Photo Credit: Garrett James (left & right) Tami Quan (middle)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5th, 2019
WEST KELOWNA – The West Kelowna Warriors look forward to a youth movement going into the 2019 -2020 regular season. Last year, the Warriors finished with a disappointing first round exit at the hands of the Wenatchee Wild. The Warriors held on to a 3-2 series lead going back to the states but couldn’t cash on losing both games 6 and 7.
Like most clubs in the BCHL, key veterans move on to the next step playing NCAA Division 1 hockey. For the Warriors this includes 4 key forwards – Chase Dubois (Alaska Fairbanks), Mike Hardman (Boston College), Bennett Norlin and Willie Reim (United States Air Force). Warriors lost two of their top blue liners in Wyatt Head (Quinnipiac) and Lucas Bahn (Alabama-Huntsville). And finally after a stellar second half of the season goaltender Connor Hopkins heads to Yale University for the 2019-2020 season. With four key forward positions to fill, Head Coach and General Manager Brandon West looks to some key returning players and young studs to fill the void.
It all starts up front for the Warriors with Lucas Cullen and Parm Dhaliwal making their return. Both were named alternate Captains for the Warriors as West was more than impressed with their fitness level coming into camp. In fact, it was Cullen who came in winning the conditioning tests during training camp. It’s unlikely in the BCHL to have two returning top line player. Look for Dhaliwal and Cullen to lead the way up front for the Warriors.
#22 Parm Dhaliwal
- Entering 4th Season with Warriors
- 165 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 41 Goals, 92 Assists
- Hometown: Surrey B.C.
#27 Lucas Cullen
- Entering 3rd Season with Warriors
- 95 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 40 Goals, 38 Assists
- Hometown: Kelowna B.C.
Warriors will also be bringing back a trio of forwards from last season who are taking their next step in development. Forward Max Bulawka is entering his 3rd season with the Warriors and solidified himself as the number two centre aligning himself with some key wingers. During exhibition play, returning forward Brandon Dent is looking at taking the next step. It was clear from the start of the season that Dent’s size is not an issue with the second year forward. He dropped the gloves in the Warriors recent preseason game versus Trail. Dent alongside Bulawka is expected to produce on both sides of the puck on special teams while providing warriors with secondary scoring.
- Entering 3rd Season with Warriors
- 117 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 17 Goals, 36 Assists
- Hometown: Kelowna B.C.
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors
- 50 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 5 Goals
- Hometown: Prince George B.C.
Alongside these Warriors come another key returning forward in Mason Richey. Richey has been like a swiss army knife for the Warriors over the past couple seasons. It started back in 2017-18 when Richey was called up for three games playing defense. Warriors fans to this day still talk about how Richey was effective on the back even though he’s a natural forward. Richey saw time on almost every line last season filling in for injuries and making an impact no matter who he played with. During the preseason, Richey was playing on the right wing alongside Lucas Cullen and Parm Dhaliwal completing Warriors top line.
#12 Mason Richey
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors
- 59 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 5 Goals, 10 Assists
- Hometown: Terrace B.C.
The Warriors will also be looking at some new faces from South of the border. First up is Levi Stauber. Brandon West placed the Michigan Tech committed forward on a line with Brandon Dent and Max Bulawka during preseason play. It is expected that he will make an impact right away. He is actually one of two Minnesota natives on the Warriors roster. Last season, Stauber played 41 games with the Austin Bruins of the NAHL registering 12 points in 41 games played. Stauber is hoping the BCHL will help unveil his scoring touch.
#28 Levi Stauber
- Entering his 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: Austin Bruins(NAHL)
- College: Michigan Tech 2020-21
- Hometown: Hermantown, M.N.
The Warriors will also be bringing in a trio of forwards from the Greater Los Angeles area. Forwards Jacob Brockman, Drew Vieten and David Vieten all played together with the Los Angeles Jr Kings and know how important heading to the BCHL is in order to obtain a NCAA Division 1 scholarship. This isn’t new to the BCHL with clubs like the Wenatchee Wild of the BCHL committing players from California for some time.
