Pair Of Eagles Alumni Drafted

Saturday was a great day for a pair of former Surrey Eagles stalwarts, as both Devon Toews and Danton Heinen were selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia.

Toews, who just completed his freshman season at Quinnipiac University after helping lead the Eagles to the semi-final of the RBC Cup in 2013, was taken 108th overall by the New York Islanders. In 37 games played with the Bobcats, the Abbotsford native tallied 1 goal and 17 points. Toews, never afraid to jump in offensively during his time in the BCHL, put up 97 points in 131 regular-season and playoff appearances in Eagles silks. His list of Junior "A" accolades is just as fruitful, including honours as the BCHL Coastal Conference and RBC Cup Top Defenseman in 2013.

The Eagles' outgoing captain, Danton Heinen, was selected 8 picks after Toews, as the Boston Bruins nabbed the reigning BCHL Rookie of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player 116th overall. The Langley product, who joined Surrey after a Keystone Cup triumph with the Junior "B" Richmond Sockeyes in 2013, led the Eagles in scoring with 61 points, all while putting up just 8 minutes in penalties. Heinen was an unstoppable force during the second half of the 2013-14 BCHL season, and will be taking his talents to the University of Denver this fall.

It should come as no surprise that the Bruins took notice of Heinen's breakout season: Boston's assistant general manager, Scott Bradley, is the uncle of Eagles assistant coach Brad Tobin. Not only that, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is part of the ownership group of the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints, with whom current University of Denver bench boss Jim Montgomery used to coach.

Congratulations to both Devon and Danton on what must have been an exhilarating day, and all the best in the future!

Fordy Commits To Eagles; Showcase Schedule Announced

The Eagles announced yesterday the signing of a fourth local player for the 2014-15 season, as forward Liam Fordy (96) committed to join Surrey this winter.

The sizeable youngster joins the Eagles from the Delta Ice Hawks, with whom he played less than half of last season due to injury. Fordy attended the Eagles recent spring camp and was a part of the Earl Marriott Secondary Academy program that enjoys practice time at the South Surrey Arena during the season.

A press release issued by the team follows:

SURREY – The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club are pleased to announce the commitment of forward and Surrey native Liam Fordy for the 2014-15 BCHL season.

Fordy, 17, joins the Eagles from the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Delta Ice Hawks, with whom he recorded 1 goal and 5 assists in an injured shorten season. The year prior, Fordy spend time with the Valley West Hawks, Grandview Steelers and Semi Midget A1 Ravens. Liam, the son of Chief Superintendent of the RCMP Bill Fordy, comes to the Eagles at 6’1”, 205 lbs. 

“It means a lot to become a Surrey Eagle.” The 1996 Born player said, “It is pretty special to think about how my family and friends will be able to see me compete every single night.”

Fordy, another Earl Marriott Hockey Academy product, could only thank the Academy for helping him get where he is today. “EMS was amazing for me. I have held my share of injuries, so I couldn’t play much, but at the Academy I was able to work on my skills, and gain the extra time needed In the gym to stay where I needed to be.”

Local RCMP Superintendent Bill Fordy admires how the Eagles have stayed true to their word on going with local players. “I think it is a tremendous honour for any young man to play for the Surrey Eagles. I am very proud of Liam and feel very fortunate that I will be able to watch him play in his hometown, with family and friends. I also think that it is fantastic that the club is supporting local kids and giving them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I am excited about the season and look forward to seeing familiar faces in the arena.”

Liam and the Eagles have their home opener on September 26th to save the date and Support Local Wild Life.

Welcome, Liam, to the Eagles family!

Showcase Schedule Revealed: For the third consecutive year, the BCHL will kick off its season with a weekend showcase at Chilliwack's Prospera Centre. The 2014 Bauer BCHL Showcase will take place September 19th to 21st, with each of the league's 16 teams playing two games that count in the final regular-season standings. For the second straight year, Surrey will face a pair of Interior division opponents:

Friday, September 19: vs. PENTICTON VEES, 7:30 pm (Main rink)
Sunday, September 21: vs. SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS, 5:30 pm (Secondary rink)

The full BCHL schedule should be released soon, with the traditional regular-season schedule set to get underway on Friday, September 26th.

Eagles Re-Acquire Hannoun, Add Butcher

The Eagles and Vernon Vipers announced this week the future considerations owing from a deal involving former Surrey captain Brett Mulcahy just prior to the January 10th deadline, with the Eagles acquiring two offensive catalysts in Demico Hannoun and Ben Butcher from the 2014 RBC Cup hosts.

Hannoun's CJHL rights revert to Surrey after one season in the North Okanagan. The North Delta product was a key member of the Eagles' run to the 2013 RBC Cup semi-final. Hannoun put up 44 points in Vernon last year, finishing fifth in team scoring, and in three seasons in the BCHL has tallied 103 total points. The guy can score: my first memory of Hannoun was a first-period hat-trick he scored at South Surrey Arena against my former club, Trail, back in January of 2012.

