The BCHL has announced the participants for the outdoor Alumni & Friends Game, presented by Cascades Casino Penticton, as part of the league’s All-Star Weekend in Penticton. The game takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 on the Penticton Outdoor Rink.
The list of alumni and special guests is highlighted by Stanley Cup champions, longtime NHLers, successful actors and players who made their mark in the BCHL.
Here is a full list of participants.
Scott Gomez – South Surrey Eagles (1996-1997): After winning a Fred Page Cup championship with the Eagles in 1997, Gomez went on to play 17 years in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and taking home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year in the 1999-2000 season. He is currently in his first season as an assistant coach with the Eagles.
Kyle Turris – Burnaby Express (2005-2007): Returning to the Alumni & Friends Game for a second time, Turris embarked on a 14-year NHL career after playing his junior hockey in the BCHL. He is still the highest draft pick to come straight from the BCHL at 3rd overall in 2007 when he was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes.
Dave Babych: Best known in B.C. for his seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and a key contributor on the blueline of Vancouver’s 1994 Stanley Cup Finals run, Babych played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League and was named an All-Star on two separate occasions.
Dave Tomlinson – Summerland Buckaroos/Richmond Sockeyes (1985-1987): Tomlinson starred in the BCHL during his two seasons in the league, then went on to play four years at Boston University before getting his shot in the NHL for four seasons. He is now the colour commentator for the Vancouver Canucks on Sportsnet.
Dylan Playfair – Merritt Centennials (2010-2011): Before he was a successful actor, Playfair played his junior hockey in B.C. and suited up for the Centennials for one season. He is now best known as one of the stars of the television show Letterkenny.
Tyler Johnston: Another one of the stars of the TV show Letterkenny, Johnston has been acting professionally for 20 years and is born and raised in Coquitlam, B.C. He scored two goals in last year’s Alumni & Friends Game.
Colton Gillies: Gillies, a Penticton resident, was a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2007 and played for both the Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets during his five years in the NHL.
Neil Eisenhut – Langley Eagles, Merritt Centennials, Penticton Knights (1984-1987): Eisenhut spent three seasons in the BCHL before playing college hockey at the University of North Dakota. He went on to play 12 years of professional hockey, including a stint with the Vancouver Canucks in 1993-94.
Angus Redmond – Salmon Arm Silverbacks (2013-2016): Redmond was a workhorse starting goaltender for the ‘Backs during his tenure with the team. After one year of college hockey at Michigan Tech, he embarked on a five-year professional career. He is currently in his second season as a Goaltending Coach back in Salmon Arm. He will be a skater and not a goalie during the Alumni & Friends Game.
Mark MacMillan – Alberni Valley Bulldogs/Penticton Vees (2009-2011): After a successful BCHL career, MacMillan went on to play four years at the University of North Dakota and another four professionally. He is currently in his first season as an assistant coach with the Vees.
Mitch MacMillan – Powell River Kings, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Alberni Valley Bulldogs (2007-2010): MacMillan notched 165 points in 172 BCHL games during his BCHL career, then went on to play four years of college hockey split between St. Cloud State University and the University of North Dakota
Neil Clark – Langley Hornets, Merritt Centennials, Cowichan Valley Capitals (1999-2002): Clark suited up for three seasons in the BCHL before playing four years of college hockey and another six professionally. He is currently an actor on the television show Shoresy where he plays a hockey player.
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The game will also feature two BCHL goalies between the pipes. Nanaimo Clippers goaltender and BCHL Top Prospects Game participant Tyler Hodges will be in net, as well as Penticton Vees netminder and local Penticton product Sharky Nowek.
The Alumni & Friends Game will take place between the BCHL Skills Competition and the 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament.
