EXPRESS NOVEMBER REPORT

Hear from Jason Fortier, Captain Troy Robillard and forward Josh Wildauer on the Express recent play leading into a two game road trip this weekend.

Video produced by Eddie Gregory. 

MATTHEWS COMMITTS TO RIT

COQUITLAM, BC - Coquitlam Express are proud to announce that 1999 goaltender Kolby Matthews has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology for next season. Matthews, a Coquitlam native, has posted a .923 save percentage so far this season which ranks third in the BCHL among all eligible goaltenders and was the Express' player of the month for September.

"I'm very excited to commit to RIT for next year. I think this will be a really great fit for me, they have a great hockey culture with proven success and history as well as a strong academic program. I know this will be a big challenge for me but with that brings a big opportunity so I’m excited for this next step. Now I am able to focus on the rest of the year and bringing a championship back to my home town of Coquitlam." said Matthews.

"Kolby is a hard working and motivated individual. Since day one with the Express he has shown great character in the room and a strong work ethic on the ice. It is rewarding for coaches when you get to coach a player who is a great player plus a great person." said Coquitlam Express Head Coach and General Manager Jason Fortier. "His consistency, effort, daily habits and excellent play have earned him this opportunity. He is a player that fits the All Aboard vision." Added Fortier.

Matthews becomes the 9th player on the current Express roster to receive a NCAA scholarship and first committed this season.

The Express continue their 2018-19 campaign with a nooner versus the Langley Rivermen on Wednesday October 31 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. A win on Wednesday will give the Express sole possession of first place in the BCHL.

KIMENS COMMITTS TO MERRIMACK

The Coquitlam Express are proud to announce that 1999 forward Regan Kimens has been committed to Merrimack College for next season.

The Concord, Ontario native has 6 goals and 19 points through 19 games this season, the same amount of points he totaled in all of last year. His offensive consistency has really stood out with points in 15 of 19 games this season. And to be more specific he has points in 15 of his last 17 games and had a 13 game point streak recently snapped after tallying 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points.

"Just beyond excited to be a part of the future for this team. I can't thank the the coaching staff and the boys on the team enough for me getting here, I wouldn't have done it without them." said Kimens.

"Regan has been an excellent addition to the Express. He has earned the minutes he plays and is an honest player who works hard each game. Regan spent the summer training hard to become successful and when a player combines skill and effort he will always succeed." said Express Head Coach and General Manager Jason Fortier.

The is the second commitment to an NCAA school in as many days for the Express with today's news and the announcement of Kolby Matthews being committed to RIT yesterday. Kimens becomes the 10th player on the Express current roster to be committed to an NCAA school.

SCHULTING COMMITS TO UMASS LOWELL

Photo courtesy of Damon James

Coquitlam Express defenseman Jordan Schulting has committed to UMass Lowell.

The Penticton native is in his second season with the Express. He was acquired early last season in a trade from the Chilliwack Chiefs where he dressed for his first three BCHL games.

This season in 40 games he has 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points.  Schulting's 6 goals are tops among all Express blue liners. His 19 points only trail Troy Robillard among defensemen in that category. He's also added 6 power play assists which trails only Sam Kozlowski who has 7.

In 70 career games in an Express uniform Schulting has 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points.

Schulting his the fouth player for the Express roster to commit to a NCAA program this season. Sam Kozlowski secured his commitment to RIT last season.

Congratulations Jordan.

AMBROSIO COMMITTS TO LAKE SUPERIOR STATE

Alex Amborsio (#10) Commits to Lake Superior State.
Photo courtesy of Damon James.

Coquitlam Express captain Alex Ambrosio has committed to Lake Superior State.

Extremely honoured and excited to announce I have committed to play D1 hockey for Lake Superior State University this coming semester. A huge thank you goes out to all my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the Express organization who have all helped me along the way #Lakers

— Alex Ambrosio (@ambro_10) December 22, 2017

The commitment is effective immediately.

