As was to be expected from the only BCHL team left looking in on last season’s playoffs, the 2019-20 Surrey Eagles underwent major off-season reconstruction. The busiest of the 17 teams, the Eagles have only three returning players when this year’s main camp began. Newly-named captain and defenseman Cody Schiavon, center Holden Katzalay and winger Brandon Santa Juana, last year’s Eagles Rookie of the Year.
The team’s first major off-season move was naming Cam Keith the new head coach and associate general manager. Cam sat down with Surreyeagles.ca during main camp and discussed the off-season signings, noting beforehand the team is certain to sign more players prior to the season-opener Sept. 6 in Prince George. Along with Cam’s input, we asked each incoming player what they’re looking to bring to the roster this upcoming season.
With so many new players on the roster (18 as of this mini-series), we’ve decided to break this article into 2 parts. Here’s the first 9 new commits for the 2019-20 season!
OWEN NOLAN
The 2000-born defenceman of hockey name fame was the team’s first off-season recruit to commit to Surrey. He comes to the Eagles after captaining Millbrook of the United States high school prep league, and is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Army after next season.
ON: “What I hear about the BCHL is that it’s a very offensive and fast-paced league, and I think that fits my playing style very well. I like to be a leader, that’s something I bring wherever I go. I intend to lead by example as well as vocally. I just love to compete, so I think that’s where it comes from.”
CK: “An Army commit, so what stands out first and foremost is his character. He is the kind of kid who always wants to do the right thing. He has an effortless look to his skating stride, and he’ll be used almost as a fourth forward because of his skating, which allows him to get back into his own zone after jumping up into the play.”
BUDDY JOHNSON
One of the team’s final off-season signings before training camp opened was 2001-born White Rock native Buddy Johnson, who joined the Eagles after a season with the Delta Hockey Academy. Johnson led his team last season with 22 goals in 32 games, finishing with 31 points. His 22 goals were good for 14th in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League, one spot lower than fellow new Eagle Gabe Schovanek of the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy.
BJ: “I consider myself a 200-foot player. I like to be physical and be tough to play against. I’m definitely excited to play, but I know it’s going to be a lot faster. I’ve been working out every day and I’ve been running at the track a lot.”
CK: “A blue-collar style hockey player. He is comfortable playing in the tough areas, and is a very intelligent hockey player who prides himself on making the play that’s best for the team.”
RYAN SUZUKOVICH
One of four players to join the team out of this year’s spring identification camp is one already familiar to Eagles fans as Suzukovich appeared in the maximum 10 games as an affiliated player last season. A product of the Burnaby Winter Club Academy, he is known for his physical play, ability to move the puck up the ice, and his ability to play either forward or defense.
RS: “I’ve played defense pretty much my whole life. It’s my go-to, but I will do whatever the team needs. Forward is fun, but D is where I feel I’m better suited and I’d like to stick to. Whatever the team needs, I can do.”
CK: “A defend-first defenseman with offensive upside. He’s hard to play against, and is an in your face, physical defenseman. With 10 games played last year, we expect him to have a good grasp of the league and expect him to step in right away.”
HUDSON SCHANDOR
In July, the Eagles acquired forward Hudson Schandor, a North Vancouver native, from the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in exchange for forward Matthew McKim. Schandor played the past two seasons with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks before being dealt to the AJHL earlier in the offseason. Over the course of his 91-game BCHL career, the 2000-born Schandor has recorded 25-28-53. Shortly after his signing, the team named him an assistant captain.
HS: “I’ve always tried to be a vocal leader on the bench, always try to do my part around the room. On the ice as well, whether it’s helping a younger guy out or sometimes even one of the older guys. I’ve been trying to be a leader and I think it’s worked out pretty well so far.”
CK: “He’s the complete player. He’s a fast-paced player with high hockey sense, and has the ability to create offense on the rush and in traffic. We’re expecting him to carry the load offensively and be a leader in the dressing room.”
