Presented by Chevrolet.
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 is the Cranbrook Bucks.
+++
The Cranbrook Bucks finished seventh in the Interior Conference last year and, after going down 3-0 in their first-round series with the West Kelowna Warriors, battled back to force a Game 7, which they ultimately lost.
The team now has their sights set on 2024-25 and their fourth full season in the BCHL. We connected with head coach and general manager Ryan Donald to highlight the team’s new recruits for the fall.
New recruits
Jaden Cholette (2006, G)
Hometown: Gloucester, Ont.- Previous team: Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
Cholette had a .909 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average for Mount St. Charles in league play last year.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He’s got the opportunity to be a really good goaltender in our league, in time. He’s got really good fundamentals. We’re excited to get the chance to work with him. We’ve been able to build a pretty good reputation with goaltenders, so we’ll continue to build on those fundamentals and build on some other elements of his game. He has good feet and good quickness. He tracks pucks well. He uses his size and his athleticism well to be an effective goaltender.”
Tanner Fennell (2005, D)
Hometown: Gloucester, Ont.- Previous team: Kemptville 73’s (CCHL)
- College commitment: University of Alaska-Anchorage
Fennell played the past two seasons with Kemptville of the Central Canada Hockey League. Last year was his best junior season where he put up 29 points in 54 games.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He’s a defenceman that fits the way that we’ve had our group built in the past. He competes really hard and closes space with his feet and his stick. He’s mature and has some junior experience already. We think he can step in and be an impact defenceman in our league.”
Bryce Bryant (2006, F)
Hometown: Virden, Man.- Previous team: Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL)
- College commitment: Bemidji State University
As a rookie in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Bryant totaled 10 goals, 19 assists and 29 points in 52 games for Virden.
Donald’s scouting report:
“Bryce is a good playmaker with some offensive upside. He’s got some junior experience with a pretty good program. Once he gets adjusted to the pace of the BCHL and how the game is played, he should have some success finding that offence.”
Rasmus Svartström (2005, F)
- Hometown: Helsinki, Finland
- Previous team: KooKoo (U20 SM-sarja)
In his first full season with KooKoo’s under-20 team, Svartström totaled 17 goals, 16 assists and 33 points in 47 games.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He has a big body with good puck touch. We’re excited to see him come over to North America and make that adjustment. That takes a bit of time, but I think his game is built for it. He’s no stranger to being along the wall, in tight areas and inside the dots as well. He’s a guy who we think, with his pedigree and his skill set, can come in and make our lineup a bit bigger, while also providing us with some offence.”
Maddex Marmulak (2007, F)
Hometown: Middle Sackville, N.S.- Previous team: Halifax McDonald’s (NSU18MHL)
- College commitment: Cornell University
Marmulak was the Nova Scotia under-18 league’s Most Valuable Player in 2023-24 and finished tied for second in league scoring with 49 points in 32 games.
Donald’s scouting report:
“We think, with some time and development and a little bit of strength added to his game, he’s a player that will be able to make an impact at our level as he grows. He’s already a guy that can play both sides of the puck and he brings versatility. He can play a couple different positions and a few different roles.”
Matthew Gilmore (2006, D)
Hometown: Marcellus, N.Y.- Previous team: Bishop Kearney Selects (18U AAA)
Gilmore piled up 48 points in 58 games for Bishop Kearney last year on 14 goals and 34 helpers.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He’s a young player making his jump into the BCHL. He’s crafty with good puck skills. He’s got good offensive touch and vision. As he evolves at our level, we think he can be a pretty high-end offensive player down the road.”
Samuel Lyne (2005, F)
Hometown: Chelmsford, England- Previous team: Northwood School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Colgate University
Lyne had 35 points in 57 games for Northwood last season, his third year with the team. He has also represented Great Britain internationally at the under-18 level on multiple occasions.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He joined us in the playoffs last year as a Black Ace and I thought he fit in really well. He’s a really strong player that will play physically and is strong inside the dots and along the walls. He’ll add some versatility as he can play in the middle or on the wall. We’re excited to have him for a full season this coming year.”
Jake Skogstad (2007, F)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.- Previous team: RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna (CSSHL U18)
Skogstad spent the past three years in Kelowna with RINK Hockey Academy. Last season, he tied for fourth in team scoring with 34 points in 30 games, including 23 assists, which was third-most on his club.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He’s been around our program for a while now. He was with us in training camp last year and in previous spring camps. He brings a lot of intangibles to our organization. He’s a mature young man with good leadership ability and character. He’s a high-end player who we think can be a really good Cranbrook Buck for a few years. He’s a good teammate that will put in the work to get better and better.”
Quinn Keeler (2006, D)
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.- Previous team: Calgary Royals AAA (AEHL U18)
Keeler had been with the Royals program the past three years, finishing as the team’s top-scoring defender in 2023-24 when he had 22 points in 36 contests.
Donald’s scouting report:
“He’s a right-shot defenceman that has been a leader at previous levels. He brings intangibles on the ice and off the ice. He’s a player that we felt fit our organization and how we like to do things. He’s got a good first pass. He can create some offence, but will also kill plays as he defends at the other end using his feet and his stick. He should be able to step in pretty seamlessly as a three-zone defenceman that can grow over his time in the BCHL.”
Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Marmulak, Gilmore, Lyne), CSSHL (Skogstad)
