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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 Langley Rivermen.
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The Langley Rivermen were the seventh seed in the BCHL’s Coastal Conference in 2023-24 and lost their first-round playoff series against the Chilliwack Chiefs in four games, three of which went to overtime.
With a new head coach and general manager in Chris Shaw, the Rivermen have added new talent to their roster with the hopes of finding postseason success in 2024-25. We spoke with Shaw about the additions to the team.
New recruits
Luke Pfoh (2005, F)
Hometown: Port Moody, B.C.- Previous team: Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
- College commitment: Bowling Green State University
Pfoh brings three years of BCHL experience. Last year, he split time between the Cranbrook Bucks and Merritt Centennials. His game took off after being acquired by Merritt where he put up nine goals, 10 assists and 19 points in 22 contests.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Luke’s player that I’ve had a relationship with for a long time. He’s a really savvy offensive player and has a great touch around the net. He plays with a lot of pace and brings that experience and scoring that we will rely on.”
Austin Borggaard (2005, F)
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.- Previous team: St. Mark’s School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Sacred Heart University
Borggaard was the second leading scorer at his prep school last year after putting up 49 points in 28 games, including a team-best 24 goals. He was the recipient of the John Carlton Memorial Trophy from the Boston Bruins as the top male high-school athlete in the state of Massachusetts.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Austin is a high-character kid on and off the ice who really excels in his academics. He’s an extremely strong skater and he has an elite shot. He really utilizes his speed and his shot to produce. We wanted to bring him in and get a little bit older. He should help produce some offence for us this year.”
Jerome Maharaj (2004, F)
Hometown: Delta, B.C.- Previous team: Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)
Marahaj was Weyburn’s leading scorer in 2023-24 with 56 points in 56 games on 20 goals and 36 assists.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“I had an opportunity to watch him when he was younger in the CSSHL. He provides us with a lot of character and leadership as a 20-year-old. He plays with a lot of grit and he doesn’t quit on anything. Over the last year, he’s proven that he’s got the ability to produce at the junior level.”
Marco Oliviero (2006, F)
Hometown: Langley, B.C.- Previous team: Fraser Valley Thunderbirds (BCEHL U18)
Oliviero was Fraser Valley’s leading scorer in 2023-24 with 60 points in 36 games, including a team-high 35 goals.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Marco is a long, rangy forward and doesn’t quit on pucks. He’s got great offensive instincts, whether it’s with his goal-scoring ability or by creating offence through moving the puck. He’s definitely a kid that we’re excited about.”
Bodee Weiss (2004, G)
Hometown: Medicine Hat, Alta.- Previous team: Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
Weiss played the past three seasons with Bonnyville of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Last year, he had a .900 save percentage, a 2.89 goals-against average and one shutout to go along with a 21-14-4 record.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“We needed a 20-year-old veteran presence in our net. He’s very consistent and moves extremely well. He also plays the puck really well. He just solidified what we needed in our net with [returning goalie] Charlie [Tritt] this year. We’re really confident in what we have with Bodee. He’s another guy that’s hungry to earn a Division I scholarship.”
Will Shepard (2007, F)
Hometown: West Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: Burnaby Winter Club Prep (CSSHL U18)
In his first full season with BWC’s under-18 team, Shepard scored nine goals and added 14 assists for 23 points in 21 games.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Will is a player that [associate] coach [Ryan] Hollweg and I coached in the past at the Burnaby Winter Club. Will is like your Swiss Army knife – ultra dependable. He plays a gritty, 200-foot game. He can play the wing or he can play centre. He will be counted on in all situations. He’s got a really bright future and we’re looking forward to having him.”
Declan Bowmaster (2005, F)
Hometown: Newcastle, Ont.- Previous team: Collingwood Blues (OJHL)
- College commitment: Merrimack College
Bowmaster spent the past two seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and split last year between the Haliburton County Huskies and Collingwood Blues where he totaled a combined 28 points in 46 games. He also had one goal in 11 postseason games, helping Collingwood to a league title and a national championship.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Declan is a long, north-south forward with range. He’s got a really sneaky skill set. He’s good in tight areas and is a really quick skater. He’s a really good offensive depth piece with deep playoff experience.”
