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 decided to break this article into 2 parts. Here’s the last 9 players committed to the team!
SEAN RAMSAY
The 2001-born Ramsay led the CSSHL in scoring last season with the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, breaking the CSSHL single-season points record with 96 in only 35 games. His 2.74 point-per-game clip eclipsed the next closest player by almost half a point per game. He also appeared in four BCHL games last year with the Victoria Grizzlies as an AP down the stretch. Linemate and fellow Eagles recruit Gabe Schovanek put up 75 points playing alongside Ramsay, whose father Ian is a former Nanaimo Clippers player and coach, and who spent four seasons with the University of Denver Pioneers. Ramsay was a highly sought-after off-season recruit.
SR: “I was approached by the Everett Silvertips [of the WHL] this past year. They wanted me to play in their top six, but I’ve decided to go the college route. My dad has been through it and he tells me about how awesome it was. He says it was the best four years of his life. He’s really helped guide me throughout my path.”
CK: “The most talented hockey player I’ve seen for his age. He is an extremely unselfish, creative offensive player. For him to be a breakout player for us this year he has to adjust to the physicality of Jr. A hockey.”
GABE SCHOVANEK
The other half of the duo signed out of the PCHA, the 2001-born Schovanek recorded 23-52-75 in only 36 GP last season, playing alongside fellow Eagles recruit and linemate Sean Ramsay. While Ramsey scored a majority of the goals, Schovanek was there to set him up, and they look to carry that over to the BCHL.
GS: “I would describe myself as a play-making winger. I’m always looking to make a pass or create something. The Olympic-sized ice means more skating, but it also gives you more time and space, a little more opportunity to be creative offensively and make things happen. I’m pretty excited about that. It should fit into Sean’s game a little better because he’s a great skater, but I think I’ll be able to keep up.”
CK: “An extremely intelligent hockey player who sees the ice very well. A pass-first forward, once he adjusts to the speed of the BCHL, we expect him to be an impact player.”
JULIANO SANTALUCIA
The defensively-inclined Burnaby native was acquired in the off-season from Coquitlam as one of the future considerations which were part of the Westgard trade. While he’ll only turn 18 right before the season opens, he brings a veteran Jr. A presence to the blueline corps after playing the 2017-18 season for the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL, and last season in the BCHL.
JS: “I’m going to play a responsible defensive style in my own end, while showcasing an ability to contribute to the offence. In the end, I’m always going to put the team first.”
CK: “His strengths are defending using his speed and his ability to escape from pressure. Juliano has two years of junior experience and is looking for a breakout year.”
CADE ALAMI
Measuring in at 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, the 2001-born Alami is an intimidating presence on the ice and joins the Eagles after playing high school and midget hockey in Massachusetts. Alami is ranked as the 173rd North American skater for the 2019 NHL Draft, and is committed to play Division I NCAA hockey for Providence College.
CA: “When people see a 6-foot-7 defenseman, they think he must be just a big kid who buries people in the corner. I certainly like to do that, but I like to think of myself as more of a two-way defenseman. I’m a big kid but I can also produce offensively as well, so that’s what I’m going to try to do in Surrey.”
CK: “He’s a new age Zdeno Chara. Very athletic, thinks the game very well. Once he finds his offensive game, he will be dominant in the league. Can skate, has a hammer for a shot, is smart, just has to grow into his body.”
RILEY GANNON
The 2002-born forward signed with the Eagles following the spring identification camp. He was the runaway Rookie of the Year in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League last season with the Nanaimo Buccaneers after finishing with 21-29-50 in 46 GP. The next-closest rookie finished with 31 points. He also appeared in two games with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs as an AP.
RG: “I am a smaller skilled forward who is quick out of the corners. I believe I made the right choice last year going for Junior B because I wanted to play with and against bigger, stronger players. That, and the Buccaneers are such a well-run program. I’m happy with my decision, I thought I had a pretty good season.”
CK: “Can play either center or on the wing. Plays with a lot of pace and creativity and we expect him to contribute offensively to our group.”
CARTER KING
The last of the signees from the spring identification camp, the 2001-born forward comes to the Eagles from the Midget AAA Calgary Buffaloes of the Alberta Midget Hockey League. In 2018-19, King led his team in goal-scoring with 23 in 34 GP, before adding 4-7-11 in 11 playoff games. He also appeared as an AP for the Calgary Mustangs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he recorded an assist in his one game.
CK: “I see myself as a responsible forward who can think the game well. I pride myself in my hockey IQ, and I think that making plays consistently can really help my teammates play the style of game that they want to play. White Rock/South Surrey is also a beautiful place. Coming from Calgary where we get a lot of snow, to coming out here, the weather is unbelievable. It’s just a cool opportunity to come into a league like this and have a fresh start.”
Coach CK: “A two-way forward who is really good on the penalty kill. He can also play his off-wing, is extremely smart and can create offense from anywhere on the ice.”
KENNY RIDDETT
The 2001-born two-way forward joins the Eagles from the North Jersey Avalanche AAA hockey program. Riddett hails from Fishkill, New York, and recorded 18-42-60 in 47 GP last season.
KR: “I’m defensively minded first. The Avalanche program is known for having very good offence, but we focus on defence first—it’s a real strong point. The BCHL is very fast-paced and skilled, and I think a lot of Avalanche players are used to playing that way.”
CK: “A little ball of fire. Fans are going to love him. A heart and soul hockey player, plays with an edge. Works hard every day and is a team-first kid. He’s 5’5 but plays 6’3 and his heart is even bigger.”
THOMAS SCARFONE
The highly-recruited 2000-born goaltender comes to the Eagles from the Stanstead College program of the Midwest Prep Hockey League. Scarfone finished last season with a 23-9-1 record, a .912 SV%, and 2.18 GAA in his second season with Stanstead.
TS: “It’s obviously going to be a big jump from playing hockey in New England, but I see myself as a goalie who excels at reading plays well. I like to be vocal as a sixth man on the ice to help my teammates out. I think the Olympic-sized ice in Surrey will help with that because it will be easier to see plays to make down the ice, and more room for me to play the puck behind the net.”
CK: “An athletic goalie who likes to challenge shooters. Extremely competitive, never gives up on second- chance opportunities.”
WYATT SCHLAHT
Signed the day before training camp opened, he joins the organization after spending last season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League, and comes to the Eagles with a scholarship to Brown University, slated to commence in 2020-21. The Denver native played three seasons for St. Sebastian’s Prep in Needham, Mass.
WS: “I’m a forward that can skate and has a good shot. It will be fun to put those skills to use here in Surrey. I think the USHL is a bit more defensive and the BCHL is a bit more offensive, so I’m excited to take on that offensive role and make a big step forward.”
CK: “Wyatt is a veteran player who will bring offence and leadership. He competes hard on loose pucks and can control the game using his speed.”
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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