The 20 year old Burnaby native was in his third and final season in an Express uniform. Prior to the start of the season he was named captain for 2017-18.

This season he had 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 33 games. Those numbers were second highest on the Express as of the Christmas break. His 16 assists matches his career high in that category that he accumulated last year in 50 games. Ambrosio was also well on his way to surpass the 29 points he tallied in 2016-17.

In 134 career BCHL games, all with the Express he had 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points. He also had 1 assist in 4 playoff games in 2016.

During his time in an Express uniform, Amboriso left an indelible mark on and off the ice as a first class individual. That is the mark he will leave behind as he moves on to the next stage of his hockey career.

Lake Superior State plays in the WCHA conference. Previous Express alumni to commit to Lake Superior State include goaltender Gordy Defiel. And former captain Mitch Nardi.

The Express would like to congratulate Alex
on this opportunity. And thank you for everything you have given to this organization. The BCHL is about moving players on to the next level, this is a well deserved next step.

COLTURA COMMITS TO LAS VEGAS

Defenceman Nick Coltura (95) has committed to the University of Las Vegas for next season.

Happy to announce my commitment to @UNLVRebelHockey! I'm extremely excited to get things going #GoRebels

— colts95 (@nickcoltura) June 25, 2016

The Maple Ridge native played two seasons with the Express dressing in 65 games with 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points. He also played in all 4 playoff games in the 2016 playoffs. Injuries limited Coltura to just 24 games last season where he had 3 goals and 1 assists totaling 4 points.

UNLV is a Division II program as part of the ACHA and plays in the Mountain West Colligate Hockey League and played it's first season in that league in 2015-16 season.

With the addition of Coltura, last season's Express team has 10 players who have committed to college for next year or the fall of 2017.

Congratulations Nick. 

HOWAT COMMITTS TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Photo courtesy of Damon James

The Coquitlam Express are very proud to announce that goaltender Tyger Howat (95) has committed to Northern Michigan University for the fall of 2016.

The commitment allows the Brighton Michigan native to play college hockey in his home state. This season with the Express Howat posted a 9-12-1 record in 25 games with a 3.80 GAA and .909 save percentage. He also appeared in one playoff game. Howat also played in 13 games with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs during the 2013-14 season.

Photo courtesy of Damon James

"We're extremely proud of Tyger, and seeing him get this opportunity is a huge feather in Tyger's cap. He's faced a lot of adversity in his junior career and he just kept pushing forward every time there was a road block. His continued perseverence and ability to stay focused on his goals is all something we can learn from and something Tyger should be very proud of." Said Express Head Coach and GM Barry Wolff.

"I would like to thank the Express coaching staff, Barry Wolff, Rob Boyd and goalie coach Joey Ali for making my 20 year old year a memorable one. Getting an opportunity to return to play in the BCHL was everything I thought it would be. I am very thankful for the opportunity to continue my development which led to this Northern Michigan opportunity. I can not thank them enough. Said Tyger Howat.

Northern Michigan plays in the WCHA conference and are located in Marquette Michigan. 

EXPRESS ALUMS WIN NCAA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

It's NCAA playoff time and a number of Express alumni have gone head to head in their respective league playoffs.

And a number of them won their respective league championships.

HOCKEY EAST CHAMPIONS NORTHEASTERN:

Ryan Rosenthal's Northeastern Huskies are the Hockey East champions. In the hockey east semi finals they defeated Thatcher Demko and Boston College. Then defeated UMass-Lowell in the final.

Click here for the Northeastern game story. 

ECAC CHAMPIONS QUINNIPIAC:

Bo and Canon Pieper at Qunnipiac are ECAC champions. They defeated Express alums Alexander Kerfoot and Phil Zielonka and Harvard University for the title. Bo Pieper scored for Qunnipiac as they opened up a 3-0 lead Saturday. Click here for Qunnipiac game story Qunnipiac has had a fantastic season and will be the number one seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

WCHA CHAMPIONS FERRIS STATE:

The winning beat goes on for Corey Mackin, he along with another Express alum Simon Denis are the WCHA champions. Along the way they defeated Alex Petan's Michigan Tech Huskies in the semi finals. Then they defeated Cole Huggins and Minnesota State 2-1 to win the WCHA title.

