would like to wish both Cody and Ty all the best in their future hockey careers and thank them for their contributions while in Prince George. 

For more information contact the Spruce Kings office at 250.564.1747.

Victoria-Prince George Trade:

The bounty of future considerations continues to roll in for the Grizzlies after they cleaned house on January 10th as they've now acquired D Cody Bardock (93) from Prince George as the future considerations in the trade that sent F Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91) to Victoria.

With the earlier acquisition of Chad Bannor, Zach Urban and now Bardock, I'm thinking that the Grizzlies defense corps will be much stronger in 2012-13 than it was last season.

Here's how the deal ultimately breaks down:

To Victoria:
D Cody Bardock (93)
To Prince George:  
F Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (91)

Here's the official release from the Spruce Kings:

May 31, 2012

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) would like to announce the completed trades of Cody Bardock and Ty Swabb as part of future considerations with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL and the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Cody Bardock has been traded to the Victoria Grizzlies to complete the future considerations portion of the trade that saw Jarryd Ten Vaanholt acquired on January 10, 2012.

Ty Swabb has been traded to the Canmore Eagles to complete the future considerations portion of the trade that saw Zack Rassell acquired on January 10, 2012.

The Prince George Spruce Kings would like to wish both Cody and Ty all the best in their future hockey careers and thank them for their contributions while in Prince George.

For more information contact the Spruce Kings office at 250.564.1747.

Penticton-Victoria Trade:

After a bunch of speculation as to what the future considerations were heading back to Victoria in the F Wade Murphy (93) trade, we learned today the bounty that Penticton gives up in the January 10th deal. The players joining the Grizzlies -- D Chad Bannor (92), D Zach Urban (93), and F Curtis Loik (93) -- give them a lot more depth on the blue line and potentially, an explosive forward. 

In my mind, Loik is the real wild card in the trade as he seems poised to break out as a 19-year-old in 2012-13, but it won't be in the BCHL as he's committed to Penn. State for the upcoming season. I'm thinking the only way he goes to Victoria is at the recommendation of his college team, and that's got to be what the Grizzlies are banking on, otherwise he probably wouldn't have been included in the deal.

At the time, the trade was announced as Murphy to the Vees in exchange for F Mark McLellan and future considerations. Now we know that the deal breaks down like this:

To Penticton:
F Wade Murphy (93)
To Victoria:
F Mark McLellan (94)
F Curtis Loik (93)
D Chad Bannor (92)
D Zach Urban (93) Here's the release from Penticton's website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Thursday, May 31st 

VEES COMPLETE TRADE WITH GRIZZLIES 

PENTICTON, BC– The Penticton Vees Hockey Club have sent the playing rights of defensemen Zach Urban (93), Chad Bannor (92) and forward Curtis Loik (93) to the Victoria Grizzlies. The move completes the January 10th transaction that saw the Vees acquire forward Wade Murphy (92). 

 Urban, 18 appeared in 58 games for the Vees, collecting four goals and 22 points. Bannor just completed his second season with Vees, playing in 81 career games and recording four points. Loik, who is scheduled to join Penn State next fall, notched 63 career points in 109 games in a Vees sweater. 

The Penticton Vees organization thanks Zach, Chad and Curtis for their contributions to the hockey team and wish the three the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Penticton-Westside Trade:

With only seven players eligible to return for 2012-13, the RBC Cup champion Penticton Vees started to reload for next season with their first trade of the summer.

It's a little surprising, but the Westside Warriors swung a pretty big deal with the Vees, sending forward Travis Blanleil to Penticton for future considerations. The reason why I say it's surprising is that often teams don't like to trade within their division, knowing that the player they've dealt away could come back and burn them upwards of eight times during the season.

I like the deal for Penticton (depending on what the futures are, of course) because Blanleil has put up decent points in the BCHL as a 16-and-17 year old and could definitely be poised for a breakout year with the Vees as an  18-year-old.

