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In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2024-25 season, we will go team-by-team to profile new players entering the league, as well as offseason acquisitions through trades. We speak with the coach/GM of each team to get their thoughts on the new crop of players.
Next up are the Chilliwack Chiefs.
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The Chilliwack Chiefs finished second in the Coastal Conference last season with a record of 32-17-4-1. After sweeping the Langley Rivermen in the first round of the postseason, the Chiefs lost four straight to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in round two.
We spoke with Chilliwack head coach and general manager Brian Maloney about his team’s offseason moves heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
New recruits
Ben Bowen (2008, F)
Hometown: Peterborough, Ont.- Previous team: Vaughan Kings AAA (GTHL U16)
Bowen scored 33 goals and added 36 assists for 69 points in 51 games last season.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Ben is a young 16-year-old coming into the league and we’re pretty excited about him. He has the ability to score and has a big frame as well. Last year, we were a good team. We were fast and we played with an identity, but we think we lacked some bigger bodies up front, just guys that can protect the puck in the house and have good hands around the net. We feel that Ben is ready for the junior level.”
Caleb Malhotra (2008, F)
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.- Previous team: Vaughan Kings AAA (GTHL U16)
- College commitment: Boston University
The son of former NHLer and current Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malholtra, Caleb put up 67 points in 69 games for his under-16 team across all competition last year.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Caleb is a young, high-end talent who is mature beyond his years already. He’s going to be a good two-way player for us. He skates really well, has high-end IQ and, as he continues to fill out, he’s going to be able to add a puck protection game as well. Caleb should be able to slot in all over the lineup. Like every young player coming to this league, sometimes he will be one of the better players on the ice and other nights it could be a struggle to figure out the pace, but we’re excited to have him.”
Matthew Manza (2007, F)
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.- Previous team: Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
- College commitment: Ohio State University
Manza averaged exactly a point per game in his rookie season in the Ontario Junior Hockey League last year, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 49 points in 49 contests, including a team-best 26 goals.
Maloney’s scouting report:
Matthew is another really high-end, young, talented kid that can score. Our job is to teach him how to play off the puck. He will use his natural ability to find the soft ice and to be able to get a shot off – his biggest asset is his shot. Matthew will be able to score in this league, whether it’s on day one or later in the season.”
Sebastian Gatto (2006, G)
Hometown: Troy, Mich.- Previous team: Leamington Flyers (OJHL)
In 30 appearances with Leamington of the Ontario Junior Hockey League last season, Gatto owned a record of 17-9-2 with a .928 save percentage, a 2.23 goals-against average and four shutouts.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Sebastian comes in with a lot of pedigree. We wanted to make sure that our two young goalies had junior experience and they both do. He’s a really high-end goalie who is athletic and big. He also attended Detroit Red Wings development camp this summer and showed really well there. I have some former teammates that are part of that staff and they spoke very highly of Sebastian, so we’re pretty fortunate to get him.”
Enzo Lottin (2008, F)
Hometown: Trois-Rivières, Que.- Previous team: Trois-Rivières Estacades (QM18AAA)
In 2023-24, Lottin notched 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 41 games for his under-18 club.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Enzo is a pretty dynamic player. He’s small, but he’s thick. Last year, we had a bit of a tough time finishing plays off, so we wanted to get some younger high-end talent that has poise with the puck. Some nights, you’re gonna see some pretty amazing things from Enzo and other nights you’re probably going to see a young 16-year-old just trying to figure out a strong league. He’s definitely creating a lot of chatter amongst the NCAA schools and some NHL scouts already.”
Price Grimes (2006, D)
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.- Previous team: Chicago Steel (USHL)
- College commitment: University of New Hampshire
Grimes had a goal and five assists in 41 games of his rookie season in the USHL last year.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“We were looking for a right-shot, younger defenceman who had some junior experience and Price fits that description. He’s got a big frame. He’s is a good two-way defenceman and he was getting taught well in his time with Chicago. We have quite a few lefties returning, so adding him into our top-six will certainly help us.”
Brendyn Van Oene (2007, F)
Hometown: Shawnigan Lake, B.C.- Previous team: Shawnigan Lake School Prep (CSSHL U18)
Van Oene was Shawnigan’s second-leading scorer with 49 points in 30 games last year and also tied for the team’s goal-scoring lead with 23 on the season. He played one playoff game for Chilliwack as an affiliate last year.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“We’re pretty excited about Brendyn. He’s a good B.C. boy with a big frame. He was around our group a little bit last season, so he already understands what our league is and understands how the Chilliwack Chiefs carry themselves. Figuring out the pace of the league will be the biggest challenge for Brendyn, but he’s going to be a good one. We’re patient with these kids if they’re patient with us and it should lead to success in the long run.”
Acquired via trade
Dakota MacIntosh (2004, F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.- Previous team: Blackfalds Bulldogs (BCHL)
MacIntosh started his 2023-24 campaign with the Brooks Bandits before being dealt to Blackfalds after three games. He eventually moved on to the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League where he had 10 points in 23 games, before returning to Blackfalds to close out the season. MacIntosh totaled 56 points in 39 games between is time with the Bandits and Bulldogs. Chilliwack acquired him from Blackfalds in a trade on June 11.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Dakota is a familiar name within our league. He’s known as someone that can finish. He has a ton of experience as well and has played on a few different junior teams. I had a long conversation with Dakota when we signed him and I think he’s excited for his role with us. He looks forward to his last year of junior, coming into our program and leading by example. He should certainly help us put the puck in the net.”
Owen Bresson (2006, G)
Hometown: Dominion, N.S.- Previous team: Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
Bresson put up solid numbers with Victoria last year as a 17-year-old rookie. He appeared in 29 games and posted a .914 save percentage, a 2.70 goals-against average and four shutouts.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“Owen has a big frame at over 6-foot-3 and plays with a lot of poise. We saw a lot of him when he was in Victoria last season. We felt that he stepped up quite a bit when their starter went down last year, so he’s proven in this league. He’s one of those kids that fills the net and takes a lot of the angles down.”
Lucas Sorace (2004, D)
Hometown: Port Moody, B.C.- Previous team: Penticton Vees (BCHL)
- College commitment: Quinnipiac University
Sorace is returning to the Chiefs after Chilliwack traded him to Penticton last season. Entering his fourth season in the league, Sorace spent the first two with Chilliwack before the trade last year. In 2023-24, he had seven points in 26 regular-season games.
Maloney’s scouting report:
“We’re excited to bring Lucas back into our program, knowing what kind of kid he is and the character he brings. He fits nicely into the group here. We also placed him right back into his old billet home, which is nice. He struggled with injuries when he was with us before, but he’s healthy now and he understands what kind of player he is. He’s just a really good mobile defenceman that plays with a little bit of snarl. He gets back for pucks quickly and moves pucks up the ice quickly as well”
Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Bowen, Malhotra), USHL (Grimes), CSSHL (Van Oene), Tom Grimsdale (MacIntosh), Island Images (Bresson)
