In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2022-23 season, we will be going team-by-team to profile new players coming in for the upcoming year. This will include recaps of offseason commitments and acquisitions, as well as scouting reports from the coaches.
We have moved into the Coastal Conference. Next up is the Coquitlam Express.
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The Coquitlam Express may have finished as the seven seed in the Coastal Conference last year, but they were anything but a pushover in the playoffs.
After playing to a 22-26-1-5 record in the regular season, they matched up against number-two seed Chilliwack Chiefs in the first round. The teams went back and forth, alternating wins all series long until it was the Chiefs turn to prevail in the all-important Game 7 and eliminate the Express.
With several players moving on from the 2021-22 edition of the team, as well as a coaching change and the introduction of Patrick Sexton as the team’s bench boss and Express alumnus and former NHLer Kyle Turris to the staff, there will be plenty of new faces at Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre in September. The team’s general manager Tali Campbell helps us break down the new recruits and acquisitions.
New recruits
Culin Wilson (2003, F)
Hometown: Hingham, Mass.- Previous team: Dexter Southfield School (USHS-Prep)
Wilson played four years at Dexter Southfield in Brookline, Mass. He was the captain of the team last year as well as the leading point-getter, putting up 37 in 24 contests. His 14 goals were second on the team, while his 23 assists were tied for first.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“At first, I got to see him play a couple times through HockeyTV and was amazed at how fast and shifty he is. He’s a smaller player, but he can move the puck. He’s very smart out there. He’s got a good first pass and a wicked wrist shot. Given some time he could put up numbers like Ryan Tattle did for us. He’s a 2003-born, so we’ll hopefully have him for two years. I think his game will translate very well to the BCHL.”
Jake Manfre (2004, F)
Hometown: Smithtown, N.Y.- Previous team: Long Island Gulls 18U AAA (18U AAA)
- College commitment: Princeton University
Manfre was his team’s top goal scorer and point producer last year, piling up 10 goals and 13 points in 12 games of Northeast Pack league play.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“We lost Tyler Kopff in the offseason, so I could see Jake jumping into that role and being a power forward. He’s incredibly talented. His work ethic is incredible. Everyone who I talked to while scouting him said that he would work his tail off on the ice and in the gym as well. I think he’ll be one of our leaders this year.”
Michael Rubin (2003, D)
Hometown: Blauvelt, N.Y.- Previous team: Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
- College commitment: Merrimack College
Rubin split last USHL season between the Youngstown Phantoms and Des Moines where he had a goal and three assists in a combined 43 games.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“He’s tough as nails when he needs to be. He plays the puck well and he’s very smart. Between [Cameron] Moger and him coming in, we have a good combination of guys to help replace someone like Matthew Campbell who is moving on. Prior to going to the USHL, Rubin put up good numbers. In our league, with how fast it is, you’ll see him put up some numbers again and be a little more creative than he was allowed to be in the USHL.”
Gavin Giesbrecht (2004, F)
Hometown: Abbotsford, B.C.- Previous team: Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U18 (BCEHL U18)
Giesbrecht was the Thunderbirds top scorer in 2021-22 after notching 47 points in 36 contests on 22 goals and a team-best tying 25 assists.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“Down the stretch last year, he just kept growing as a player. His ceiling and trajectory are very high. He’s one of the most skilled players from the Lower Mainland in his age group. As he moves to the BCHL, he’s going to have to find that physical part of his game. He was named the MVP of his team, so I think he’ll transition well. He has a big frame and knows how to use it.”
William Yee (2004, D)
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: The Lawrenceville School (USHS-Prep)
Yee had nearly a point per game last year for Lawrenceville, finishing his campaign with 28 points in 29 contests, the most among any defenceman on his team. The year prior, he played for Coquitlam in the pod season, suiting up for 15 games and adding one assist.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“It was always our plan to get Will back into our program and, to see him almost two years later, he’s taken some huge steps in his game. You’re not going to see him put up 40 points a year, but you’re not going to see his plus-minus get very low either. If you’re looking for someone to line match or calm things down, he’s a guy you can rely on. He’s also incredibly smart. In my opinion, you might see him commit to an Ivy League school sometime this year. He’s that safe defenceman that you can rely on and won’t take those risks and chances that are going to give the coaches heart attacks on the bench.”
Drew Garzone (2004, F)
Hometown: Dover, Mass,- Previous team: Deerfield Academy (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Princeton University
Garzone played three seasons at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Last season, he put up 14 points in 23 games to tie for third in team scoring.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“Garzone was someone that we watched quite a bit last year. After losing guys like [Jayden] Sison, [Ryan] Tattle and [Christian] MacDougall, we had to try to find someone to replace them and who can come in and play right away. That’s what I think Garzone will be. He put up decent numbers at his program last year. He’ll provide offence and play a strong defensive game as well. He’s a 200-foot player that we expect to come in and not skip a beat when the season starts.”
Reilley Kotai (2004, F)
Hometown: Abbotsford, B.C.- Previous team: Chilliwack Jets (PJHL)
Kotai put up impressive numbers playing Junior B in Chilliwack last year. His 60 points in 41 games were third most on the team, while his 44 assists were the most among teammates.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“He was someone that was on our list last year to potentially make our team. He ended up going back and playing with the Chilliwack Jets, which I think in retrospect was a great thing for him. It allowed him to go from playing a boy’s game to a man’s game in Junior B. If he’s on the fourth line, he’ll battle his tail off, fight for pucks and win his matchups. At the same time, if you need him in your top six, he’ll be able to contribute and put pucks in the net. He’s just a great teammate.”
Nolan Underwood (2002, F)
Hometown: Paris, Ont.- Previous team: Hamilton Kilty B’s (GOJHL)
Underwood was the captain of his Junior B team last season and finished fourth in team scoring with 56 points in 43 games on 18 goals and 38 assists.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“Nolan’s role role coming here is going to be a middle-six player who does what’s asked of him. He can lead by example. He can lead in the dressing room and he can lead on the ice. He’s also 6-foot-4. In my opinion, something we were missing last year was size. When we faced the Chilliwack Chiefs in the playoffs, they beat us in the size game and there was some intimidation going on. He’s able to put up points if we need to put up points. He can kill penalties and he can play on the power play as well. If things are getting a little tough and we’re on a losing streak, he can help keep guys on the straight and narrow and focus on the positives.”
Acquired via trade
Cameron Moger (2002, D)
Hometown: Vernon, B.C.- Previous team: Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL)
- College commitment: Michigan Tech University
Moger played the past two seasons with the Smoke Eaters. In 2021-22, he contributed five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 46 games. Moger was dealt twice this offseason, first to the Prince George Spruce Kings and then to the Express.
Campbell’s scouting report:
“Moger wasn’t super offensive last year in Trail, but he was always a solid piece in their lineup. Prior to joining the BCHL, he was an offensive piece for the Okanagan Rockets U18 program. He’s a big defenceman who uses his stick well and has a high IQ. We just needed someone to add a bit of experience and leadership on the back end after losing some key guys. When he was available in a trade, it was a no-brainer for us.”
Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Wilson, Manfre, Garzone), Garrett James Photography (Moger)