To Penticton:

F Travis Blanleil (94)

To Westside:

Future Considerations

Here's the release from the Vees website:

The Penticton Vees Junior Hockey Club is pleased to announce the acquisition of forward Travis Blanleil (94) from the Westside Warriors for Future Considerations.

Blanleil, 18, has just completed his second season in the BCHL with the Warriors, registering 15 goals and 32 points in 57 games. The Kelowna native is a veteran forward, playing in over 100 games despite only turning 18 this past March. Blanleil entered the BCHL with the Warriors as a 16 year-old in the fall of 2009 after graduating from the Okanangan Rockets Major Midget program.

Vees Head Coach & GM, Fred Harbinson likes what Blanleil brings to the Vees; “Travis adds another veteran presence to our line-up and that’s crucial considering how many players we’re graduating to college.  He’s a speedy forward who has a nose for the net and poses an underrated skill-set.”

In 113 career games, Blanleil has fashioned together 24 goals and 57 points, accompanied by 92 penalty-minutes. Travis is the second Blanleil to play junior hockey, his older brother Chad split three seasons between the BCHL and AJHL.

Vees fans will get their first look at the newest Vee in August when the Vees hold their annual Junior Prep Camp, the precursor to training camp.

Here's the release from the Warriors website:

The Westside Warriors have traded the rights of forward Travis Blanleil (94) to the Penticton Vees for future considerations.

Blanleil just completed his second season with the Warriors registering 15 goals and 32 points in 57 games. The Kelowna native is a veteran forward with two years experience in the BCHL.

“Travis was a good player on and off the ice for 2 years with us.  We wish him nothing but success in all his future endeavours,” says Warriors Head Coach/GM Rylan Ferster.

In 113 career games, Blanleil tallied 24 goals and 57 points, and 92 penalty-minutes.  

Junior A Supplement Extended Two More Seasons, Stronger Penalties Coming:

In addition to the news that Vernon was awarded the host of the 2014 RBC Cup, another impacting development is the extension of the Junior A Supplement. 

It appears that in addition to the Supplement being extended, even stronger regulations are coming down the pike. Here's the portion of the release from Hockey Canada at the conclusion of its AGM this past weekend:

Developments at this year’s AGM included:
• the loyalty program/ Club Hockey Canada on schedule for a 2012-13 launch;
• continued progress and discussion on a renewed governance framework being developed for 2014;
• the Junior A pilot program for 2011-12 has been extended for two years for further research, with the immediate addition of stronger regulations to reduce fighting and on-ice violence;
• branch updates, constructive discussion and positive feedback on the implementation of the zero tolerance contact to the head rules in minor and female hockey across Canada in 2011-12;
• updates on Hockey Canada’s priorities: recruitment and retention, technology and e-learning.

As a refresher, back in August of 2010, the Canadian Junior Hockey League released this announcement regarding the supplement:

A group of five Member Leagues within the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) are proud to announce an unprecedented joint effort to eliminate violence and bullying from Junior A hockey. 

This initiative has developed from a partnership between the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), who have formed together to create the Junior A Supplement, which will be launched as a pilot project in the 2010-2011 CJHL Season.

The Junior A Supplement has been created to protect junior-aged hockey players by addressing actions such as Blows to the Head, Dangerous Hits, Accumulated Major Penalties, Accumulated Misconducts, Instigating and Unnecessary Fighting. The supplement increases team, coach and player accountability through the tracking of repeat offenders, increased suspensions and significant financial penalties. It builds on the progressive regulations undertaken over the past decade by the participating Leagues and Branches to reduce bullying and violence from Junior A Hockey in Canada. 

The pilot project was developed as a response to the implementation of Hockey Canada Regulation 6.7, which calls for an automatic game misconduct whenever a major penalty for fighting is assessed. The participating Member Leagues have gone one step further by targeting the types of dangerous plays that often result in fights and other types of violence. The Leagues within the pilot project will not be subject to Hockey Canada Regulation 6.7, which will be implemented across the remainder of the Leagues in CJHL.

