Image: Chilliwack Chiefs / Chilliwack Chiefs forward Dalton MacGillivray salutes the home crowd following a recent playoff game. MacGillivray, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward for the Chiefs, is one of eight returning players who hail from B.C. that the Chiefs will be prioritizing during the upcoming 2023-24 season.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chiefs to prioritize BC hockey players

Chilliwack Chiefs to prioritize B.C. player development amid new BCHL emphasis

Jun 6, 2023 | 4:48 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Chiefs said Tuesday (June 6) they will continue to prioritize the development of hockey players raised in British Columbia in the midst of a push by the B.C. Hockey League to grow into a world-class development league for college-tracking athletes.

“With the start of a new era for the British Columbia Hockey League, comes new regulations in regard to team rosters,” the Chilliwack Chiefs said in a statement. “Many of the previous rules will remain in place, but others will change as part of the BCHL’s goal to continue growing into a world-class development league for college-tracking athletes. While this allows players from around the world to now join the league, the Chilliwack Chiefs remain committed to prioritizing the development of hockey players raised in British Columbia.”

For the upcoming 2023-24 season, the Chiefs currently have 11 B.C. products set to be on the roster with the possibility of adding more as the offseason continues.

This includes 8 players who were a part of last season’s run to the league coastal conference finals. They include:

-AJ Lacroix (committed to Michigan State) – West Vancouver, BC
-Mateo Mrsic (committed to Colorado College) – Surrey, BC
-Brady Milburn (committed to Lake Superior State) – Kamloops, BC
-Lucas Sorace (committed to Quinnipiac University) – Port Moody, BC
-Dalton MacGillivray – Cloverdale, BC
-Nico Grabas – Burnaby, BC
-Hunter McInnes – Nanaimo, BC
-Ben Feenan – Surrey, BC

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“We’re fortunate to have all of these players on our team,” said head coach and GM Brian Maloney. “Not just because they are BC players, but because they are all guys that we rely on both on and off the ice. They all log a lot of minutes, play a role, and make a major impact.

As announced early in 2023, the Chiefs have already committed to three BC players, all of whom were developed right here in the Fraser Valley.

The first player announced was Savin Virk. The 2007-born forward played for Yale Hockey Academy’s U18 program this past season. In 29 games, the Surrey product has netted 26 goals and 21 assists for 47 points. He also suited up for two regular-season games for the Chiefs.

Brendan Ruskowski is also set to join the Chiefs after two seasons with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U18 program. The Langley native scored 21 goals and 41 assists for 62 points in 36 games this past year. He was also called up for the Chiefs. He netted 4 points in 7 games.

Ruskowski’s Thunderbirds teammate Tyler Pretty will also be suiting up for the Chiefs in 2023/24. The Abbotsford raised forward combined for 56 points (28 goals and 28 assists) in 36 games for the Fraser Valley U18 program.

To join these commitments, the Chiefs have a number of player signings to announce throughout the week.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Chilliwack Chiefs to prioritize B.C. player development amid new BCHL emphasis

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