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: LA Jr Kings
- Hometown: El Segundo, C.A.
#23 Drew Vieten
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: LA Jr Kings
- Hometown: Calabasas, C.A.
#12 David Vieten
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: LA Jr Kings
- Hometown: Calabasas, C.A.
The Warriors have also added forward Rob Christy. He comes from the high school hockey system in Minnesota where Christy was captained of St. Thomas Academy totalling 40 points in only 30 games played while earning himself a commitment from Colorado College for the 2020-21 season. Christy is hoping to suit up in Colorado College with his older brother Ray who spent last season with the Brooks Bandits.
#15 Rob Christy
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: St. Thomas Academy
- College: Colorado College 2020-21
- Hometown: St. Paul, M.N.
Warriors fans got a taste of what Ryan Upson could provide this season after a stellar exhibition campaign. It all started with Upson getting through the skin of Philadephia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes prospects Jay O’Brien and Cade Webber in Penticton. Then Upson showed his offensive skill scoring the lone Warriors goal in their final preseason last last Saturday night versus the Smoke Eaters. Upson appears to be another one of those utility type players who can be inserted on any line this season.
#8 Ryan Upson
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: West Van Academy (CSSHL)
- 2018-19: 9 Games played with Vernon Vipers
- Hometown: West Vancouver, B.C.
On top of the Warriors list of young offensive studs has to be John Evans. Evans dominated the CSSHL last season averaging over 2 points a game with the Wild. Evans was sought after by a handful of clubs but ultimately chose the Warriors because of Head Coach and General Manager Brandon West. “Brandon West was coaching in Surrey when I attended Eagles training camp last year so he got to know my game,” stated Evans. “When he was hired to coach West Kelowna it made sense for me to play for Coach West and the Warriors.”
“John is coming off another terrific season with the Delta Hockey Academy who have developed him on and off the ice”, stated General Manager and Head Coach Brandon West. “John is going to have a bright future here with us and we expect him to be a leader in the offence in due time.We feel that he is an elite 2002 who can make things happen on the ice and Warrior fans will be excited to watch him develop over the coming years.”
#19 John Evans
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: Delta Wild Academy (CSSHL)
- Played 8 Games with Surrey Eagles in 2018-19 scoring 1 goal
- Hometown: South Surrey, B.C.
A late addition up front for the Warriors is former Cariboo Cougars forward Brendan Pigeon. Pigeon, 18, played on a line with Mason Richey and Brandon Dent two years ago. Pigeon also played 5 games as an AP with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks registering a pair of assists.
#9 Brendan Pigeon
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Season: Cariboo Cougars (BCMML)
- Played 5 Games with Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2018-19
- Hometown: Williams Lake, B.C.
There was a special kind of buzz in the off-season after Jake Harrison was announced he would return to the Warriors for 2019-2020 and also Captain the West Kelowna Warriors. Harrison is the only remianing player from the 2016 RBC Cup Championship squad and hopes to lead his club to the promise land yet again. Last season Harrison elected to spend a year in the United States Hockey League(USHL) where he played for the Fargo Force. It was an experience Harrison believed made him a better player, but he’s ready to return to the Warriors for his final season before heading to Michigan to dawn the yellow and blue.
#3 Jake Harrison
- Entering 4th Season with Warriors
- Last Season: Fargo Force (USHL)
- 193 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 21 Goals, 74 Assists
- College: Michigan
- Hometown: West Kelowna, B.C.
Head Coach and Brandon West knew in order to have success this season having key veterans on the back end was important. It all starts with returning blue-liners Austin Chorney and Garrett Ewert. Chorney was acquired by the Warriors midway through last season in a trade for Matt Kowalski and made his presence known with his speed and physicality. During the preseason Chorney has provided leadership for the younger players and hopes 2019-2020 is his best season yet. Garrett Ewert is heading into his second and final season in the BCHL more focused than ever. This will also be Ewert’s final season with the Warriors who is looking to elevate his game in 2019-2020.
