Bulldogs visit Capitals tonight to open 2018-2019 season, Name Leadership group

The puck finally drops on the 2018-2019 British Columbia Hockey League season tonight, as the Bulldogs visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals in Duncan at the Island Savings Centre.

For those that are new - yes, that's the BIG STICK, which is in fact the biggest in the world!

Opening Night is always exciting, and one that has been circled on the calendar from the day the schedule has been released. From a personal standpoint, I'm of course excited to get back on the air and into the booth.

It's of course exciting for players and fans around the league, and for the communities that these teams call home. Speaking of HOME, I can't wait for the first home game a week from tonight. There's no better place to call a game! I'm already getting ahead of myself though, as it's all about the now and nothing more.

It's an exciting night from the players perspective no doubt to finally get going again, as it's been a long spring and summer of training on and off-ice to get ready for this moment. Suddenly, the moment is here. For some players, this is a night that will never happen again, and one they'll always remember - their first career Junior game....or Bulldog game, or BCHL game etc.

I for one, am tired of waiting for it and talking about it and typing about it. There is so much more to say, but I'll let the game speak for itself. Drop the puck already!

Pacific Chevrolet Bulldogs Hockey on 93.3 The Peak FM is on the air tonight for the pregame show at 6:45, with the puck drop and play-by-play to follow after the Home Opener pomp and circumstance and ceremonies. 

I'll handle the play-by-play and hosting duties while Dan Tisserand will compile team and player statistics throughout the game. 

Tonight's 2nd Intermission guest is Dan Marshall, play-by-play voice of the Nanaimo Clippers on our sister station 106.9 The Wolf, with the Bulldogs visiting the Clippers Sunday afternoon. 

If you aren't in listening range of 93.3 The Peak FM you can listen/watch the game by:

Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.hockeytv.com




Late last night - or very early this morning, the Bulldogs announced their Leadership group for the 2018-2019 season. Great choices all around in my opinion. Read more below. 

TYLER VANUDEN NAMED TEAM CAPTAIN; HORA, RIZZOLO & WALTER NAMED AS ALTERNATES

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are pleased to announce that 20-year old  
forward Tyler Vanuden has been named team captain for the 2018/19  
British Columbia Hockey League season. Defencemen Spencer Hora, Darren  
Rizzolo and Marcus Walter have been named as alternate captains.

Vanuden is entering his second season as a Bulldog after joining the  
team in October 2017 via a trade with the AJHL's Brooks Bandits. The  
former Victoria Cougar made an immediate impact, scoring 19 points in  
34 regular season games while earning an 'A' on his sweater following  
the January trade deadline.

"Tyler is a positive, energetic guy who loves the game and shows up  
every day ready to set the tone with his work ethic and enthusiasm,"  
says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. "He has the respect of everybody  
in our dressing room as well as our coaching and training staff, and  
we're excited to see him take on more leadership responsibility in his  
20-year old season."

Rizzolo is the longest-tenured player on the Bulldogs roster, having  
suited up in 95 games dating back to the 2016/17 campaign, while Hora  
was acquired in a January trade from the West Kelowna Warriors and  
Walter joined the team in June from the NAHL's Springfield Junior Blues.

"Darren, Spencer and Marcus are all experienced, team-first guys who  
bring different positive qualities to our group," says Hughes. "All  
three are highly deserving of this opportunity and will be leaned on  
heavily in what we expect to be a very competitive and successful  
season."

Vanuden and the Bulldogs open the 2018/19 season on Friday at Cowichan  
Valley with a roster that features 10 returning players, three summer  
trade acquisitions and 10 rookies.

"I'm very excited to be named captain of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs,"  
says Vanuden. "It's a huge honour to have the trust of my teammates  
and coaches. I'm looking forward to the challenge and responsibility  
of being counted on to lead by example both on and off the ice."

***

For more information, please contact:

Matt Hughes

____________________________________________________________

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Broadcast expectations , Bulldogs add Demers, move Selleck

Hello and thanks for stopping by the blog. With the Regular Season opening tomorrow, it's time for my annual informational post in regards to what to expect when you tune in to Bulldogs Hockey on93.3 The Peak FM (or another medium) through the next 58 games, and any subsequent playoff games.


