BURNABY, B.C. – The NHL season began last week and there were a total of 31 alumni listed on opening-night rosters across the league.
Mainstays like Jamie Benn (Dallas), Josh Manson (Anaheim) and Tyson Jost (Colorado) remained with their original clubs, but players like Duncan Keith (Edmonton), Matt Irwin (Washington) and Andrew Ladd (Arizona) all found new homes.
Other league alumni will be making their NHL debut this fall, including Jasper Weatherby (San Jose) and Brandon Duhaime (Minnesota). The BCHL is also represented on the league’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, with Brandon Tanev and Dennis Cholowski on the roster.
The Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators each boast a league-high three former BCHL players.
See below for the full list of 31 players.
| CURRENT TEAM | PLAYER | BCHL TEAM | YEARS |
| Anaheim Ducks | Derek Grant | Langley Chiefs | 2007-09 |
| Anaheim Ducks | Josh Manson | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | 2009-11 |
| Arizona Coyotes | Andrew Ladd | Coquitlam Express | 2002-03 |
| Boston Bruins | Mike Reilly | Penticton Vees | 2011-12 |
| Calgary Flames | Milan Lucic | Coquitlam Express | 2004-05 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Jujhar Khaira | Prince George Spruce Kings | 2010-12 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Tyson Jost | Penticton Vees | 2014-16 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Alex Newhook | Victoria Grizzlies | 2017-19 |
| Colorado Avalanche | Devon Toews | Surrey Eagles | 2011-13 |
| Dallas Stars | Jamie Benn | Victoria Grizzlies | 2006-07 |
| Detroit Red Wings | Danny DeKeyser | Trail Smoke Eaters | 2008-09 |
| Detroit Red Wings | Troy Stecher | Penticton Vees | 2010-13 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Duncan Keith | Penticton Panthers | 1999-01 |
| Edmonton Oilers | Kyle Turris | Burnaby Express | 2005-07 |
| Minnesota Wild | Jordie Benn | Victoria Grizzlies | 2005-08 |
| Minnesota Wild | Brandon Duhaime | Merritt Centennials | 2014-15 |
| Montreal Canadiens | Carey Price | Quesnel Millionaires | 2002-03 |
| Nashville Predators | Dante Fabbro | Penticton Vees | 2014-16 |
| Nashville Predators | Ryan Johansen | Penticton Vees | 2008-09 |
| Nashville Predators | Colton Sissons | Westside Warriors | 2009-10 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Danton Heinen | Surrey Eagles | 2013-14 |
| San Jose Sharks | Jasper Weatherby | Wenatchee Wild | 2016-18 |
| Seattle Kraken | Dennis Cholowski | Chilliwack Chiefs | 2014-16 |
| Seattle Kraken | Brandon Tanev | Surrey Eagles | 2011-12 |
| St. Louis Blues | Tyler Bozak | Victoria Grizzlies | 2004-07 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Alex Kerfoot | Coquitlam Express | 2011-13 |
| Vancouver Canucks | Brad Hunt | Burnaby Express | 2006-08 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Laurent Brossoit | Cowichan Valley Capitals | 2009-10 |
| Washington Capitals | Matt Irwin | Nanaimo Clippers | 2005-08 |
| Washington Capitals | Justin Schultz | Westside Warriors | 2007-09 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Riley Nash | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | 2006-07 |
NOTE: Only players with a minimum of 10 games played in the BCHL are included.
-30-
About the BCHL:
Sending more players on to college hockey every season than any other hockey league in Canada, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering today’s NHL features more NCAA alumni than ever before, Junior A hockey is fast rivaling other leagues in North America as a breeding ground for the sport’s most elite and successful players. In 2019-20 alone, there were 196 BCHL players who received scholarships to top schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Media Contact:
Jesse Adamson
Manager, Communications & Events
BC Hockey League
604-354-0035
jadamson@bchl.ca
