LaCouvee at Rangers camp, Bulldogs acquire Donnelly

From the Bulldogs website - Very cool to see Connor LaCouvee getting some interest from the pro ranks, just a couple years after being the Bulldogs MVP in 2013-2014. More details HERE

The Bulldogs also announced today what sounds like another solid addition to the 2015-201 roster. Read below for details on the acquisition of Adam Donnelly.

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE POWER FORWARD FROM OHL

PRESS RELEASE

June 30, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – For the second time in as many weeks, the Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired an impact player from a Mississauga-area junior team. This time around, the Bulldogs have negotiated the release of Adam Donnelly from the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL.

Donnelly, who played for Lake Forest Academy in the Midwest Prep Hockey League, originally committed to the Bulldogs for the 2014/15 season but decided to play closer to home for family reasons. Donnelly, a 6’2, 200lbs, big and physical power-forward, will be a great addition for the Bulldogs with his strong work ethic, character, and leadership.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very excited to welcome Adam, again, to the Bulldogs family
and look forward to a big season this year.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley
Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison

Pugerude honoured, Povelofskie retires

Congrats to Bulldogs' trainer Damon Pugerude, who was recently named Volunteer of the Year at the Alberni Valley Minor Lacrosse Association's year end banquet. "Pugs" has remained in town through the off-season and has been giving back by volunteering his time to the AVMLA.

I was saddened to hear that Tyler Povelofskie won't be returning next year, as the Bulldogs announced he's made the decision to begin an apprenticeship.

While I'm sad on a selfish level as I enjoyed watching him play and having him around when I interacted with the team, I'm obviously quite happy for him that he's moving on in life. It takes a larger amount of courage and foresight that most people possess to make the decision to hang up the skates. Best of luck Tyler!

BULLDOGS PLAYER RETIRES EARLY TO BEGIN APPRENTICESHIP
PRESS RELEASE

June 18, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce that forward Tyler Povelofskie has decided to retire early from junior hockey and pursue a post-secondary opportunity. Povelofskie will being attending Thompson River University as an opportunity has presented itself in the heavy duty/transport mechanic program.

“This was not a decision made lightly on my part,” said Povelofskie. “I would like to take the time to sincerely thank the Alberni Valley Bulldogs organization for the opportunities and experiences that I gained last season,” added Povelofskie. “I would also like to thank coaches Kevin and Adam for their endless commitment to coaching, Tom for his education advice and expertise, Lyle and Kathy Pitts for opening their home as billet parents and, last but definitely not least, the community, volunteers and fans that support the Bulldogs win, lose, or draw.”

Povelofskie missed a large portion of last season with a serious skate-caused laceration but worked extremely hard to get back in the line up a lot earlier than anyone thought was possible.

“Tyler has been seeking this opportunity to become a heavy duty mechanic for a few years now but it didn’t work out with the hockey schedule,” said Alberni Valley Bulldogs head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “Now with a shop giving him the opportunity to have his education paid for, it is like a scholarship to him so we wish Tyler all the best moving forward into the new chapter in his life,” added Willison.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs family would like to wish Tyler all the very best and it was a pleasure to have him a member of our community for the 2014/15 season.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison

Jim Hiller to Maple Leafs, Nolan Badovinic to SFU

Pretty cool to see former Bulldog Head Coach (04-06) Jim Hiller officially hired by the Maple Leafs yesterday. Full details here

Big time blast from the past here....

Congrats to Jim and family!

Congrats as well go out to Alberni Wrestling's Nolan Badovinic on securing a scholarship to SFU.

Nolan Badovinac Accepts Wrestling and Academic Scholarships to SFU

Simon Fraser University Wrestling has now officially announced that provincial and National wrestling champion Nolan Badovinac of Alberni District Secondary has accepted their scholarship offer and will attend and wrestle for the Clansmen starting in September of 2015.

The SFU press release announced that …

 “Nolan Badovinac of Port Alberni, BC, one of the top high school wrestlers in Canada, has signed a National Letters of Intent to join the Simon Fraser University wrestling program, head coach Justin Abdou announced today. Badovinac is a three-time Canadian national freestyle champion. This April Badovinac recorded four pins and a technical superiority to capture the freestyle juvenile gold in the 76-kilogram Juvenile Men's Division at the Canadian Under-18 championships. It was his third straight title. He also entered the Canadian Junior Nationals (under 20) and won silver at 84 kg competing against first and second year university students.”