First and foremost - understand the medium. Which means - we're broadcasting on radio. We are your eyes. My primary goal is to enable those not at the game to SEE the game. I very much understand that some people are watching the pay-per-view and can SEE the game and they might get too much, but the people that can't see the game need more, not less!


Some insight into the broadcast philosophy... as a general rule, I will always try to be positive. At the same time I try to be honest. The core fan base of this team from day one is an educated one. They want me to "call a spade a shovel" and not sugar coat things. Having said that, I'm well aware that there is always one fan on one side of the fence, and one on the other side of the fence. It is one of the challenges and benefits of having such a great fan base and community here that cares for the team and is involved with the team on many levels. There's also a few fans standing ON TOP of the fence - not sure what side they are on. Ha. 


The  job isn't an easy one, as I am always walking the fine fine fine line of not wanting to offend the parent/fan/billet/sponsor that is looking for entertainment, and something to root for and get emotionally invested in. The other side are the true hockey people/fans/parents etc. They want to know the REAL SCOOP. They want BLAME outright, and ANSWERS why the team isn't winning, or why they are winning, and they might have an agenda.


In my opinion there isn't anything wrong with being on one side of that or the other either! In the end the hockey is great, and it's highly competitive. You win some, you lose some, you can't win them all and the line between both results is sometimes - or more often than not - razor thin.


In the end, I'm just "calling it like I see it" as my employer (for those that don't know, it's 93.3 The Peak FM and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, LP, not the Alberni Valley Bulldogs that signs my cheques, a very common misconception) wants me to do, and as I have done for about 1000 games over the last 16 years or so. Why? Because it hasn't failed me yet. People won't always like what they hear, or don't hear, but I simply can't help it if the game on the ice isn't going the way you want for the team - or an individual on the team.


I'm pretty excited for the season, drop the puck already!

I'm very happy to inform you that we have Van Isle Ford (home games) and Pacific Chevrolet (away games) back as our title sponsors this year - if you appreciate the broadcasts, thank them with your business!


We begin our broadcasts approximately 15 minutes to puck drop with our pregame show where we speak with coaches from both sides of the puck about the game and current events. We end the game with a post game show with a game recap, a chit chat from a member of the Bulldog Coaching staff, post game show awards and out of town scoreboard updates. In between periods, we speak with Bulldog players both past and present, as well as Coaches/Broadcasters/Executives from around the BCHL and who knows where else!


If you are interesting in being a sponsor on Bulldog Broadcasts, the more the merrier - contact our sales staff at 93.3 The Peak at 250-723-2455, we have plenty of options from big to small available!

( L: Bruce MacDonald, M: Dan Tisserand, R: Evan Hammond)

Listeners are very lucky to have a couple great guys in the booth providing game analyis, colour commentary and team and individual statistics. For home games and select road games Bruce MacDonald is back to provide colour commentary and analysis. For select home and road games,  Dan Tisserand is again also back to provide team and individual game statistics. Both are amazing people, and passionate about the game, and the Bulldogs. 


Options for listening  / watching the game, beside the trusty radio are:

Listening Live on your computer: www.933thepeak.com
Listening Live on your SmartPhone : www.tunein.com/mobile/
Watching Live on your computer/SmartPhone www.hockeytv.com

Also a huge thanks to ALL our sponsors that make the broadcasts happen. Fans that have listened before will know that we strive to put together a professional big-league broadcast, and in my humble and very biased opinion, I think we accomplish that.

If you appreciate and like the broadcasts, please thank the sponsors that make them all happen with your business!

If there is something you don't like, we always welcome your feedback - drop me a line by the contact form here on the blog. 

We would love to hear from you throughout the season - feedback, comments, complaints, criticism - constructive or otherwise, an interesting stat or fact about your son or brother or family member that may be on the team, where you might be listening to the game from, etc etc. 

The Bulldogs announced a pair of deals yesterday - read below for full details. I wouldn't want to wear the GM Hat this time of year...welcome to the team Cole, and best of luck and thanks for your service to the team and community Paul. 

