With the college hockey season now underway, the weekly player awards are turning up plenty of BCHL talent.
There were BCHL alumni recognized this week in the NCAA’s Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey and NCHC conferences as Nick Hutchinson (Canisius), Cole Maier (Union) and Patrick Newell (St. Cloud State) all shone on the ice for their respective teams.
Nick Hutchison, Canisius (Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week)
The former Salmon Arm Silverbacks standout posted three goals plus a helper as the Golden Griffins earned a split with Holy Cross. The Hicksville, N.Y. product had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 setback Friday but followed that with two tallies in a 7-6 win the following night. As a member of the Silverbacks, Hutchison had 23 goals and 29 assists in 63 games over two seasons.
Cole Maier, Union (ECAC Offensive Player of the Week)
Nanaimo Clippers alum Maier picked up a goal and four assists as Union earned a win and a tie against Omaha-Nebraska. The Pequannock, N.J. native was in on all three of his team’s goals in a 3-3 draw Friday as assisted twice more, including on the winning goal Saturday, in a 5-4 victory. In one BCHL season with Nanaimo, Maier recorded 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points while playing 58 games.
Patrick Newell, St. Cloud State (NCHC Offensive Player of the Week)
Penticton Vees alum Newell notched three goals, including two gamewinners, plus two assists in helping the Huskies to a weekend sweep of Alaska. Newell was in on each goal with two markers and an assist in the first game, a 3-2 win. In the finale, he again had the winner and another assist in a 6-2 triumph. With the Vees, Newell had 16 goals and 31 assists for 47 points in 56 games in the 2014-15 season.