"The five Member Leagues involved in the creation of the Junior A Supplement have taken a tremendous step in the effort to reduce and eliminate violence and bullying in Junior A hockey," said AJHL President Craig T. Cripps. "Our League and its teams, coaches and players are committed to providing a safe environment for every player while also maintaining an exciting, physical brand of hockey on the ice."

The Junior A Supplement has been developed in cooperation with the provincial branches of BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Hockey Manitoba, Hockey North, Hockey Nova Scotia, Hockey P.E.I. and Hockey New Brunswick. 

The two-year pilot project will compare data from the participating leagues using the Junior A Supplement and a control group using Hockey Canada Playing Rule 6.7. The data will determine whether fighting is reduced in the Junior A game by ejecting a player for his first fighting major and the effect on other aggressive and violent behaviour.

The CJHL called the supplement a success last year with this article, posted on its website in July 2011:

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) has declared the Junior A Supplement Pilot Project a success after in-depth review of the new initiative. In August 2010, a group of five member Leagues within the Canadian Junior Hockey League showcased an exceptional commitment to player safety with the announcement of a joint effort to eliminate violence and bullying from Junior A hockey. The League Presidents and Commissioners recently met in Calgary, Alberta to discuss potential revisions to the Junior A Supplement for the 2011-2012 season and further review the successful results of year one.

The Junior A Supplement is an unprecedented joint initiative between the CJHL and Hockey Canada. The Junior A Supplement was created to protect junior-aged hockey players by addressing actions such as blows to the head, dangerous hits, accumulated major penalties, instigators and unnecessary fighting.

"At the start of the 2010-2011 season we implemented an innovative, proactive and responsible approach to addressing player safety issues facing hockey today, including head shots and dangerous hits," said CJHL Chairman Kirk Lamb. "The CJHL and its leagues were ahead of the curve and we have since seen other leagues, such as the NHL and the CHL, follow suit in implementing more focused and rigid regulations relating to these issues. Player safety is a concern at all levels of hockey, for a variety of different reasons, and the CJHL broke new ground with the Junior A Supplement and has set new standards - not only in Junior A hockey, but for sport at all levels."

The fundamental themes surrounding the Junior A Supplement are safety, education and communication. The Junior A Supplement increases team, coach and player accountability through the tracking of repeat offenders, increased suspensions and significant financial penalties. The Junior A Supplement dramatically heightened the awareness of issues surrounding player safety and dangerous hits throughout the League, including the players, game officials, coaches, media and fans.

Publications regarding the new Junior A Supplement were strategically dispersed at the onset of the 2010-2011 season to ensure all participants were educated of the pilot project and to further increase the chances of success. Players and game officials received handbooks created specifically to address their participation in the project. All coaches were also required to sign a 'Coaches Code of Conduct' which outlines their responsibility to the initiative and a commitment to player safety.

The five leagues involved in the Junior A Supplement experienced several positive advancements throughout the first year of the pilot project. Leagues could now clearly identify trends and repeat offenders and can also confirm that only a small percentage of players are repeating what would be considered dangerous acts. The Junior A Supplement forced these players to alter their behavior in a positive way. Staged fights and multiple fight situations were all but eliminated, and players participating in six or more fights throughout the season declined substantially across all leagues.

Competitiveness within the League from top to bottom increased in 2010-2011, "The quality of play and skill exhibited within the MJHL this past season was the best the League has seen in the past ten years," stated Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Commissioner Kim Davis.

The participants within the Junior A Supplement include the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). The two-year pilot project will compare data from the participating leagues using the Junior A Supplement and a control group from the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) using Hockey Canada Playing Rule 6.7. The data will determine whether fighting is reduced in the Junior A game by ejecting a player for his first fighting major and the effect on other violent behavior.

Vernon Awarded 2014 RBC Cup Tournament:

For the fourth time ever, the RBC Cup National Junior 'A' championship tournament will be hosted by a BCHL franchise after Hockey Canada announced that Vernon was awarded the 2014 tournament at its AGM in Halifax this past weekend.