BULLDOGS ADD GOALTENDER DEMERS FROM WARRIORS, DEAL SELLECK TO CAPS

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have announced a pair  
of trades leading up to opening of the 2018/19 British Columbia Hockey  
League season on Friday, acquiring 1999-born goaltender Cole Demers  
from the West Kelowna Warriors while dealing 1998-born forward Paul  
Selleck to the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

Demers joins the Bulldogs following two seasons in West Kelowna, where  
he compiled a record of 17 wins and 27 losses with a 3.60  
goals-against average and .897 save-percentage. The Kelowna product  
previously starred with the B.C. Major Midget League's Okanagan  
Rockets, leading all BCMML goaltenders with 18 wins during the 2015/16  
campaign.

"Cole is an experienced BCHL netminder who will be able to compete  
with and support John Hawthorne and give us a very good tandem in  
goal," says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. "Cole has also been  
described to us as a hard worker and a great teammate, so we're happy  
to have him on board."

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have dealt 20-year old forward Paul Selleck to  
the Capitals following a 17-goal, 33-point rookie season.

"Paul is a tremendous young man who was the odd man out after a very  
competitive battle for a limited number of import spots on our  
roster," says Hughes. "We appreciate everything that Paul did for our  
organization on and off the ice last season, and we hope he has a very  
successful year with the Capitals."

The Bulldogs open the 2018/19 regular season on Friday night in  
Cowichan Valley.

***

For more information, please contact:

Matt Hughes

Bulldogs send Liam Lytton to Powell River... season opens FRIDAY!

Hello, Happy Tuesday, and thanks for checking the blog. It was a very LONG long weekend, as I was down at Salmon Fest Saturday through Monday. Now it's right back at it in preparation for the season opener and first broadcast of the season Friday. 

Please read below for details from the Bulldogs regarding a trade made with Powell River. Best of luck with the Kings Liam, and thanks for your service to the team and community. 

Hammer 

19-YEAR OLD FORWARD MOVED AS BULLDOGS' READY FOR 2018/19 REGULAR SEASON

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are closer to  
finalizing their roster for the start of the 2018/19 British Columbia  
Hockey League season after trading 1999-born forward Liam Lytton to  
the Powell River Kings in return for future considerations.

Lytton was acquired by the Bulldogs in December 2017 from the Alberta  
Junior Hockey League's Brooks Bandits but sustained a season-ending  
injury after just three games with the team. He is now back to full  
health and will have the opportunity for a successful season in Powell  
River.

"Liam was only with us a short time but he made a positive impact on  
our team and in our dressing room," says Bulldogs head coach Matt  
Hughes. "We'd like to wish him all the best with the Kings."

The Bulldogs recently concluded their five-game preseason schedule and  
will announce their opening night roster for Friday's game against the  
Cowichan Valley Capitals in the coming days.

***

For more information, please contact:

Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM

Bulldogs vs Clippers updates...

38 seconds in, its 1-0 @ClippersHockey over @AVBulldogs in Parksville. Kovich, from Williams and Lynn. Here's the line ups

@ClippersHockey go up 2-0 at 6:22 of the first on their second consecutive power play on a blast from the point. Jordan Dawson scores with the lone assist to Tyler Williams. @AVBulldogs @GoBCHL

3-0 @ClippersHockey over @AVBulldogs at 9:06 in during four-on-four breakaway finished by Tyler Williams over the glove of Blake Wood. Josh Bourne the lone assist

4-0 @ClippersHockey over @AVBulldogs after one, as at 18:24 of the first, as Connar Wetsch lifts home a cross crease puck. Unassisted. Shots 13-8 Clippers

Sent from my iPhone

Bulldogs visit Clippers tonight at Nanaimo Ice Centre

The Bulldogs have two preseason games remaining, as they prepare for their season opener a week from tonight in Duncan. They'll visit the Clippers tonight at the Nanaimo Ice Centre - NOT the Frank Crane Arena. The teams will meet again tomorrow night at Oceanside Arena in Parksville.

I regret to inform you that I won't be attending tonight's contest, as I'm involved all weekend in the 47th Annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival. I can taste that dinner already!