Mackin this year was named the WCHA rookie of the year. As part of Minnesota State's runs to the WCHA final they defeated Gordie Defiel and Lake Superior State in the quarter final last weekend in a best of three. Lake Superior's lone win was a 2-0 shutout win where Defiel made 57 saves.

Click here for Ferris State game recap

Today was selection Sunday for the NCAA tournament which leads to the Frozen Four. Click here for the NCAA tournament matches

Quinnipiac will face RIT in one East Regional first round game. Ferris State will face St. Cloud State in the West Regional first round game. 

Northeastern will face North Dakota in one of the Midwest Regional first round games.

Harvard will play Boston College in one of the Northeast Regional first round games.

The Frozen Four will be held April 7-9 in Tampa Bay. 

UDAHL TO BU

Udahl commits to BU - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Forward Erik Udahl (96) has committed to Boston University. His commitment takes place immediately and he has moved on to BU to begin his NCAA career. The Terriers play in the Hockey East Conference.

The move allows the Warpole Massachusetts native to play his college hockey in his hometown.

Udahl had seven goals and four assists for eleven points in 33 games with the Express this season. Last season he had nine goals and ten assists for 19 points in 48 games with the Langley Rivermen.

In 81 career BCHL games over parts of the last two seasons with the Express and Rivermen, Udahl had 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points.

"We're extremely proud of Erik, his work ethic and desire to improve his game are two big reasons he's getting this opportunity. It's a tough time to lose a player to the next level, but this is why we're in junior hockey to help move players to the next level. This is a great opportunity for Erik to go to a great program and school close to home." - Express GM and Head Coach Barry Wolff.

"I would like to thank Head Coach Barry Wolff and the Coqutilam Express for a great first half of the season. I'm sad to be leaving, but playing for Boston U is my dream school and I'm very excited to face every challenge thrown at me. I wish the Express the best of luck for the rest of the season and I will miss everyone in the organization very deeply." - Erik Udahl.

The Express would like to thank Erik for his contributions to the team and best of luck at BU.

Click here for more insight why Udahl moved on to BU

SUROWIEC, BARROW AND MCILMURRAY SIGN NLI'S

For immediate release:

 The Coquitlam Express of the BCHL would like to congratulate players Jack Surowiec and Charlie Barrow both headed to Holy Cross and Austin McILMurray to Sacred Heart on officially signing their national letter of intent.

Surowiec, Barrrow and McILMurrary are all in their first seasons with the Express.

Surowiec (96), from Louisville Kentucky has two goals and six points in 21 games this season. He's been a valuable player for the Express in various roles this season. He's been a key penalty killer, won important defensive draws. And most recently he's centered the top line in the absence of captain Jackson Cressey.

Barrow (96), from Belmont Massachusetts has four goals and ten points in 21 games this season. Two of his four goals have been overtime winners this season. He's added an element of speed and puck moving ability for the Express from the blueline.

McILMurray (96), from Coral Springs Florida is third on the Express in scoring with eight goals and 19 points in 20 games. Two of his goals have been game winning goals. He's spent the entire season playing on the Express top line mostly with Colton Kerfoot and Jackson Cressey.

All 3 players will be going to school in the fall of 2016.

All well deserved and we are proud to have them as members of the Express Junior Hockey Team.

Any questions please contact Express Head Coach/General Manager Barry Wolff.

EXPRESS ALUMS ON TSN AND CANADIAN TV

TSN released it's schedule for it's coverage of NCAA hockey this season.

There's a number of Express alums involved in the broadcast schedule. 

See the full list involving Express alums here. 