CRISTOPHE TELLIER
The Eagles acquired forward Cristophe Tellier from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for Dallas Farrell, whose rights the Eagles acquired from the Coquitlam Express as part of the future considerations received in the Ty Westgard trade on January 10th last season. The 2000-born Tellier, a native of Sherbrooke, Que., had 30 points in 53 games last season and is committed to Quinnipiac University for 2020-21.
CT: “I would say that I’m going to bring offense to the team on the powerplay and at even strength. I think I can help the team win by competing hard and with my hockey sense. I’d also like to be a guy the team can lean on when needed.”
CK: “A dynamic offensive player who is always a threat on the ice. We expect him to be a go-to guy this season.”
ADAMO SANTIA
The Eagles acquired forward Adamo Santia from the Milton Menace of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in exchange for future considerations. The Ontario- and 2001-born Santia had 14-25-39 in 53 GP in his rookie Junior A season last year. In addition to providing offence, the 6’1, 180 pound forward also plays a robust style.
AS: “I believe I have a physical playmaking style of play. I like to get to
the dirty areas on the ice and win my battles. I also believe I can be a
200-foot player by making sure I do my job on the defensive side of the ice.”
CK: “He’s a cross between an offensive, playmaking power forward who also has a knack around the net finding space, and obviously brings an element of physicality to our forward group.”
CAL SCHELL
2001-born Cal Schell was the recipient of the Gus Crescenzi Award as the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Most Valuable Goaltender last season. He had a 16-5-0 record in 24 appearances with the Hamilton Kilty B’s, posting a 2.14 GAA, along with a .922 SV%, and three shutouts. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, the Burlington, Ont. native is a large presence between the pipes. He was also selected 29th overall by the North Bay Battalion in the 2018 Ontario Hockey League U18 draft.
CS: “I try to play almost like a third defenceman. If I had to compare my style to someone, in terms of athleticism and being able to control the game, I really like Matt Murray. I like watching highlights and game tape of him and breaking down his game. When it comes to playing the puck, the faster I can get it up the bigger ice surface, the better.”
CK: “A big, athletic, star goalie, with great rebound control. He’s completely calm in the net, kind of a Cary Price type; always in the right spot so he doesn’t have to expend extra energy.”
BRETT BLISS
Bliss hails from Chelmsford, Mass., and split last season between his Belmont Hill High School club and the Neponset Valley River Rats U-18 team. The 2001-born two-way defenseman comes to the Eagles with an NCAA Division I scholarship to Brown University, and is expected to make the jump to college in the 2021-22 season. He is one four defensemen now on the roster with NCAA Division I scholarships in hand.
BB: “One of my strongest assets is the way I see plays develop. I can help generate offence from the back end. I think that I have a strong shot and pride myself on getting pucks through from the point.”
CK: “A smooth skating, highly intelligent hockey player. He will be expected to run the powerplay unit with his ability to control the play and see second and third options.”
JIMMY DARBY
The Eagles acquired defenceman Jimmy Darby from the Trail Smoke Eaters in exchange for forward Corey Clifton. Darby, 18, is a native of North Vancouver. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defenseman scored six points and added 24 penalty minutes in 40 games in his rookie season with the Smoke Eaters last year. He is a product of the Vancouver NW Giants program of the BC Major Midget League.
JD: “I’m not going to overthink it. I’m just going to play my game and play hard. Last year I was able to get my feet wet in the league and this year I’m ready to step up and make a difference. I’m really excited with the group we’ve got and the coaching staff along with it. It’s a real professional atmosphere here in Surrey and I can’t wait to get started.”
CK: “An absolute beast, a physical specimen who is extremely hard to play against. He has a heavy shot from the blueline and the ability to get up and down the ice, join the rush, and get himself back into position to defend.”
The Surrey Eagles exhibition schedule has almost come to a close. There are 2 more preseason games on tap for the team, with the last home game being this Friday against the visiting Wenatchee Wild. Please click here for more details.
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