Having said that - I'll do my best to keep you updated on the proceedings. I'm broadcasting live tomorrow from the festival grounds throughout the morning into the afternoon, but I might attempt to make a roadie with my kids to check out tomorrow night's game to provide some updates.


Hammer

Bulldogs host Capitals tonight, Hockey TV Broadcast

It's the second meeting between these teams in a matter of days tonight at the Multiplex, after a 5-3 Bulldog win last night in Duncan over the Capitals.

It's the Capitals first road game of the exhibition schedule and the final preseason game on home ice for the Bulldogs.

Myself, Bruce MacDonald and Dan Tisserand - play-by-play, colour commentary/analysis and team and individual statistics respectively - will bring the game to you (provided there's no technological hurdles, fingers crossed) on Hockey TV.

I cannot stress enough that this is NO WHERE near the product that you can come to expect throughout the season when we are broadcasting on 93.3 The Peak FM and Hockey TV takes our audio broadcast to sync up with their video pay-per-view.

We won't have any produced elements or much of a pregame show, intermission coverage, interviews, or a post game show or anything along those lines.

We also don't have much lead time when it comes to finding out rosters/line ups and associated names and numbers for players like we do throughout the season, so please keep that in mind. 

It bothers me to put out a less than "finished product" but I know that fans/parents/families etc will appreciate it none the less! 

Once again - this is strictly a volunteer effort to:

a) make sure all our equipment works
b) to make sure I still remember how to do play-by-play (HA) and Bruce still knows how to do colour and analysis and Dan still remembers how to count and tabulate.

and

c) to give you an opportunity to be able to follow the game.

To watch the game, head on over to HOCKEY TV 

Hammer 

Bulldogs visit Capitals tonight, host Capitals tomorrow

The Bulldogs continue their preseason schedule tonight, as they visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Island Savings Centre. The Caps will return the favour tomorrow night and make a trip to the Dog Pound.

The Bulldogs opened their Exhibition schedule Friday night at home, a 6-2 win over the Powell River Kings. The Capitals also opened their preseason schedule at home against Powell River, as they picked up a 5-4 overtime win over the Kings on Saturday night at home.

There will be an audio-only/internet only broadcast tonight, courtesy the voice of the Capitals, Justis Doucet - in advance of the puck drop tonight, just click this link to listen live.

Good news regarding tomorrow night's contest - Bruce MacDonald and I will be volunteering our time to provide a HOCKEY TV ONLY broadcast of the game.

More on that tomorrow!

Thanks as always for stopping by the blog.

Hammer

Bulldogs win Exhibition opener 6-2 over Kings

The Kings take a 1-0 lead just 2:04 into the game on a delayed penalty and a 6 on 5 situation with Mitch Adamyk on the bench for the extra attacker as Nic Porchetta walks across the crease and tucks it past John Hawthorne. Radek Hewson assisted at 2:04.

The Bulldogs go to the power play with 5:33 gone in the first as Neal Samanski is ejected for a check from behind on Dawson Tritt.

The Kings go to a 5 on 3 power play of 95 seconds in duration with just under nine minutes to play in the first with the score still 1-0. Prior to the second penalty being called, Austin Spiradakis skates in on a shorthanded breakaway and beats Adamyk but hits the post and it stays out.

The Bulldogs successfully kill off the penalties, and immediately following the return to 5-aside hockey Aaron Bohlinger walks to the slot with a pretty move and puts a shot off the crossbar that again stays out.

The score stays 1-0 Kings after 20 minutes, with shots favouring the Bulldogs 10-9. The Bulldogs went 0 for 1 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 2.

__________________________________

The Bulldogs tie the game at 1-1 3:22 into the second, as Michael Sacco tips home a Keaton Mastrodonato point shot. Aaron Bohlinger also draws an assist.

The Bulldogs take their first lead of the game with 3:51 to play in the second when Keaton Mastrodonato deflects home a Ryan Novecosky point shot past Matthias Smith, who entered the game in relief of Mitch Adamyk - who stopped 18 of 19 shots at the midway point of the period. Michael Sacco also gets an assist.