Head coach Abdou went on to comment that  “Nolan comes from a very supportive family and he is the type of student athlete we can build around,” said Abdou. ”He has a lot of talent and a great fighting spirit, and we are looking for him to do some great things for the Clan. “I have known Nolan for five years and he has big dreams but also has the work ethic and determination to match.  I am really looking forward to having him in the wrestling room.”

Badovinac attends Alberni District Secondary School where he is coached by Alberni and Clan Alumni, John McDonald ( ADSS 1983 and SFU 1988) and Alberni Wrestling club coach James Messenger ( ADSS 1998 and SFU 2004) as well as Alberni Wrestling alumnus Chris Bodnar. Another huge influence for Badovinac was ADSS and Burnaby Mountain alumnus and Olympian Travis Cross.  Badovinac is a straight A student and has also received an SFU Academic Entrance Scholarship as well as an athletic scholarship to the prestigious university atop Burnaby Mountain.

“We couldn’t be happier for Nolan,” stated a proud coach John McDonald, “he has earned everything he is receiving. He is the complete package any university would love to land. He is a talented wrestler, with an impeccable work ethic, outstanding academic credentials and possesses exceptional character. Nolan has been a leader of our ADSS team for many years and I predict great things for him at SFU on and off of the mats.”

In his typical humble way Badovinac commented, “I would like to thank my family, my coaches and my teammates for all of their support and amazing help for so many years. I am very fortunate to come from this community, this school and from this wrestling program which have both given me so much. I am excited to be joining such a great school as SFU and the finest university wrestling program in Canada.”

Before he heads to SFU Badovinac has afew final exams to finish and then the ADSS Graduation ceremony on June 26. He has also been hired by Alberni Wrestling to work in partnership with SFU wrestler Ryan Yewchin to coordinate the local program’s summer camps, fundraising and community service projects over the summer. All in a day’s work for an exceptional young man.

Dogs add Tyler Cooper

BULLDOGS ACQUIRE VETERAN DEFENSEMAN TYLER COOPER

PRESS RELEASE June 16, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have acquired veteran defenseman Tyler Cooper from the Mississauga Chargers of the OJHL for future considerations.

The 6’5”, 215lbs defenseman already brings three years of Junior A experience with him to the Bulldogs. The Oshawa Generals originally drafted Cooper in the 8th round in the 2012 OHL draft.

In 150 careers Junior A regular season games split between the Elliot Lake Bobcats of the NOJHL and the Mississauga Chargers, Cooper has contributed 36 points and 276 penalty minutes.

Alberni Valley fans can expect Cooper to be a big, physical, stay-at-home defenseman who will block shots and finish his checks. He’s not afraid to drop the gloves to fire up the team or get the crowd involved.

“I’ve heard great things about Alberni Valley. From what everyone says it’s a great place to develop and the home of the best fans in the BCHL,” said Cooper. “I’m very excited to move out west, get involved in the community and bring a BCHL championship to Alberni Valley. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to making the most of it,” added Cooper.

Prior to the start of his Junior A career, Cooper played in the Telus Cup with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves and also in the OHL Cup high performance program.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to welcome Tyler to the family and look forward to welcoming him in August when the players report for main camp, which officially opens on Monday, August 24, 2015.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison 

Bulldogs trade Weich, Putz

Always tough to see guys moved - one of my least favorite parts of the game. Something had to happen obviously with the number of 20 year olds the Dogs had on their roster. Best of luck to Drew and Everett, a couple of great guys who gave their all to the club last year.

Hammer



BULLDOGS LOG JAM OF 20-YEAR-OLDS GETS LIGHTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce two trades involving 20-year-old players for the 2015/16 season.

With teams in the BCHL allowed only six, 20-year-old players, these moves were necessary to create room for the coming season.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have traded Everett Putz to the Calgary Mustangs for future considerations. Putz spent one season with the Bulldogs and always gave a complete effort.

This trade sees him play out his final year of junior hockey at home in Calgary, AB, where he will sure to be a fan favorite.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have also sent 1995-born defenseman Drew Weich to the Drayton Valley Thunder in the AJHL to complete the future considerations component of the Eric Therrien acquisition from Drayton Valley back in December 2014.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs would like to thank both Drew and Everett for their  contributions to the team and our community and wish them the very best with their new teams.

For further information or comment on the above story please contact Alberni Valley  Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison