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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 Coquitlam Express.
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The Coquitlam Express ended the 2023-24 regular season as the number-six seed in the Coastal Conference, setting up a first-round playoff series against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The Express pushed the Bulldogs to the limit, but ended up losing the matchup in seven games.
With head coach Jeff Wagner shedding the interim tag from the end of last season, he has now had a full offseason to prepare for his first full campaign as a BCHL bench boss. We spoke with him about the Express’ moves this offseason.
New recruits
Andrej Kovacevic (2004, F)
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
- College commitment: Quinnipiac University
Kovacevic is entering his fifth season in the BCHL. He made his debut with Coquitlam during the pod season in 2020-21, then spent time with the Langley Rivermen and, most recently, the Cowichan Valley Capitals in 2023-24. He put up a career-best 41 points in 52 games with Langley two seasons ago.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s a big, strong power forward who has shown the ability to score in our league. He’s coming off a tough year where he probably didn’t meet his own expectations, but we are looking forward to helping him find his game again and to get back to being a top-end scorer in our league.”
Leo Eperjesi (2005, D)
Hometown: Kosice, Slovakia- Previous team: Chippewa Steel (NAHL)
- College commitment: University of Maine
After playing his youth hockey with club teams in Slovakia and representing his country internationally on multiple occasions, Eperjesi came over to North America for the 2022-23 season where he played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL. He spent last season in the North American Hockey League, suiting up for the Wisconsin Windigo and then the Chippewa Steel and putting up a combined nine points in 37 games.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“We’re really excited about Leo. He’s a player that we’ve had our eye on for over a year now. He adds size, mobility and skill to our back end and we think that he’s going to be a big impact player for our team.”
Mitchell Kneidel (2006, D)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio- Previous team: Rochester Jr. Americans (NAHL)
- College commitment: Dartmouth College
Kneidel started the 2023-24 season with the Bishop Kearney Selects under-18 program where he notched seven goals, 12 assists and 19 points in 25 games. He then joined Rochester of the North American Hockey League and posted six assists in 39 contests.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s an exciting young prospect who has some junior experience in the NAHL. He’s a good skater who plays hard in front of the net and in the corners. He also has good deception to allow him to make plays on the blueline. Hopefully, he can bring us a bit offence from our back end.”
Trip Pendy (2005, F)
Hometown: Far Hills, N.J.- Previous team: Austin Bruins (NAHL)
- College commitment: Brown University
Pendy started last season with the Trail Smoke Eaters, contributing four assists in 23 games, before joining Austin of the North American Hockey League where he had two goals and two assists in 22 contests.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s a strong skater who has a high IQ, plays an honest 200-foot game and has experience in our league. I think he has an offensive upside, but I don’t think it’s been tapped into quite yet. Hopefully, he can provide stability to our core group and add offence where he can.”
Max Pendy (2006, F)
Hometown: Far Hills, N.J.- Previous team: Delbarton School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Princeton University
The younger brother of fellow Express recruit Trip Pendy, Max was his prep school’s top scorer with 51 points and a team-high 26 goals. He also played with the New Jersey Rockets 18U team and was their leading scorer with 85 points in 71 contests.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s a strong skater, like his brother. His playing style really compliments the way we play. He’s shown a lot of offensive upside at the prep level and has the ability to be a threat in many different ways. We’re excited to see what he can do at our level.”
Simon Ward (2007, F)
Hometown: Trail, B.C.- Previous team: St. George’s School Prep (CSSHL U18)
In 2023-24, Ward had 12 goals and 26 assists for 38 points in 30 contests in the CSSHL.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Simon is a promising young player who adds size and strength to our core group and has a really good skill set. Once that skill set is polished, it should translate really well to our team and the way we play.”
Ryan Staples (2006, F)
Hometown: Middletown, R.I.- Previous team: St. George’s School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Yale University
Staples tied for his prep school scoring lead in 2023-24, finishing the campaign with 40 points in 28 games, including a team-best 17 goals.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Ryan is a smart, steady player who is really versatile. He plays all types of styles and can also play down the middle or on the wing. I think he’ll help us at both ends of the rink.”
Liam Loughery (2007, D)
Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: Burnaby Winter Club Prep (CSSHL U18)
As a 16-year-old, Loughery played in 17 games with BWC’s under-18 club last season and registered 10 assists.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Liam plays a mature game, considering his age. He keeps things simple and plays within himself. As he develops, we really see him being a high-end defender in our league.”
Adam Konowalchuk (2006, F)
Hometown: Maple Ridge, B.C.- Previous team: Coquitlam HC (JPHL U18)
Konowalchuk tied for the Coquitlam HC team lead in scoring last season with 41 points in in 33 contests, including a team-high 33 assists. He also got into two BCHL games with the Express as an affiliate.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s a strong power forward and plays a hard-nosed, honest style of game. He should be able to inject energy into our lineup.”
Shaan Maan (2006, F)
Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.- Previous team: Coquitlam HC (JPHL U18)
Maan registered 11 goals, 15 assists and 26 points in 31 games for Coquitlam HC last year.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“He’s a high-IQ player who is kind of a jack of all trades. Shaan skates really well and shows flashes of skill. Once he puts it all together, he’ll be a solid contributor for our team. He was a really good leader with our JPHL team last year.”
Acquired via trade
Nicholas Wellenreiter (2006, F)
Hometown: Dundas, Ont.- Previous team: Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
- College commitment: University of Maine
Wellenreiter split last season between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Sherwood Park Crusaders. He totaled a combined 13 points in 38 games.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Nick plays bigger than he is. He is a bit of an undersized player but has a knack for the dirty areas. He’s got good skill in tight and brings another year of experience in our league to our group. We look forward to him taking a big step this year.”
Alex Bosland (2005, D)
Hometown: Basking Ridge, N.J.- Previous team: Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
- College commitment: University of Maine
Bosland started his BCHL career last year with the Powell River Kings, registering eight assists in 36 games before being acquired by the Brooks Bandits for the second half of the season.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Alex has a really good skill set. He can play up and down our lineup. He’s a player who has experience and I think he’ll be relied on heavily to help our younger players get acclimated to the league. He’s got really good leadership skills, so we are really excited about him.”
Cooper Wilson (2005, D)
Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
In his first full season in the BCHL, Wilson suited up for 39 games with Nanaimo and contributed six assists.
Wagner’s scouting report:
“Cooper is another guy that will add experience on our back end. He is a defenceman who takes pride in defending. He’s put in a lot of work this offseason to add some elements to his game and we look forward to the presence he is going to add to our group.”
Photo credits: Cerah Bennett (Kovacevic), Liz Wolter (Trip Pendy, Wellenreiter, Bosland, Wilson), Dan Hickling (Max Pendy), CSSHL (Ward, Loughery)