Nanaimo hosted in 1998, Prince George in 2007 and Victoria in 2009 and host BCHL teams have never won the championship. Vernon (then known as the Lakers) has hosted and won the Junior 'A' championship tournament before, in 1990 when it was called the Centennial Cup. 

Obviously this is a huge recruiting tool for the Vipers as any players committing to them, especially for the 2013-14 season, knows that they may have the chance to compete for a national championship. 

Vernon is the most successful team at the RBC Cup since it began in 1996, winning four out of 17 titles. 

Here's the media release from Hockey Canada, with the portion regarding the RBC in bold: 

HOCKEY CANADA'S 93RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING CONCLUDES IN HALIFAX, N.S.

HALIFAX, N.S. – Hockey Canada’s 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), attended by more than 250 delegates from across the country, wrapped up Sunday at the Westin Nova Scotian after three days of discussion about what will benefit the growth and development of Canada’s game.

Hockey Canada’s 2012 AGM brought together the governing body’s board of directors, officers, life members, partner organizations and representation from all 13 branches, as well as from councils that oversee female hockey, junior hockey, minor hockey, senior hockey and hockey development.

The board, as elected for the 2012-13 season, will be comprised of the 13 branch presidents, as well as:

Chairman: Michael J. Bruni, QC (Calgary, Alta.)

Executive vice-chair: Jim Hornell (Grand Falls, N.L.)

Officers:
Claude Allain (Gatineau, Que.)

Michael Brind’Amour (St-Charles-Borromée, Que.)

Joe Drago (Sudbury, Ont.)

Terry Ledingham (Bon Accord, Alta.)

Ed Pupich (Schumacher, Ont.).

Past chair: Ken Corbett (Winnipeg, Man.)

Directors:
Joanne Hughes, Female Council (Cole Harbour, N.S.)

Barry Reynard, Hockey Development Council (Dawson Creek, B.C.)

Karen Phibbs, Junior Council (London, Ont.)

John Clements, Minor Council (Burlington, Ont.)

Dean Filane-Figliomeni, Senior Council (Schreiber, Ont.)

Ron Robison, Canadian Hockey League (Calgary, Alta.)

Advisor: James Mays, referee-in-chief (Prince Albert, Sask.)

Appointees:

Caroline Ouellette, female athlete representative (Montreal, Que.)

Gord Sherven, male athlete representative (Weyburn, Sask.)

Jean Labonté, sledge hockey representative (Ottawa, Ont.)

The Hockey Canada AGM delegates also recognized and thanked departing branch presidents and board members Shannon Bell (BC Hockey), Tom Donovan (Hockey New Brunswick), Brian Franklin (Hockey Manitoba) and Gene Power (Hockey P.E.I.), as well as one member of the advisory council Murray Costello (international director/IIHF Council member),

Developments at this year’s AGM included:

• the loyalty program/ Club Hockey Canada on schedule for a 2012-13 launch;

• continued progress and discussion on a renewed governance framework being developed for 2014;

• the Junior A pilot program for 2011-12 has been extended for two years for further research, with the immediate addition of stronger regulations to reduce fighting and on-ice violence;

• branch updates, constructive discussion and positive feedback on the implementation of the zero tolerance contact to the head rules in minor and female hockey across Canada in 2011-12;

• updates on Hockey Canada’s priorities: recruitment and retention, technology and e-learning.

Host communities approved by Hockey Canada’s board of directors at the 2012 Hockey Canada AGM, subject to final agreements with host communities, were:

• 2014 Esso Cup – Stoney Creek/Hamilton, Ont.
• 2014 RBC Cup – Vernon, B.C.

Hockey Canada’s Annual General Meeting kicked off Thursday, May 24 and included a banquet on the evening of Friday, May 25 that honoured nine deserving award recipients who have all had a significant impact on the hockey community.

The 2013 Hockey Canada Annual General Meeting will be hosted in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca.