Powell River Kings recently announced the signing of 2004-born forward Joel Purdom.
The 20-year-old from Winnipeg will add more than 100 games of junior hockey experience to this year’s team and is someone assistant general manager Stephan Seeger Jr. is thrilled about acquiring.
“Joel is a very exciting addition for us,” stated Seeger Jr. “He is a player who does things properly and is always moving his feet. He is never shying away from physicality or the dirty areas.”
Purdom played the last two seasons with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Selkirk Steelers, where he scored 28 goals while collecting 41 assists in 103 total games. He will look to pick up right where he left off last season when he arrives in Powell River for the 2024/2025 BC Hockey League season. He finished the previous campaign on an eight-game point streak where he tallied 13 points, nine of them goals.
“We expect Joel to be the type of player who brings energy into our lineup,” added Seeger Jr. “He is a young man who we can see potentially playing in all situations for us.
“Joel had an impressive end to his season and we are excited to see his transition into the BCHL and our community.”
In other BCHL news, with the start of the season less than two months away, the league has solidified the long-term future of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
The BCHL board of governors approved the sale of the Bulldogs franchise to Olithan Sports & Entertainment, headed by Garry and Teresa Wong.
Garry Wong has been in the construction industry since 1984 and is the co-founder of Keith Panel Systems, a leading architectural facades company.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Ownership Group,” Wong said in a statement late last month. “The Bulldogs are an integral part of Port Alberni and its neighbouring communities. As we look ahead, we aim to build on our success alongside the community, staff and the BCHL.
“We are enthusiastic about shaping the future of our players. I want the Bulldogs program to be a place that inspires hope for players who dream of competing at this level and as a launchpad for pursuing further opportunities.
“Owning a hockey franchise is a true privilege. It’s an opportunity that not many people get in their lifetimes, making this a special journey for me. I am deeply grateful.”
The league’s board of governors unanimously approved the franchise sale at the recent annual general meeting. All other Bulldogs shareholders remain in place, including longtime owners Stefanie Weber and Dennis See.
“The BCHL is pleased to welcome Garry and Teresa to the league and is excited to see the rest of the ownership group remain with the organization,” stated league commissioner Steven Cocker. “The Bulldogs have been on an upward trajectory on and off the ice for several years now and we are confident that this new group will be able to continue that trend.”
The Bulldogs visit the Kings for a pair of games at Hap Parker Arena on November 22 and 23.
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