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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 Victoria Grizzlies.
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The 2022-23 Victoria Grizzlies finished the season in sixth place in the Coastal Conference with a 26-20-5-3 record. They matched up with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Round 1 of the playoffs and were defeated in four games.
Veteran BCHL coach Rylan Ferster, who started his coaching career in the league back in the 1999-2000 season, is back for his second year behind the Grizzlies bench. A former player in the league as well, Ferster had another offseason to put his stamp on the roster. He walks us through the new additions to the team this summer.
New recruits
Charlie Gollob (2004, F)
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.- Previous team: Avon Old Farms School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Brown University
Gollob was his team’s second-leading scorer in 2022-23 after putting up 38 points in 28 games on 13 goals and a team-best 25 assists. He also suited up for 24 games with the Buffalo Regals 18U program where he led the team in scoring with 39 points in 24 games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a big centreman who has a really good offensive touch to his game.”
Patrick Murphy (2005, F)
Hometown: North Kingstown, R.I.- Previous team: Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
- College commitment: Brown University
Murphy was Mount St. Charles’ top point producer last season with 65 points in 67 games across all competition.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a skilled forward who shoots the puck really hard.”
Chase Pirtle (2005, F)
Hometown: Far Hills, N.J.- Previous team: Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
- College commitment: Cornell University
Another top scorer from Mount St. Charles, Pirtle put up 51 points on 24 goals and 27 assists in 56 games across all competition.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a really good forward. He’s a complete 200-foot player with a good offensive side to his game.”
Owen Bresson (2006, G)
Hometown: Dominion, N.S.- Previous team: South Kent School (16U AAA)
Bresson posted a .920 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average in 25 games with South Kent’s 16U squad. He was also called upon for eight matches with the 18U team and had a .929 save percentage and a 2.54 GAA.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a really good young goalie who we brought in to play along with [returning goalie] Oliver Auyeung-Ashton. We’re excited to have him. He’s a big kid who moves well.”
Cullen Emery (2005, F)
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.- Previous team: Dexter Southfield School (USHS-Prep)
Emery tied for Dexter Southfield’s team lead in goals with 11 in 25 games. He added 11 assists to finish with 22 points. Emery also put up six goals and nine assists with the Boston Junior Eagles for a team-high 15 points in 14 games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Cullen is a good-skating forward who plays a 200-foot game.”
Drew Hockley (2005, D)
Hometown: Kentville, N.S.- Previous team: Mount Academy Saints (18U AAA)
As one of his team’s go-to options on defence, Hockley contributed 56 points in 61 games across all competition last season.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a bigger defenceman with a long reach and a good stick. He moves well too.”
Simon Ward (2007, F)
Hometown: Trail, B.C.- Previous team: St. George’s School Prep (CSSHL U18)
Playing the entire season as a 15-year-old, Ward put up 11 points in 29 games for St. George’s U18 team. He also affiliated in a pair of games with the Grizzlies last year.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Simon is a young 16-year-old with really good size. He’s already strong like a man. He skates really well.”
Landon Mackie (2006, F)
Hometown: Victoria, B.C.- Previous team: Pacific Coast Academy Prep (CSSHL U18)
Mackie’s 20 goals last year with Pacific Coast Academy were the most on the team. He added 21 assists to finish with 41 points in 33 games. Mackie also played in five games with the Grizzlies last year as an affiliate.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a local kid who spent a lot of time with us last year. He plays the game hard and has a really good shot. He sees the game well too.”
Richard Baran (2005, D)
Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia- Previous team: South Kent School (18U AAA)
- College commitment: Arizona State University
After previously playing his youth hockey in Slovakia and Sweden, Baran came to North America last year and played for South Kent School in Connecticut. He was the team’s second-highest scoring blueliner with 24 points in 43 games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Richard is an offensive-minded defenceman. He’s a really good skater that should be able to help out on the offensive side of things.”
Simon Gaul (2004, F)
Hometown: St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que.- Previous team: South Kent School (18U AAA)
Gaul was the captain of South Kent’s 18U team last year. He totaled 22 goals, 20 assists and 42 points over 51 contests.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s an older kid who is more of a power-forward type of player.”
Spencer Caines (2005, F)
Hometown: Pasadena, N.L.- Previous team: Western Kings U18 AAA (NLU18MHL)
Caines averaged over two points per game with his 18U team in Newfoundland last year, leading the Kings with 61 points in 30 games. His 34 goals were also the most on the team.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a big kid who shoots the puck really hard. We watched him closely last year and he looked good. He’s another player that we like a lot.”
Luke Chappelle (2005, D)
Hometown: Trenton, Mich.- Previous team: Maine Nordiques (18U AAA)
Chappelle was an offensive force for the Nordiques 18U program last year. His 65 points in 67 contests was the most among all defencemen on his team.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a feisty defenceman who plays the game hard. He’s a bit of a throwback type of player.”
Maddox Tulacro (2005, D)
Hometown: Ashton, Md.- Previous team: Mount St. Charles Academy (18U AAA)
Tulacro is the third player from Mount St. Charles Academy that the Grizzlies brought in this offseason, having spent the past three seasons in the program. He was an assistant captain last year and totaled 23 points in 64 games across all competition.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Maddox is a big defenceman. He’s kind of a throwback player who plays the game really hard.”
Joseph Macchione (2005, F)
Hometown: Streetsville, Ont.- Previous team: Fort Erie Meteors (GOJHL)
Macchione played Junior B in Ontario last year with Fort Erie where he was their leading scorer with 61 points in 41 games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a feisty forward who plays the game really hard. He’s a bit of a Brad Marchand type of player.”
Malcolm Green (2005, F)
Hometown: Bedford, N.S.- Previous team: Cushing Academy (USHS-Prep)
Green scored nine goals and added eight assists in 31 games last year with Cushing Academy.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“He’s a big centreman who plays 200 feet. He’s also got a good stick.”
Nathan Casey (2004, F)
Hometown: Grand Falls, N.L.- Previous team: Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Casey played the past three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, most recently with Saint John in 2022-23 where he suited up for seven games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Nathan brings a lot of experience with him as a 19-year-old with Major Junior experience. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do for us.”
Acquired via trade
Brayden Skogstad (2005, F)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.- Previous team: Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)
The Grizzlies acquired Skogstad on June 1 as part of a futures deal with the Spruce Kings last season. In his first full year in the BCHL, he had a goal and two assists in 31 games.
Ferster’s scouting report:
“Brayden is a veteran player who is another 200-foot guy.”
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Photo credits: Dan Hickling (Gollob, Chappelle), CSSHL (Ward, Mackie), Garrett James Photography (Skogstad)