The Bulldogs take a 3-1 lead late in the second, as Keaton Mastrodonato wins a faceoff back to Aaron Bohlinger, who beats Smith with a high wrister from the line at 19:24 of the second.

Shots in the period were 20-9 Bulldogs, for a 30-17 advantage after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs had the lone power play of the period.

__________________________________

The third period begins with the Kings on the power play on a penalty at the 20:00 mark of the second, but the Bulldogs kill it off to protect their lead.

The Kings earn another power play with eight minutes gone in the frame, but again kill it off.

The Bulldogs go up 4-1 at 10:37 of the third when Michael Sacco collects a loose puck in front ff a Camron Cervone shot that hit Keaton Mastrodonato in front.

The Kings make it a two-goal game with 4:32 remaining, as Mitchell Williams spins and fires in front, high far-side over the glove of Hawthorne. The Bulldogs get it right back half a minute later, as Dawson Tritt beats Smith short-side from in close. Spencer Hora and Stephen Castagna grew the assists at 16:10 of the third.

The Bulldogs go up 6-2 with 1:42 to play in the third as Mitchel Deelstra takes a hit to create a 2 on 1 rush that saw Julian Benner set up Tyler Vanuden for a cross-ice one-timer that he made no mistake on.

Final shots were 49-30 Bulldogs.


The Bulldogs next see action Tuesday night when they visit the Cowichan Valley Capitals at the Island Savings Centre.

Thanks as always for checking the blog.

Hammer

Bulldogs host Kings tonight as Exhibition schedule opens

After last night's Intrasquad game (a 3-0 win for Team White/Broadcasters over Team Red/Toyota) - it must have been the Coaching....it's another step towards the season opener tonight, as the Bulldogs host the Powell River Kings tonight at the Multiplex at 7:00.

A special thanks to the Bulldogs for the invitation they extended to myself and Bruce to be guest Coaches on the bench - it was a fun experience, but I'm certainly more at home on the other side of the ice up in the booth!

We won't be broadcasting tonight's game - I will be providing live updates of the scoring here on the blog so be sure to check back tonight. If you're on Facebook you can get coverage from Kings Broadcaster Alex Rawnsley  through their "Free audio (or rudimentary video) broadcast with Alex Rawnsley and Zach Evans"

Hammer

Holy cow, Hockey's back.....kinda.

Sorry. In the most sincere way.... it's been way too long since I've updated the blog. I've very much enjoyed the down time not having to think about it and the work I put into it....but it's been too long, and I can't believe I didn't even make a final thank you post at the end of the year to wrap it up better.

It's not that I didn't intend to...I've had this post written and re-written many times. As the great Van Wilder once said "Procrastinating is a lot like being in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere"

I've just been busy not being "busy" I guess, and worrying about hockey and the blog, and instead making up for lost time with the kids over the course of season. I've spent countless hours camping, swimming, laking, fishing, etc etc.

Back at it now - well.... not REALLY back at it compared to how I blog DURING the season... but I'll try to make more regular posts about the team, about things happening in the Alberni Valley, etc etc.

Here's a major catch up on the news from the team you might have missed - which I certainly didn't miss on the 93.3 The Peak FM airwaves, but I did miss putting on the blog....

Bulldogs add Nicholas Seitz 

Bulldogs acquire Andre Ghantous

Blake Wood commits for 2018-2019

Affiliate player Stephen Castagna signs

Ethan Jones commits

Bulldogs add Hayden Hurst

Bulldogs acquire Mitch Deelstra


I just returned to work today after a couple weeks off... I've been constantly trying to push from my head the thoughts of how unprepared I am for hockey to start again "I'm not ready, I need a couple more weeks" etc etc.

I was asked by the Coaching Staff to go through some videos from last season, and as I was doing so last night I stumbled upon the highlights from last year's Playoffs. INSTANTLY, I had the hair standing up on the back of my neck and thought "O.K., I'm ready, lets go!"

Exhibit A

We aren't there YET though - but we're getting obviously closer with the opening of Training Camp today, and the first Exhibition game on Friday. Here's the schedule for this week



More to come.

Hammer