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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 is the Spruce Grove Saints.
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The Spruce Grove Saints finished fifth in the BCHL’s Alberta Division in 2023-24 and were defeated by the Okotoks Oilers in the wildcard round.
Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, we speak with Saints head coach Ryan Marsh about the moves his team made this offseason.
New recruits
Max Seguin (2004, F)
Hometown: Orleans, Ont.- Previous team: Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
- College commitment: Princeton University
Seguin totaled a combined 111 points in 113 games for Bonnyville over the past two seasons.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“Max is a big add for us. We brought him in to be a really good two-way player that can play in all situations. He’ll be a leader on this team. He’s got a presence about him. He’s just a really smart, cerebral player. Max finds ways to get to the right spots both offensively and defensively. He’s a player that we went really hard after and he’ll be a key piece to our success this year.”
Xander Miceli (2005, G)
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.- Previous team: Cornwall Colts (CCHL)
Miceli posted a .915 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average in the regular season for Cornwall last year to go along with five shutouts and a record of 15-8-0.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“This is a big recruit for us as well. He’s a big goaltender, right around 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5. He’s someone we’ve been looking at for a while, so we were really happy to be able to sign him and bring him in to compliment Ryan De Kok who is returning from last year’s team. We think we have a really good tandem back there. We felt we needed to get a bit bigger in net and he certainly provides that.”
Josh Polak (2006, F)
Hometown: Strathcona County, Alta.- Previous team: Shawnigan Lake School Prep (CSSHL)
Polak led Shawnigan Lake in points last year with 53 in 30 games, a total that tied him for 11th in all of the CSSHL. He went on to play seven regular-season BCHL games with Spruce Grove, scoring a goal and adding two assists. He also suited up for all three of their wildcard series game, chipping in with one helper.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“He’s an exciting right-shot forward who will bring speed to our group. He got some valuable experience by joining us late last season and in the playoffs. We’re excited to add his versatility and ability to play both centre and wing.”
Alexy Lachaine (2006, F)
Hometown: Blainville, Que.- Previous team: Culver Military Academy (USHS-Prep)
Lachaine played for Culver Military Academy from 2022 to 2024. Last year, he tied for the team lead in scoring with 38 points in 47 league games, while his 17 goals were also most on his team.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“We’ve had our eye on him for the last few years and built a good relationship with him. We’re very excited to be able to recruit him. He’s the type of player that fits the identity of a Spruce Grove Saint. He’s a hard worker, like a dog on a bone with the puck. He gets to the hard areas of the ice. He also has some skill around the net and a good shot from distance. He can be an energy driver for our team.”
Zach Losier (2005, F)
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ont.- Previous team: Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
Losier scored 16 goals and added seven assists for 23 points in 41 games for Merritt last year.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“He brings a little bit of what we didn’t have last year. He’s a shooter. He finds ways to get into soft areas and get his shot away. We were looking for someone to be a bit of a trigger player for us, whether it’s at 5-on-5 or on the power play. He’s a big body that will go to the net and get to the dirty areas.”
Oscar Wu (2006, D)
Hometown: Vaughan, Ont.- Previous team: St. Andrew’s College (U18 AAA)
Wu put up five goals, 25 assists and 30 points in 53 games for St. Andrew’s during league play in 2023-24.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“He’s very mobile. He skates really well. He’s a passionate player – he just loves the game. He has aspirations to move on and secure something at the Division I level. From what we’ve seen from him so far, we’re really excited about the way he moves, his presence on the ice and the details in his game.”
Gabriel Kenny (2006, D)
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich.- Previous team: Shawnigan Lake School Prep (CSSHL U18)
Kenny played the past two seasons at Shawnigan Lake and was their second highest scoring defenceman in 2023-24 with 18 points in 25 games. He played one game for Spruce Grove last year as an affiliate.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“Gabriel has super-high character. He’s been a captain or assistant captain for his teams coming up through the ranks of minor hockey. He’s very hard to play against. He’s a big, physical type of defenceman with range and who can lean on guys. We’re looking for him to come in and give us some depth and physicality.
Adam Perron (2006, F)
Hometown: Fredericton, N.B.- Previous team: Calgary Rockies (JPHL U18)
Perron was the overall second leading scorer in the JPHL last season, finishing his campaign with 48 points in 33 games, just two back of the top spot.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“Adam will bring size and a power-forward element to our team. He is a forward with range and who is willing to go to the hard areas. He also brings a physical component to his game. He uses his frame to protect pucks well and has good touch around the net.”
Jack Muhlfeld (2006, F)
Hometown: Whitefish, Mont.- Previous team: Island Wild (JPHL U18)
Muhlfeld was his team’s leading scorer last season with 36 points in 31 games, including a team-best 19 goals.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“He caught our eye after putting up some really good numbers in the JPHL last year. We brought him in at the end of the year just to come in and practice a bit and he left a really good impression. We’re looking to provide some healthy competition in our lineup and some forward depth. We’re excited to see what he can do when we get to main camp.”
Joseph Quintilio (2007, G)
Hometown: St. Alberta, Alta.- Previous team: HC Edmonton (JPHL U18)
Quintilio had a .923 save percentage last year to go along with a 1.52 goals-against average, a record of 13-3-0 and five shutouts.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“Joseph is a talented young goaltender with good size. He will provide good depth and healthy competition within our goaltending group.”
Acquired via trade
Brody Juck (2005, D)
Hometown: Coquitlam, B.C.- Previous team: Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL)
Juck’s BCHL rights were acquired by the Saints in a June 25 trade with the Trail Smoke Eaters. The 18-year-old had a breakout year offensively with Lloyminster last season, piling up 41 points in 54 games. The year prior, he suited up for 43 BCHL games with Trail.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“I had a chance to see him up close during his time in Alberta. We thought he would be a really good fit for us and what we want to do as we build our defence corps. He moves well. He’s a big body. He’s got high character. I’m really impressed with his details on and off the ice, as well as his leadership. We kept some core guys from last year, but wanted to add some pieces around them.
Austin Peters (2004, F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.- Previous team: Chilliwack Chiefs
- College commitment: University of Maine
In his first BCHL season, Peters notched 17 points in 42 games with Chilliwack. Prior to that, he spent two years with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Saints acquired him in a July 16 trade with the Chiefs.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“We felt like we needed to add a player like him with a high skill set and some speed. We’ve had some good chats with him since the trade. He’s someone we’re going to count on to drive our offence. The fact that he’s a 20-year-old with experience, we’re looking for him to be a key part of our group.”
Wesley Golden (2005, D)
Hometown: Grande Prairie, Alta.- Previous team: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
Golden brings three years of junior experience to the Saints lineup, playing in 43 contests with Cowichan Valley last year and another two seasons with the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League from 2021 to 2023. He was acquired by Spruce Grove in a July 4 trade with the Capitals.
Marsh’s scouting report:
“We’re excited to bring in a veteran presence on our back end with some BCHL experience. He’s a big body with high character and has Alberta roots. I’ve spent some time with him in the offseason and have been really impressed so far.”
Photo credits: CSSHL (Polak, Kenny), Dan Hickling (Lachaine, Wu), Christina Gillett (Losier), Darren Francis (Peters), Island Images (Golden)
