Clipper players will look to impress NCAA college hockey scouts and all 32 NHL teams at the BCHL Showcase in Seattle Oct. 25 and 26. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

College Dreams

VIDEO: Clippers have golden opportunity to impress scouts at BCHL Showcase

Oct 24, 2023 | 2:14 PM

NANAIMO — One of the signature events of the BCHL season is the annual showcase.

The Clippers will have a pair of games in Seattle on Wednesday, Oct. 25 versus Trail and Thursday, Oct. 26 against Prince George.

It’s the first time the event will be held south of the border and BCHL communications director Jesse Adamson is excited for the exposure it will bring.

“The big draw for having it in Seattle is our partnership with the Seattle Kraken. We’re holding it in the Kraken Community Ice Plex which is the practice facility for the NHL team. It’s a great opportunity to make those connections.”

Adamson confirmed all 32 NHL teams will be in attendance and most NCAA division one schools will scout the event as well.

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“Last year in the one month after the showcase we had 27 players announce their commitments to division one programs. It’s great for the players because we know the goal for 90 per cent of our players is to get a division one commitment.”

The Clippers currently have 12 committed players but for goalie Tyler Hodges the showcase is a chance to get noticed by NCAA scouts.

“There’s lots of scouts there and you’ve got to play your best. I try to treat it like just another regular season game but it’s good to know that there’s going to be lots of scouts there and maybe to have a few chats would be awesome.”

For Ontario native Connor Haynes the showcase was one of the draws for him coming out west to join the Clippers this season.

“It was something I was looking forward to coming into this year. It’s about being prepared. Now I know how to play the game in this league. Hopefully I’ll get some eyes on me and my teammates will as well.”

Heading in to the showcase games the Clippers will be bolstered with a recent trade and a player returning from injury.

In a one for one swap with the Vernon Vipers, Nanaimo acquired 2003-born forward Luke Buss in exchange for Luke Bibby.

Interim coach Curtis Toneff said Buss is a right shot forward who will bring a veteran presence to the lineup.

“The reviews from past teammates coaches and scouts around the hockey world were very good. For us to get that 20-year-old experience, his speed and his athleticism, I think he’s going to compliment our forward group.”

The Clippers are also expecting the season debut of Connor DeTurris.

He was one of the team’s top recruits in the summer after putting up 37 points in 47 games with Janesville of the NAHL last season.

He also has an NCAA commitment to the University of New Hampshire.

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers have alternated wins and losses for the past seven straight games and sit with a 5-4-1 record 10 games into the BCHL season.

Nanaimo’s Michael Murtagh heads into the BCHL Showase as the league’s co-leader in power play goals with six, Brett Merner is the BCHL’s second highest scoring defenceman with 11 points and the Clippers are the highest scoring team in the Coastal Division with 41 goals for.

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