BCHL AGM RECAP

The British Columbia Hockey League held its annual general meeting in Richmond June 7, 8 and 9 with governors approving a number of changes that will take effect in the coming season.

First, the new BCHL playoff format was officially unveiled. The league goes to a three-division alignment for the 2012-13 season. In the Coastal Conference, which is now made up of the Island Division and Mainland Division, the top four of the five teams in each division will qualify for post-season play (#1 vs. #4, #2 vs. #3). Best-of-five series will be played in each the first two rounds to determine conference finalists and the Coastal Conference final will be a best-of-seven.

In the Interior Conference, which consists of the six-team Interior Division, the top four teams will qualify for post-season play (#1 vs. #4, #2 vs. #3). Two rounds, each a best-of-seven, will be played to determine a conference champion. The Fred Page Cup finals will also be a best-of-seven series.

Alterations to the BCHL regulations were approved with significant changes being that the affiliate draft of 15-year-old players is discontinued, that rosters will now consist of 22 players instead of 21, that coaches are allowed to place an injured player on long-term injured reserve which would free up a spot on the 22-man roster and that penalties are now possible for players with damaged pants.

The Junior A Supplement initiative, begun in the 2010-11 season to curb fighting and checking-from-behind infractions, was also extended for two more seasons. Finally, a sub-committee made up of BCHL coaches was officially approved. This body, which brings concerns from among the league’s coaching ranks to the board of directors, is co-chaired by Mike Vandekamp of Nanaimo and Jason Williamson of Vernon.

JONES SIGNS 4 YEAR DEAL WITH AVALANCHE

 Former Express Captain David Jones has signed a new 4 year 16 million dollar contract with the Colorado Avalanche. Jones played with the Express for their first 3 seasons in the BCHL from 2001-04. He was drafted directly from the Express by the Avalanche in the 9th round 288th overall in 2003.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has signed forward David Jones to a four-year contract through the 2015-16 season.

Jones reached the 20-goal mark for the second straight year in 2011-12, finishing with 20 goals, 17 assists and 37 points in 72 games. He shared the team lead with five game-winning goals, while his 20 goals overall ranked third on the squad. The Guelph, Ontario native tied for fourth on the club in points.

“David has been one of our top offensive players over the past two seasons,” said Avalanche General Manager/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. “He is a product of our organization who has developed into a proven goal scorer. We are pleased to have him under contract as he enters the prime of his career.” Jones, 27, scored two overtime goals this past season, giving him five in his career (third-most in franchise history). In fact, all five of his OT winners have come since Jan. 1, 2011, tied with Steven Stamkos for the highest total of any NHL player during that time span. Jones’ three OT markers in 2010-11 established a single-season team record.

Selected by Colorado in the ninth round (288th overall) of the 2003 Entry Draft, Jones became the lowest Avalanche/Nordiques draft choice to ever make it to the NHL when he made his debut in 2007-08. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right wing has appeared in 239 career games, tallying 67 goals and 50 assists for 117 points. Jones tied for the club lead with 27 goals in 2010-11.

EXPRESS RECORD BOOK COMPLETE

It was a lengthy project and worth the effort, here is the first ever edition of the Coquitlam Express record book.

It's a detailed history of the Coquitlam/Burnaby Express in the BCHL. With the stats from every season and a record of every game the club ever played vs. every team.

It has full head to head records vs. every team the Express have ever played. All the team franchise records and so much more.

It will be a valuable resource for the broadcasters in the BCHL. And I will send out copies at a later date. Plus it will also be available at any time in the Coquitlam Expressions blog in the links section on the right side of the page.

Take a look and let me know what you think by clicking on the link below.

Click here to view record book

TURRIS OT HERO FOR SENS

Kyle Turris provided some overtime magic for the Ottawa Senators with a rocket of a shot over the glove of Henrik Lundqvist to tie the series between the Sens and Rangers at 2 games apiece.



Great shot, but not quite as good as the rocket I saw him let fly in overtime game 1 of the Coastal Conference Semi Finals vs. Nanaimo, but it was close.

FINAL NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKINGS

Today NHL Central Scouting released it's final ranking of players eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft coming up on June 22nd and 23rd in Pittsburgh.

Express forward Alex Kerfoot was among 7 BCHL players listed among North American skaters. His draft ranking took a significant drop from his mid-term ranking of 81st to finishing at 165th.

