PERRY EXPRESS CAPTAIN FOR 10-11

COQUITLAM, B.C. – The Coquitlam Express begin their 2010-11 campaign with a new home at the Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex, a new Head Coach in Jon Calvano and new leadership on and off the ice as Calvano named his captains for the season.

Garrick Perry, an Apple Valley, Minnesota native, who returns to the Express for his third season was named Captain by the coaching staff. Perry led the team last season in goals with 29 and is eager to take on the role of captain.

“I’m very humbled to be given this opportunity and to represent the Express,” Perry said.
“This is a great organization that I have had the pleasure of being a part of the past two seasons and I also look forward to working with my teammates in bringing the Express back to the top of the BCHL.”

Calvano chose Perry based on his commitment to the Express over the last two seasons and his overall leadership to the team as a 20-year old.

“With this season being his final season of Junior Hockey eligibility, he has shown a tremendous work ethic on and off the ice and a personality that makes the other kids gravitate to him,” Calvano stated.

Fellow 20-year old B.C. natives Brad Reid and Riley McIntosh were named Assistant Captains and will wear the “A” on their Express sweaters this season. Massimo Lamacchia, a 19-year old Ontario native was also named an assistant captain.

EXPRESS TOP 10 COMING

This upcoming season will be number 10 for the Express in the BCHL. So as recognition of a decade in the BCHL, I will produce a series of features that will air on the broadcasts then get posted on the blog throughout the season of the top 10 moments in Express franchise history.

I have yet to completely figure out the order in which they will be unveiled, but you will certainly know as I get closer to finalizing every thing.

So stay tuned to the broadcasts and the blog in the days and weeks to come as this countdown gets rolling.

MCLELLAN TO FACE OLD TEAM FRIDAY

Tomorrow's pre-season finale just got a little more intriguing with former Express head coach Dave Mclellan being behind the bench helping SFU this season.

Here's the story from the Tri City News.

Dave McLellan has a new team and the first squad it will face, ironically, is his old one.

McLellan joined the Simon Fraser Clan men’s hockey program coaching staff for the upcoming B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season, it was announced Wednesday. First on the squad’s agenda is to square off tonight (Friday) in an exhibition game versus the Coquitlam Express. Puck drop at the Sports Centre is 7 p.m.

McLellan joins SFU following five seasons with the B.C. Hockey League’s Express, including the last three years as the team’s head coach. He was fired afte last season and replaced by Jon Calvano. The Jr. ‘A’ Express spent the past five seasons playing out of Burnaby before returning this season to their original home, Coquitlam.

His experience with the Express included a Royal Bank Cup national championship as an assistant coach in 2006 when current NHLer Kyle Turris of the Phoenix Coyotes helped lead the club to victory. At SFU, McLellan will work primarily with the team’s defencemen.

“Dave has a great deal of experience and success coaching at a high level of junior hockey,” said SFU general manager Jeff Dubois. “He’s familiar with a number of our players from his time with the Express and it’s going to be a tremendous benefit having him on board with our program this season.”

Tri-City players currently on the SFU team roster include defenceman Kyle Boyko of Anmore and forward Kyle Leung of Port Coquitlam.

Previously, McLellan spent 10 summers in Japan from 1999 through 2008 working in player development with the Nippon Paper Cranes, a professional team in the Asian league. He worked alongside former NHL coach Dave King during the decade he spent overseas.

“It was a really neat opportunity,” said McLellan, who also spent time with the Japanese national team. “To meet a guy [like Dave King] with that much experience and take over a program that was already entrenched, I learned a lot. From a technical level, it was great to learn how to work with a pro and he certainly gave some good guidance.”

CHIEFS DERAIL EXPRESS EARLY AND OFTEN

The Express saw their pre-season record fall to 3-2 after a 7-5 set back vs. the Langley Chiefs Thursday night.

It was a much different story 24 hours later for Robin Billingham and the Express.

