Jared Wilson committs to RPI , Darian Henry joins Bulldogs, KEEP THE FAITH.

Huge congrats to Bulldogs Defenceman Jared Wilson, as he has committed to RPI, becoming the first member of the 2013-2014 Bulldogs to secure an NCAA Scholarship.

Former Bulldog Head Coach (2009-2010) Nolan Graham is an Assistant Coach at RPI, and apparently he liked what he saw in person in Wilson at the BCHL Showcase.

Wilson has the full package, size, skill, vision, shot, physical play. The sky is the limit with him. It's about maturity, consistency and motivation now. I've said it before for every single guy that secures a Scholarship, and with "Willy" it's no different - now it's about getting to the next level as the BEST player you can be. Keep that development going.

I have seen it many times throughout the years - the driving force, the wood that stokes the fire in the belly, so to speak, for so many kids is the motivation they find in playing to secure their future, to get to that "next level" and it's sometimes natural to have a "let down" once you have accomplished that. Jared never lacks passion, so here's hoping that's not the case for him, as the Dogs certainly need him at his best. At his best, he can be a dominant force and a game changer.

Release from the Bulldogs....

Jared Wilson Commits to RPI, NCAA Div I

PRESS RELEASE
September 20, 2013

Port Alberni – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very proud to announce that Jared Wilson has committed to the NCAA Division I program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 2014/15. The RPI Engineers are members of the Eastern College Athletic Conference and play out of the Houston Field House in Troy, New York.

RPI is coming off another successful season under head coach Seth Appert. In 2012/13, the Engineers finished with an overall record of 18-14-5 and a conference record of 12-7-3.

Wilson is the third Alberni Valley Bulldogs recruit in recent years by RPI, following in the footsteps of former Bulldogs Johnny Rogic and Evan Tironese. Wilson will also be joining former ‘Dogs head coach Nolan Graham who is currently an assistant coach with RPI.

In 50 regular season games in 2012/13, Wilson led all rookie defencemen in the BCHL in scoring with 10 goals and added 22 assists for 32 points, had a shooting percentage of 14.08%, and defensively had a plus/minus rating of +6. 14 of Wilson’s 32 points came on the power play (6A, 8A).

“Wilson came in to camp having worked very hard in the off-season, and it shows,” said head
coach and general manager Kevin Willison. In the first 5 games of the 2013/14 season, Wilson leads the team with 6 points (2 goals and 4 assists). Both Wilson’s goals have been on the power play.

“We are extremely happy for Jared and it’s great to see his hard work is paying off,” added Willison. “We are very proud of what he has accomplished to put himself in a position to be a highly touted recruit to a top NCAA Division 1 program.”

Wilson’s outstanding play during the 2012/13 season and into the BCHL Conference Finals garnered a lot of NHL interest. However, it was Wilson’s dominant play at the Bauer BCHL Showcase that has carried that NHL interest into this season. The coaching staff has been receiving several calls from NHL clubs already this season.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs family is very proud of Jared for his commitment to RPI and look forward to many great things from him and from the team this season. For up to date news and information on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, visit the team’s website at www.albernivalleybulldogs.ca. To learn more about season ticket packages for the 2013/14
season, call 250.723.4412.

For additional comments about this story, please contact Head Coach and General Manager
Kevin Willison

Another Defenceman is set to join the Bulldogs, as Darian Henry is set to arrive in Port Alberni today. Henry was recently released by the WHL's Regina Pats. It was less about how he was playing, and more about his age, according to the Leader Post....read HERE

One has to think that the Coaching Staff are thrilled to get a player of his size and experience to help the D-core, even if it creates a further log jam back there. At last count the Dogs had 9 bodies on the back end - but that could be looked at as a blessing with both Riley Ostoforoff and Luca Doctor recently being banged up.
 One might say the Dogs need Forwards to put the puck in the net...and I would be inclined to obviously agree with that...but they also need to do a better job of keeping the puck OUT of their net as well.

Henry's rights were acquired last summer in the Justin Morello trade - details on that from the Bulldogs website HERE

Don't Stop Believing - Journey. Keep the Faith - Bon Jovi. Faith - George Michael. Believe - Cher. OK, maybe not the CHER one, but I hope the rest of them are on the Bulldog Player's Ipods.

It certainly hasn't been a fun start, or a good start, the start you work so hard over the summer for, etc.

But, it is what it is. It's not the end of the world, the sky isn't falling, the season didn't end yesterday, and won't end tomorrow. It's FIVE games into a 58 game schedule.  What can go wrong quite simply HAS, so far. A week ago tonight they were in a 2-2 tie in the third period of their Home Opener, and their opposition scored the game winner in very controversial fashion. The next night, the back-luck goals against, and a failure to find the net enough did them in against the Capitals. But their effort was solid, especially after a good first period but bad luck had them down 3-1. I was very impressed with how they came out and battled in the second and carried the play, they just couldn't score. Same thing of the game Wednesday against the Capitals. They absolutely dominated the game. They finally were guilty of trying TOO HARD - and got burned with two goals against.

They have played well in parts, they have taken the play to the opposition in parts. The scores have not been reflective of the game. If they were losing 5-1 and 5-0 and showing no heart, no determination, no drive, then I would believe the sky WAS falling. It's not. It's no doubt weighing down on their backs like a 5 tonne gorilla, however. The pressure has to be intense, and it can't be fun for the Players/Coaches/Staff at the moment.

The ONLY thing harder than winning, is winning when you are losing. If that makes sense. Your confidence erodes, you try to do too much, you squeeze the stick, you have bad thoughts and a bad attitude.

Attitude determines Altitude.

The only thing that's getting the Dogs out of this is continuing to work hard, to try and stay positive. Do your job, do what the Coaches ask of you. Just do the fundamentals better, and everything will start to turn, I firmly believe that. Win draws, take the body, shoot the puck, go to the net, PUSH THE PACE. If you are doing things faster, and harder then your opposition, the luck will even out, the breaks WILL go your way, and next thing you know you will have won five in a row. The opposite - get down on yourself, get down on your teammates, try to do it yourself, etc etc etc...and five losses in a row could very easily become 10.

 There is no magic formula, no mystery elixir. Hard work, good attitude, do the simple things very good, and next thing you know the pucks that are hitting the bar and going out, the pucks that are bouncing over sticks, will all of a sudden hit the bar and go in, and will end up flat on the tape an in the back of the net.

One final note to lighten the mood...I saw the picture on Puck Daddy  regarding Ryan Nugent-Hopkins new deal with the Oilers and I thought "who does he look like?" and then it hit me like a run away glacier. It's Sid from Ice Age! No offense to the Nuge intended. Apologies in advance for my limited photo shop skills!

 

Hammer