Butcher, from Bellingham, spent last season in Chilliwack, where he tallied 31 points (13-18) with the re-building Chiefs. The son of former Canuck Garth Butcher, Ben should fit nicely into Surrey's top six as a power forward. The 19 year-old has put up a total of 49 points in 111 career BCHL regular-season games with the Chiefs and Rivermen.

Welcome back Demico, and welcome to the Eagles Ben!

To complete the deal, Surrey did send goaltender Devon Fordyce to the Vipers. I'm sure "Fordy" will do well with a fresh start in Vernon; he's a first-class young man and a hard worker to boot. Good luck with the Snakes!

Catching Up: Eagles Commit To Local Pair

The Eagles continue to add new, local pieces to their 2014-15 lineup and over the past week, have announced the signing of a pair of forwards who spent last season as part of the club's affiliate crop.

18 year-old Quinn Lenihan joins the club from the PJHL's Grandview Steelers, with whom he spent the last two seasons, capping off a Junior "B" career with a 14-goal output in 2013-14. Lenihan opened his BCHL account back on January 10th with a goal against the Spruce Kings in Prince George; his 6'3" frame provides an injection of size into Surrey's forward ranks too.

19 year-old Sam Chatterley returns to the Nest, but in a full-time role next season after 12 regular-season and playoff appearances as an AP in 2013-14. Chatterley spent most of last season with the PJHL's Delta Ice Hawks, and will bring a hard-hitting, energetic style of play to the South Surrey Arena next year.

With the club's renewed philosophy on developing and celebrating local talent, it's no surprise to see Lenihan and Chatterley, who both put in workmanlike efforts during their call-ups last year, given a shot this coming season. And with the departures of top-six pieces like last year's captain Danton Heinen, the Renouf twins and Braedan Russell, the opportunity certainly exists for the new recruits to earn plenty of ice-time, and responsibility, up front.

The full releases from the team follow:

SURREY – The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club are pleased to announce the commitment of forward and Surrey native Quinn Lenihan for the 2014-15 BCHL season.

Lenihan, 17, joins the Eagles from the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s Grandview Steelers, with whom he recorded 14 goals and 28 points in 44 games played during the 2013-14 season, finishing fourth in team scoring. Lenihan also tied for the team lead in power-play markers with 8. In two campaigns with the Steelers, the 6’4”, 210-pound forward totalled 41 points and 44 minutes in penalties from 77 games played.

Lenihan was signed by the Eagles as an affiliate player during the 2013-14 season, appearing in 4 regular-season and 5 playoff games. He scored his first BCHL goal January 10th “It was always a big goal of mine to play with the Surrey Eagles, as a local kid, so this is very exciting.” 

Said Lenihan. “When we were playing in Semi the Eagles were the guys we look up to and now getting to be one of those guys is a big responsibility and I will take a lot of pride in it.”

Lenihan, a Semiahmoo product, is a player than went through the local Minor Hockey Development at Semiahmoo and also attended the Earl Marriott Hockey Academy and is now going to be suiting up for his local Junior A team.

“Quinn is a local player that we have big hopes for this coming season.” Said the Director of Hockey Operations, Blaine Neufeld, “He is a big skilled player, but I believe his most effective aspect of his game is his awareness. He will be able to fit in and contribute right away with our group.” 

Further player announcements will be made in the coming weeks. Welcome, Quinn, to the Eagles family!

SURREY - The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club are pleased to announce the commitment of forward and White Rock native Sam Chatterley to the 2014/15 BCHL Season.

Chatterley was signed by the Eagles as an affiliate player during the 2013/14 season, appearing in 8 regular-season and 4 playoff games. His intensity and never stop attitude was electric at the South Surrey Arena.

"Becoming an Eagle is an honour and I am very excited about the opportunity," said Chatterley. "Growing up in White Rock/Surrey I have always wanted to play for the Eagles and I cannot wait to feel the continued support from family and friends at the South Surrey Arena."

When asked what type of player he is, Sam responded, "I feel that I have a lot to offer our team. I don't shy away from the tough areas on the ice and my focus is to give it my all night in and night out."

Chatterley, a Semiahmoo product, is a player who went through the local minor hockey development at Semiahmoo before suiting up for the Valley West Hawks, of the Major Midget League, for two seasons and played last season with the Delta Ice Hawks.  

"Sam is a mature player. Coming in as a 19 year old allows us to look to him to be consistent in his efforts night in and night out," said the Director of Hockey Operations, Blaine Neufeld. "He plays on the edge and I would imagine the local players will feed off his energy and passion. Sam will be a fun player to watch and lines up with our local player model towards building a community team."

The Surrey Eagles continue to grow with local players, be sure to come out and support your local boys!

Welcome, Sam, to the Eagles Family!