After a 23 save on 24 shot performance in the 2nd half yesterday in Surrey, Thursday Billingham allowed 6 goals in the first period on 16 shots.

Langley's top line of Matt Ius, Josh Meyers and Brad McBride were dominant in the opening period. Ius opened the scoring just 6 seconds into the game. McBride had made it 2-0 by the time the game was just 34 seconds old.

Once the dust had settled after the opening period, the Chiefs took a 6-0 lead to the locker room.

Langley's top line of Ius, McBride and Meyers had combined for 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in the first period.

Robin Billingham's night was done after a 7th goal on the 25th shot sent his way at the 9:48 mark of the 2nd period.

Brad Reid scored the Express' lone goal in the 2nd period. The Express veteran had a chance for a second goal in the period but couldn't beat Wyatt Galley on a penalty shot.

Langley took their foot off the gas pedal in the third period resting their top line.

To the Express credit they didn't give up in the third period and battled back to make the final outcome more respectable.

Coquitlam scored 4 goals in the third period including Reid's second of the game. Destry Straight had a pair of goals and Paul De Jersey had the other Express marker.

Newly acquired Jared Eng made his Express exhibition debut and added a pair of assists.

Khaleed Devji was perfect stopping all 12 shots sent his way in 30:12 of action.

The shots finished even at 37 apiece. Coquitlam went 2/11 on the powerplay while Langley went 0/7.

The pre-season schedule wraps up Friday night at the Coquitlam Sports Centre vs. Simon Fraser University.

EXPRESS ACQUIRE ENG

The Express have added some help on the backend acquiring defenceman Jared Eng from the Victoria Grizzlies in exchange for future considerations.

This gives the Express another experienced defenceman. Something that was lacking when training camp opened.

Eng (92) is entering his second season in the BCHL. Last year in Victoria the North Vancouver native posted 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 48 games. Eng also played 1 game as an AP with the Express in the 08-09 season.

Personally, I like this move very much as the Express have picked up a player who can help the powerplay, move the puck and be a vital piece to the Express defence for years to come.

Coach Jon Calvano is very familiar with Jared as he played under coach Calvano with the Vancouver North West Giants (BCMML).

Click below to hear from Coach Jon Calvano and Jared Eng.

EXPRESS HOLD ON FOR WIN VS. SURREY

The Express bent, but didn't break in a 3-2 win over the Surrey Eagles.

Surrey outshot the Express 44-29 in the game, but it was the men between the pipes for the Express who stood tall.

Goaltenders Luke Hernandez and Robin Billingham had very strong outings splitting duties in the crease. Hernandez got the start and stopped 20 of 21 shots in 30:35 of action. Robin Billingham played the final 30:25 and stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced, including 16 of 17 pucks sent his way in the third period.

After a scoreless first period, Brad Reid and Konrad Sander scored goals just under 4 minutes apart to give the Express a 2-0 lead.

Surrey responded to pull even after Tyler Morley scored at 9:44 of the third period.

Destry Straight broke the dead lock with 4:41 to go and the Express held on the rest of the way.

The win improved the Express pre-season record to 3-1. They will play again Thursday night vs. the Langley Chiefs at the Burnaby Winter Club. The exhibition schedule will wrap up Friday night vs. SFU at the Coquitlam Sports Centre.

EXPRESS FALL IN LANGLEY

The Coquitlam Express suffered their first loss of the pre-season 6-4 Tuesday night to the Langley Chiefs.

Brad McBride led the Chiefs attack with 3 goals.

For the Express, Destry Straight and Jason Grecica each had 3 points.

The Express had a 2-1 second period lead until former Express Matt Ius scored 2 goals in 7 seconds which changed the whole complexion of the game and the Express were playing from behind for the rest of the night.

Nick Enegren came in midway through the second period and allowed 5 goals.

Langley outshot the Express 34-22.

The Express get right back on the horse Wednesday night in Surrey.

The Chiefs will pay the Express a visit Thursday night at the Burnaby Winter Club.