The Official Magazine of the British Columbia Hockey League
canadian interuniversity sport A alumni can make a big impact in the CIS. A
Ruel was a four-year member of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs who totalled 236 points in the BCHL, including an 84-point campaign in 2006/07. After accepting a scholarship to NCAA Division I Wayne State and playing a season south of the border, Ruel returned home when the Warriors’ hockey program folded in 2008 and joined on with the University of British Columbia.
“For me, it had been tough living in Detroit and I knew that I’d be happy back on the West Coast,” Ruel says. “The quality of the education at UBC was also a big factor, and the team has a new facility that’s a first-class place to play.”
In his second season with the Thunderbirds, Ruel has elevated his game — he leads the team in scoring and has picked up a Canada West Player of the Week nod.
“Last season, I came in and I really had to prove myself,” Ruel says. “This year, I’ve been put in a spot where I’m getting lots of minutes and I can succeed offensively. It’s been a rollercoaster, and there’s definitely lots of work still to go.”
Academically, Ruel was well prepared for university after years spent working with Bulldogs’ education advisor Tom McEvay in an organization that stresses education and achievement.
“Alberni Valley does a great job preparing guys on- and off the ice, and Tom helped me out a lot. I was lucky to play for some pretty good teams with clear structure and expectations. The BCHL is a great league as a stepping stone to the next level, and playing there helped me develop and understand the game better.”
UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic comes from a Major Junior background that includes stints with the Tri City Americans and Vancouver Giants, but has had great success recruiting from Junior A.
“We have a number of players that have stepped in from the BCHL and been very good for us,” he says. “(Vernon Vipers grad) Ryan Kakoske stepped in and has become a top defenceman, and Max Grassi logs a lot of minutes as our second line centre.”
“The BCHL is the best Junior A league in Canada, and that’s proven by the scholarships and National Championships,” Dragicevic continues. “You know you’re getting players who were well-coached and understand what it takes to get to the next level.”
t first glance, the three Men’s Hockey conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport appear to be dominated by veterans of Major Junior hockey. But Tyler Ruel and a number of other BCHL graduates are proving that Junior
BCHL Grads in the CIS
University of Alberta (Cda West) Trevor Kordyban, Cow’n Valley Aaron Agnew, Penticton Graham Fleming, Powell River Dave Osborne, Williams Lake
University of B.C. (Cda West) Dalton Pajak, Alberni Valley Jordan Inglis, Prince George Tyler Ruel, Alberni Valley Brandon Campos, Merritt Clayton Bauer, Salmon Arm Brennan Sonne, Burnaby Ryan Kakoske, Vernon Matt Boudreau, Penticton Jordan White, Penticton Max Grassi, Penticton Cam Brodie, Vernon
Brock University (OUA) Steve Pattison, Alberni Valley Isaac Smeltzer, Alberni Valley Kurt Jory, Langley Greg Brown, Cowichan Valley Joe Tolles, Powell River
Univ. of Calgary (Cda West) Dustin Hatlelid, Trail Curtis Senkow, Trail Joel Eisenkirch, Penticton Ryan Gillen, Surrey Cory Pritz, Westside
Carleton University (OUA) Jared Cipparone, Surrey Joey Manley, Langley
Concordia University (OUA) Nicolas Sciangula, Merritt Alex Sciangula, Burnaby
Dalhousie University (AUS) Trevor MacKenzie, Nanaimo Jordan Berk, Salmon Arm Ron Kelly, Westside Jordan Gagne, Westside
Guleph University (OUA) Derek Knowles, Victoria
Lakehead University (OUA) Andy Zulyniak, Vernon Mark Soares, Burnaby
Univ. of Lethbridge (Cda West) Mark Shefchyk, Burnaby Austin Davenport, Trail Kris Snopek, Victoria
McGill University (OUA) Jean-Francois Boisvert, Trail
University of Moncton (AUS) Kevin Lachance, Cow’n Valley
** In some cases, players on this list competed in Major Junior prior to joining a CIS program
Univ. of Manitoba (Cda West) Jon Cara, Williams Lake Greg Beller, Vernon Steve Christie, Westside Riley Dudar, Penticton Jesse Deckert, Salmon Arm Stewart Thiessen, Surrey Gavin McHale, Westside
Nipissing University (OUA) Jordan Gallea, Powell River
University of Ottawa (OUA) T.J. Sutter, Vernon Marcus Halcro, Burnaby David Chubb, Nanaimo
Queen’s University (OUA) Sean Murray, Powell River
University of Regina (Cda West) Adam Ward, Langley Ryan Sawka, Vernon Patrick Bhungal, Powell River
Royal Military College (OUA) Tyler Spice, Langley Kurt Matthewson, Powell River Matt Pinder, Nanaimo Mitchell Smith, Quesnel
Ryerson University (OUA) Michael Paolo, Burnaby
Univ. of Saskatchewan (C. West) Travis Brisebois, Vernon Ilan Cumberbirch, Surrey
St. Francis Xavier Univ. (AUS) Rob Warner, Langley Stephen Simms, Nanaimo Bryan Gillis, Salmon Arm
St. Thomas University (AUS) Guillame Miszczak, Quesnel Andrew Estey, Alberni Valley
University of Toronto (OUA) Matt Walters, Salmon Arm
Univ. of Western Ontario (OUA) Keyvan Hunt, Victoria Anthony Grieco, Victoria
Wilfred Laurier University (OUA) Colin Williams, Penticton Phil Magistrale, Surrey Clinton Pettapiece, Westside
University of Windsor (OUA) Jon Romic, Langley
York University (OUA) Brett Short, Merritt Matt Thomson, Burnaby
DID YOU KNOW? BCHL SCOUTING SERVICES
The BCHL welcomes hundreds of scouts to its games each season, and offers colleges and pro teams an online Scouting Package that includes video archives as well as detailed academic information.
2010 EDUCATION ISSUE | 23
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