By Andrew Phillip Chernoff

May 6, 2023

The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Smoke Eaters signed four players following the team’s April Spring ID Camp in April, including a Trail area prospect, they announced on May 4, 2023.

The latest commitments follow earlier signings in April.

The team signed goalie Ryan Parker, defenseman Jack Ketsa and forwards Nathan Dominici and Callas Pierce. In addition to these four, there are a number of players from the camp that remain on the scouting department’s radar.

Smoke Eater Press Release, Smoke Eaters Sign Four Players After Successful ID Camp in Trail, May 4, 2023 Press Release

Parker played with the Pacific Coast Academy U18 prep team (CSSHL). The 6’1″ goalie is from Sooke, BC and this year he posted a record of 13-5-1 which included 1 shutout and a save percentage of .921%.

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Kesta, a 6’1″ left shot rearguard from St. Albert, Alberta played last season with the NAX U18 Prep (Northern Alberta Xtreme) in the CSSHL. He scored 4 goals and put up 15 points in 26 games then added 52 penalty minutes.

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Dominici, from Trail, B.C., posted 41 points in 39 games and accumulated 92 penatly minutes. He also put up 18 points in 17 playoff games this past season for Beaver Valley Nitehawks of the KIJHL. He was awarded the “MVP” for the Neil Murdoch division in the KIJHL and also played 7 games this past season as an affiliate with the Smoke Eaters.

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Pierce, a 5’11” left-shot forward is from the Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 Prep (CSSHL) and his hometown is Prince Rupert, BC. He posted 42 points in 50 games at U18 level and also put up 4 points in 5 playoff games.

Earlier Committments

On April 27, the Smokies announced the addition of Jack Kennedy for next season.

Kennedy, from Granby, Massachusetts is coming off a championship season with Avon Old Farms School, winning the Elite 8 title at the NESPAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Prep tournament.

The 18-year-old, right-shot defenceman also played 18U AAA hockey with the Buffalo Regals, which finished 2nd at the USA Hockey National Championships in San Jose this past March and Jack produced 3 points in 6 games at Nationals. Between the two teams Kennedy contributed 38 points in 58 games this season. 

Commitment – Smoke Eaters Bolster Blueline With Commitment of Jack Kennedy, April 27, 2023 Press Release

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On April 25, the BCHL team announced the signing of Brown University commit Trip Pendy for the 2023/24 BCHL Season.

Pendy, from Far Hills, New Jersey is a product of Delbarton High school, playing USHS-Prep as well as playing 18U AAA with the New Jersey Rockets. The 18-year-old, left-shot forward totaled 42 goals and added 87 assists for 129 points in 82 games this year.

Commitment – Smoke Eaters Add Brown University Commit Trip Pendy For 2023/24, April 25, 2023 Press Release

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On April 24, Trail Smoke Eaters announced signing of forward Jack DesRuisseaux committing to the Smoke Eaters for next season.

DesRuisseaux, from Manchester, New Hampshire, a product of Tabor Academy, is set to join the Smoke Eaters in the fall after putting up 70 points in 50 games this season. Committed to SHU, the right shot forward split his season with Tabor Academy playing USHS-Prep and the Boston Jr. Bruins U18 AAA. The 19-year-old forward had 32 goals across the two leagues this season and was also part of the leadership group at Tabor, wearing an “A” this season.

Commitment – Smoke Eaters Continue to Reload Offence with SHU Commit DesRuisseaux, April 24, 2023 Press Release

Source: trailsmokeeaters.com