Owen DeWitt (2007, F)
Hometown: Sicamous, B.C.- Previous team: Sicamous Eagles (KIJHL)
As a 16-year-old rookie with Sicamous, he tied for the team lead in scoring with 50 points in 44 games and led the Eagles with 31 assists. He was named the KIJHL’s Rookie of the Year.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“He’s a big 6-foot-3 power forward in the making. Owen really utilizes his speed and likes to drive the play north. He’s got a great shot and a knack for getting into some soft areas and putting himself in a position to score. He’s going to be your prototypical drive-the-puck-to-the-net player. He’s got the ability to produce for sure.”
Ethan Armstrong (2007, D)
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.- Previous team: Shawnigan Lake School Prep (CSSHL U18)
Armstrong had the most points by any Shawnigan defenceman last season, totaling 27 in 30 games.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“He’s a 6-foot-3, young defencemen with range. I had an opportunity to watch him in the CSSHL as well. Ethan really smooth and dependable. He’s a distributor – a pass-first kind of player who stays out of trouble. He has a bright future. I think a lot of schools are going to show some interest in Ethan.”
Ty Creech (2005, D)
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.- Previous team: Salisbury School (USHS-Prep)
In his third season with Salisbury School, Creech notched seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 27 contests. He also spent time with the Avon Regals under-18 program.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Ty is a big-body defenceman that was actually a forward a couple of years ago, so he’s got a little bit of flair to him for his size. He’s heavy on pucks and heavy on bodies. He’s not afraid to get up in the play and try to create some offence. We’re going to really count on his physicality.”
Acquired via trade
Mason Kesselring (2004, F)
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.- Previous team: Janesville Jets (NAHL)
- College commitment: University of Connecticut
Kesselring started his 2023-24 season in the USHL, but played the second half of the year in the North American Hockey League year with Janesville where he had 28 points in 28 games. The year prior, he was a standout with the Chilliwack Chiefs, notching 40 points and a team-high 21 goals in 50 games. Langley acquired his BCHL rights from the Chiefs in a June 11 transaction.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Mason was one of the first players I spoke with about coming to Langley. He’s a guy that we’re bringing in as a 20-year-old to really help drive our offence and add some more experience and size to the lineup. We’re really excited about having him here.”
Ethan Merner (2006, F)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.- Previous team: Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
- College commitment: Merrimack College
Merner is coming off a strong season with Sherwood Park where he totaled 42 points in 65 games across all competition. He also played for the Vernon Vipers during the 2022-23 season as a 16-year-old rookie. The Rivermen traded for him in an Aug. 6 deal with Sherwood Park.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“I had an opportunity to watch Ethan quite a bit when he was in the CCSHL. He brings that junior experience and is another guy that can help push our team forward on the offensive side of things. He’s really dependable and always plays with high energy. He’s a great player. We’re looking forward to having him in our group.”
Sid McNeill (2004, D)
Hometown: Summerside, P.E.I.- Previous team: Surrey Eagles (BCHL)
In his first year in the BCHL after coming over from the Maritime Junior Hockey League, McNeill helped the Eagles to a 2023-24 Fred Page Cup championship. He had 23 points in 53 games in the regular season and another 12 points in 24 playoff contests. Langley acquired him as part of a future considerations trade on June 1.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“Sid obviously had a great year with the Eagles. For an undersized defenceman, he really utilizes his feet to stay out of trouble. He’s an extremely intelligent, puck-moving defencemen who quarterbacks the power play. I think Sid is ready to explode offensively on the back end for us and earn a Division I commitment.”
Jack Bakker (2007, F)
Hometown: White Rock, B.C.- Previous team: Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
- College commitment: Minnesota State University
Bakker made his debut as a 16-year-old in the BCHL last year, splitting his season between the Penticton Vees and Sherwood Park Crusaders. The Rivermen acquired him in a trade on June 1.
Shaw’s scouting report:
“I had an opportunity to coach Jack with Team BC at the Canada Winter Games. He’s an elite skater. He’s got all the tools in the tool box. He definitely has the ability to finish, even though it didn’t quite come out last year. We’re looking for him to have some pop. We’ve got really high expectations for Jack.”
Photo credits: Christina Jean Photography (Pfoh), CSSHL (Shepard, Armstrong), Dan Hickling (Creech), Garrett James Photography (Kesselring), Target Photography (Merner, Bakker), Island Images (McNeill)