#17 Austin Chorney
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors
- 173 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 14 Goals, 30 Assists
- Hometown: Calgary, A.B.
#20 Garrett Ewert
- Entering 3rd Season with Warriors
- 105 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 2 Goals, 17 Assists
- Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.
Warriors made a pair of moves at the end of training camp. First was a trade for veteran Ryan Novecosky and then the Warriors picked up Spencer Hora. Novecosky came from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs where he had a solid rookie season and now looks forward to a new scenery in West Kelowna. In preseason play, Novecosky looked good alongside rookie Nick Ardanaz and is part of the veteran core on the back end. Spencer Hora is a former Warrior who has also spent time with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Cowichan Valley Capitals. Now, Hora is playing his final BCHL season at home and expects to provide the same physical presence he’s been accustomed to over the past couple seasons.
#2 Ryan Novecosky
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- 61 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 2 Goals, 9 Assists
- Hometown: Courtenay, B.C.
#5 Spencer Hora
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors (Played 14 Games back in 2017-18)
- 175 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 3 Goals, 34 Assists
- Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
Declan Douthart is returning for his second season with the Warriors. Douthart was on the outside looking in for most of last season as a healthy scratch playing only 42 games but after a solid off season Douthart came into training camp with a new swagger in his step. The Winnipeg, M.B. native is clearly stronger, faster, and much more confident with the puck and is expected to take the next step in his development this season.
#7 Declan Douthart
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors
- 43 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 1 Goal, 5 Assists
- Hometown: Winnipeg, M.B.
One of the more sought after young blue-liners in the BCHL this off-season was Nick Ardanaz. Like John Evans, Ardanaz also came from the Delta Wild Academy squad back in 2018-2019 where he led the Wild’s powerplay. Based on what we got to see in preseason there’s a good chance Nick Ardanaz is a power-play quarterback of the future for the Warriors who have a void in that spot after the departure of Wyatt Head and Anthony Bishop. Ardanaz is quick with his hands and doesn’t appear to have the IQ of a BCHL rookie after making nifty passes in the attacking zone throughout the preseason.
#11 Nick Ardanaz
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Year: Delta Wild Academy (CSSHL)
- Played 8 Games with the Vernon Vipers in 2018-19
- Hometown: Langley, B.C.
The Warriors were able to get some size while staying young in Skyler Cameron. Cameron, 17, had a cup of coffee with the Prince George Spruce Kings last season but was previously known for his time as the top defenseman with Burnaby Winter Club’s Prep team where Cameron was able to register almost a point a game. Cameron is also one of the taller Warriors standing at 6’3.
#4 Skyler Cameron
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Year: Burnaby Winter Club (CSSHL)
- Played 2 Games with the Prince George Spruce Kings in 2018-19
- Hometown: Las Vegas, N.V.
The toughest battle at training camp had to be between the pipes for the Warriors with all four net-minders remaining on the roster until the final preseason game. It was a tough choice for Head Coach and General Manager Brandon West, but after two stellar performances against the Trail Smoke Eaters it gave him the confidence he found his duo. First Brock Baier who was a favorite early on stopped 35 of 37 shots in the 3-1 loss to the Smoke Eaters last Saturday night. Then Johnny Derrick was able to stop 33 of 35 shots in hostile territory earning praise from even the Smoke Eaters fans inside Cominco Arena earning the second spot. Brock Baier is expected to get the nod on opening night but with the Warriors playing 3 games in 3 days, expect Derrick to get a start this weekend.
#30 Brock Baier
- Entering 2nd Season with Warriors
- 28 BCHL Games Played
- Career: 4.21 GAA, .893 Save %
- Hometown: Wallace, O.N.
#33 Johnny Derrick
- Entering 1st Season with Warriors
- Last Year: West Van Academy
- Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
