One of the British Columbia Hockey League's brightest stars in back. 2008 All-Star and 50-goal scorer Brodie Reid has chosen to return to the Burnaby Express and play another season, the team announced Tuesday. Reid, who has a scholarship waiting for him at Northeastern University, will head south for his first season of NCAA hockey next fall.
Reid's stock soared last season as the 18-year old Delta native notched 87 points and finished second to Vernon's Hunter Bishop in goals with 52. And with Bishop headed to Ohio State, Reid is a solid bet to take the scoring crown in 2008/09.
“I wanted to come back to Burnaby and have another year to develop and become more of a leader,” Reid says. “I didn't feel 100% ready to leave and I'm excited to be back. It looks like we're going to have a really strong team.”
Last season, Reid combined with BCHL leading scorer Carlo Finucci and 87-point man Cody Campbell to form the league's most lethal offensive trio. With Finucci and Campbell having moved on to the NCAA, Reid will be looking to find chemistry with new linemates.
Express head coach Dave McLellan expects that Max Grassi, an offseason addition from Surrey, should provide a playmaking presence for Reid. The former Surrey Eagle was a 61-point scorer last season.
“Having Brodie back for another season is huge for us,” McLellan says. “He's a proven goal scorer who's going to be another year older.”
“Growing as a leader is an important part of any player's development,” he continued. “Brodie wants to take another step into that type of role, and I see him being the type of young man who could potentially be our captain.”
