Presented by Chevrolet.
In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2023-24 season, we will go team-by-team to profile new players entering the league for the upcoming season, including scouting reports from the coaches.
This year, we will go in reverse order of how the teams finished last season, starting with the two clubs that missed the playoffs and ending with the two league finalists. Next up is the Powell River Kings.
+++
After missing out on the playoffs in 2021-22, Powell River made their return to the postseason dance last year after finishing seventh in the Coastal Conference with a record of 20-26-5-3. They matched up with the Surrey Eagles in the first round and were beaten in five games.
The team’s head coach Brock Sawyer, who is also a Kings alumnus, having suited up for the team for a season and a half from 2006 to 2008, is entering his 10th year behind the Powell River bench and his fourth as head coach, previously serving as an assistant up until 2020-21.
We caught up with Sawyer to discuss his new recruits for the coming season and a pair of offseason acquisitions via trade.
New recruits
Owen Crudale (2005, G)
Hometown: Poway, Calif.- Previous team: Anaheim Jr. Ducks (18U AAA)
Crudale finished last season with highly impressive numbers for the Jr. Ducks program. In 33 18U games, he posted a .931 save percentage and a 1.75 goals-against average. In Tier 1 Elite Hockey League competition, Crudale was even better, putting up a .953 save percentage and a 1.19 goals-against average.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a goalie that was recommended by our assistant coach Kyle Bodie. Doing our homework on him, there’s a lot of Division I interest. He was someone we felt like we needed to go out and get, not just for this year, but for our future. He had a great showing at the USA Nationals with the Jr. Ducks. His coach there, August Aiken, is a BCHL alum and speaks very highly of him. We feel like we’re getting a great goalie, but also a great person to bring into our program.”
Ben Ramsey (2005, D)
Hometown: Lake Country, B.C.- Previous team: Thompson Blazers AAA (BCEHL U18)
Ramsey tied for the Blazers team lead in scoring last year and also tied for fourth overall in BCEHL defenceman scoring with 26 points in 34 games. His 24 assists were also tops on the Blazers and second most in the league among blueliners. Ramsey played in a trio of games with the Kings last year as an affiliate.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Ben is a tall defenceman who skates well for his size. He’s got all the ability and the intangibles to be a good defenceman in this league. For him, he understands there will be a growth process when we get him in here and work with him day to day. I believe he was our first commit that we signed in the middle of the season. We’re excited to have him.”
Carter Lundie (2006, F)
Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.- Previous team: Burnaby Winter Club Prep (CSSHL U18)
Lundie was exactly a point per game player with Burnaby Winter Club last year, notching 32 points in 32 games on a team-best 19 goals and 13 helpers. He also played in six games with Powell River as an affiliate and scored twice.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Carter is a good young man with good ability. He fit right into our lineup last year. We’re looking for him to come in and just use his skillset to contribute to our team. He already knows the expectations here and what we’re building towards. We’re excited to have him.
Alex Bosland (2005, D)
Hometown: Basking Ridge, N.J.- Previous team: Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
- College commitment: University of Maine
Bosland had the most points by a defenceman on his team last year at Mount St. Charles Academy. The 18-year-old put up nine goals, 27 assists and 36 points in 66 games across all competition.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a good, young defenceman who skates well, moves the puck and has good instincts. He’s a player we targeted early in the offseason and were fortunate enough to bring him in. We’re looking for him to compliment our defence corps and use his strengths to contribute to our team.”
Jace Harder (2006, F)
Hometown: Lake Country, B.C.- Previous team: RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna (CSSHL U18)
Harder was a highly productive player for his U18 team last season, notching 32 goals, 26 assists and 58 points in 77 games across all competition.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a big, strong forward who showed well at our spring camp. We thought he could come in and play a role as a young player. We think he can help us, but we also think we can help him in his development. We’re excited to see him use his strength, size and abilities this year.”
Joonas Linnavuori (2003, F)
Hometown: Helsinki, Finland- Previous team: Jukurit (U20 SM-sarja)
Linnavuori played for two teams in the Finnish junior league last year, starting with Kiekko-Espoo and finishing with Jukurit. He totalled seven goals and four assists in 24 total regular-season games.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“He’s a player we got in touch with through an advisor that recommended him. He skates very well. He has very good hands and vision. He can absolutely rip a puck. He’s an experienced 20-year-old guy who had success and played on a winning team over in Finland. We’re excited to bring him in and see what he can do in North America. He’s got goals and aspirations of playing Division I hockey. We’re hoping his time in Powell River can help him achieve that.”
Owen Thomas (2005, D)
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.- Previous team: Corpus Christi IceRays (NAHL)
- College commitment: Providence College
Thomas played in 48 NAHL games with Corpus Christi last year and one USHL contest with the Fargo Force.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Owen is a big defenceman. He didn’t produce many points in the NAHL last year, but he’s a guy who skates well for his size. He has good hands and a crisp first pass. His hockey sense is also very good. He came highly recommended to us. He defends very well, has a good stick and uses his size accordingly. He’s only 18, but he brings that junior experience.”
Tresor Wotton (2003, G)
Hometown: Foxwarren, Man.- Previous team: Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)
Watton brings two years of junior experience, having split the last two seasons between the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. With Waywayseecappo last year, he compiled a 22-14-2 record with an .897 save percentage and two shutouts.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“As an older guy, he was looking to get a bit more exposure, so he targeted the BCHL . We had him out in early June to visit Powell River and check things out and he fell in love with it. We’re looking for him to come in and solidify our crease with Owen [Crudale] and kind of mentor him, but also push him to be a good goalie and handle his own business.”
Acquired via trade
Matthew Lee (2005, F)
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ont.- Previous team: West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
The Kings acquired Lee in a June 19 trade with West Kelowna. He was limited to just 19 regular-season games last year with the Warriors due to injury. In that time, he had two goals and five assists and also suited up for five postseason contests.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“Matt is excited to come. It was a bit of a tough year last year for him. He had some good numbers early, but then got hurt. We’re hoping he can come in, stay healthy and contribute to our team. The sample size he had last year was intriguing for us and we’re looking for him to establish himself this year.”
Kailus Green (2004, F)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.- Previous team: West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
Green, acquired along with Lee in the same trade with the Warriors, had nine goals and six assists in 50 regular-season games with West Kelowna last year and played five of six postseason contests. Off the ice, he was recognized for his work in the community as the Warriors recipient of the Kyle Turris Community Award.
Sawyer’s scouting report:
“We’re excited to see what he can do in Powell River. He had a good season last year in West K, but we’re hoping a change in scenery can help him find his game a little bit more, so he can pop off offensively.”
+++
Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Crudale, Bosland), CSSHL (Lundie, Harder), Garrett James Photography (Lee, Green)