Prince George Spruce Kings forward Jujhar Khaira was the highest ranking BCHL player ranked at 74th moving up 6 spots from his mid-term ranking.

Other BCHL players listed were Merritt defenceman Reece Wilcox who moved up 20 spots to 90th, Salmon Arm forward Morgan Zulinick is ranked 126th, Penticton forward Wade Murphy 142nd, Prince George forward, BCHL scoring champion and former Express Paul De Jersey's strong season saw him shoot up the rankings going from 203rd at the mid-term rankings to a final finish of 98th.

Powell River Kings goaltender Sean Maguire was ranked 28th among the top 35 North American goaltenders.

STRAIGHT WINS NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP

Express alumni Destry Straight and the rest of his Boston College teammates are 2012 NCAA champions after defeating another Express alumni Simon Denis and his Ferris State squad 4-1 in the Frozen Four final Saturday night.

Here's the full recap from the Associated Press.

TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Whitney scored twice and Boston College beat Ferris State 4-1 on Saturday night for its fifth NCAA hockey title and third in five seasons.

“You can’t buy one of these championships,” Eagles coach Jerry York said. “You have to earn them. And this team definitely earned it.”

Boston College (33-10-1) finished with a 19-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents 77-21 during that span. Ferris State (26-12-5) was making its first Frozen Four appearance.

Eagles goalie Parker Milner, selected the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player, made 27 of his 33 saves in the final two periods.

“It’s hard to put it into words because everyone did their part and we came together as a team,” Milner said. “You don’t do this without contributions from everyone and that’s what we got.”

Paul Carey broke a tie with a power-play goal midway through the first period, redirecting Brian Dumoulin’s blast from left point to make it 2-1.

Johnny Gaudreau also scored for Boston College.

“We knew Ferris State was going to be outstanding,” York said. “They might not have the name recognition, but we knew how good they were. We stayed patient through the first two periods. Parker was extremely strong in net. You can’t be measured until you win that last trophy. Now this team can take its place among the other championship teams.”

Garrett Thompson scored for Ferris State.

Whitney opened the scoring at 3:18 of the first period, stealing a pass and beating lunging goalie Taylor Nelson. Thompson tied it at 5:19, and Carey put the Eagles in front at 10:33.

Gaudreau weaved through the Ferris State defense to make it 3-1 with 3:02 left in the game. He carried over the blue line with two defenders between him and the net. The freshman star went around one defenseman, faked forehand on the other blueliner, then went to his backhand and flicked a shot from the edge of the right circle. It got past Nelson to the far post.

“That was a big-time goal by a big-time player,” York said.

Whitney added an empty-net goal with 1:03 to go.

Boston College also won national championships in 1949, 2001, 2008 and 2010. The Eagles are the first program to win three titles in five years since Denver accomplished the feat with wins in 1958, 1960 and 1961.

“You can’t say enough about what Boston College has accomplished,” Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. “I think that’s a very special program. It’s going to be hard to duplicate.”

Daniels said he felt Ferris State represented itself well.

“I felt very comfortable coming out of the second period, but they just had too much,” Daniels said. “I have zero regrets about this. We did the best we could. I have zero regrets about how they played and how they performed.”

RECRUITING PROCESS UNDERWAY

The games on the ice may be done for the Coquitlam Express for the 11-12 season, but that doesn't mean that the works stops for a break in preparation for the 12-13 season.

The Coquitlam Express have landed a top recruit to start loading up for next season.

18 year old defenceman Callum Hofford has committed to join the Express next season.

He was a highly sought after defenceman by various BCHL clubs and the Express were able to bring him into the fold.

Speaking with Head Coach Jon Calvano today, he describes him as the top defenceman available and is the Alex Kerfoot of defenceman. He has the skill set that could help fill the void of graduating defenceman Clinton Atkinson.

Coach Calvano and Hofford do have a lenghty connection with Jon having known Callum since he was 10 years old.

Hofford comes to the Express with impressive credentials with a commitment to Northern Michigan University for the 13-14 season. He played for the Hill Academy Varsity team last season where he put up 21 goals and 65 points in 62 games.

There will be some comfort for Callum when he comes to Coquitlam for next season with numerous family members living in the Lower Mainland area.

Welcome to the Express Callum, we look forward to seeing you play next season.