Date	Teams	Express alums
Thursday, Nov. 12	Northeastern at Notre Dame	Rosenthal
Friday, Nov. 20	Denver at Wisconsin	Rockwood
Friday, Nov. 27	Northeastern vs. UMass Lowell (Belfast)	Rosenthal
Saturday, Dec. 12	Boston University at Quinnipiac	B., C. Pieper, Fritz
Saturday, Dec. 19	Michigan State at Northeastern	Rosenthal
Friday, Jan. 8	Alaska at Alabama-Huntsville	B. Morley
Saturday, Jan. 16	Wisconsin at Penn State	Rockwood
Monday, Feb. 1	Harvard vs. Boston College (Beanpot)	Kerfoot
Monday, Feb. 1	Northeastern vs. Boston University (Beanpot)	Rosenthal
Friday, Feb. 5	Lake Superior State at Michigan Tech	Petan
Saturday, Feb. 6	Connecticut at Merrimack	Biega, Hennig
Monday, Feb. 8	Beanpot Championship Game	TBD
Friday, Feb. 12	Northeastern at Massachusetts	Rosenthal
Friday, Mar. 4	Penn State at Wisconsin	Rockwood
Thursday, Nov. 12	Northeastern at Notre Dame	Rosenthal
Friday, Nov. 20	Denver at Wisconsin	Rockwood
Friday, Nov. 27	Brown vs. Colgate (Belfast)	Pryzbek
Friday, Nov. 27	Northeastern vs. UMass Lowell (Belfast)	Rosenthal
Saturday, Dec. 12	Boston University at Quinnipiac	B., C. Pieper, Fritz
Saturday, Dec. 19	Michigan State at Northeastern	Rosenthal
Friday, Jan. 8	Alaska at Alabama-Huntsville	B. Morley
Saturday, Jan. 16	Wisconsin at Penn State	Rockwood
Monday, Feb. 1	Harvard vs. Boston College (Beanpot)	Kerfoot
Monday, Feb. 1	Northeastern vs. Boston University (Beanpot)	Rosenthal
Friday, Feb. 5	Lake Superior State at Michigan Tech	Bird, Defiel, Petan
Saturday, Feb. 6	Connecticut at Merrimack	Biega, Hennig
Monday, Feb. 8	Beanpot Championship Game	TBD
Friday, Feb. 12	Northeastern at Massachusetts	Rosenthal
Friday, Mar. 4	Penn State at Wisconsin	Rockwood

Click here for the full Canadian NCAA TV schedule

Click here for the full release from the BCHL

BOYD TO CANISIUS

Photo courtesy of Garrett James Photography.

Coquitlam Express forward Cody Boyd has committed to Canisius University for the 2015-16 season. 

The Johnstown Pennsylvania native is in his second season with the Express. 

During his first season with the Express Boyd committed to Army for this season but had a change of heart and returned to the Express for his 20 year old season. 

In his first season with the Express he 4 goals and 18 points in 54 games. Then in the playoffs he raised his game another level using his tools at 6'3 195lbs to be a physical force during the Express run to their 2nd BCHL championship while chipping in with 3 goals and 9 points in 16 BCHL playoff games. He also added 1 goal in 5 games at the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup in Dauphin Manitoba.

Boyd would like to thank Coach Barry Wolff, the whole Express organization and his family for all their help in giving him a chance to play Division One College Hockey in the NCAA.

Coach Wolff on Boyd’s commitment: "We are extremely proud of Cody on his commitment and his achievement, his passion and determination for the game are second to none.
He will be a great addition for the Golden Griffins and wish both success!!" 

Canisius Golden Griffins play in Atlantic Hockey Conference and is located in Buffalo New York 

This season he has 1 goal 4 assists in 18 games. Boyd's value can't truly be measured in goals and points. It's the physical element he brings to the rink each night. It's that element of the game he feels is the true measuring stick of how he helps his teammates each night. 

Congratulations Cody.