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Powell River Kings trade Rowan Miller; BCHL looks ahead to next season

Forward still a King, but in Prince George; League confident about play resuming in September
Former Powell River Kings’ forward Rowan Miller
Former Powell River Kings’ forward Rowan Miller [left] battles for puck possession with a Victoria Grizzlies opponent during a BC Hockey League game at Hap Parker Arena last season. After spending two years with Powell River, Miller is now a member of the Prince George Spruce Kings. Alicia Baas photo

Canadian Junior Hockey League teams have been given clearance by Hockey Canada to begin making acquisitions to put their rosters together for the coming season.

Powell River Kings sent forward Rowan Miller to Prince George Spruce Kings on Monday, June 1, to complete the future considerations portion of a trade for left winger Brett Pfoh last October. Pfoh played 44 games for the Kings during the 2019/2020 BC Hockey League season, scoring six times and adding three assists.

Miller, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona, scored eight times and added seven assists for the Kings over 47 games in 2020/2021. He assisted on two goals in five playoff games against Cowichan Valley Capitals. Pfoh, from Port Moody, was held pointless in the same series, appearing in three games. Cowichan won the best-of-seven, first round series four games to one.

In 2018/2019, Miller collected 13 points in 52 games played for the Kings and added three points in 12 postseason appearances.

Kings have added to their 2020/2021 roster recently with commitments from Ross Roloson, a defender from Victoria, as well as forwards Jacob Bonkowski and Ethan Reisterer, both from Richmond.

The BCHL is anticipating a 2020/21 season. But when it begins and how it will look has yet to be determined.

Monday, June 1, the chairman of the BCHL’s board of governors, Graham Fraser, said a plan for a return to play has been submitted for review by provincial minister of tourism, arts and culture Lisa Beare. Discussions have also been held with premier John Horgan and Beare to secure financial support for the league.

“Our call with premier Horgan was also positive,” said Fraser in a press release. “He understands the importance of the BCHL to its 18 communities, as well as the entire province.”

BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said a task force has created different scenarios for the coming season, including schedules that start at different dates depending on the status government restrictions still in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as protocols that will ensure the safety of players, staff and fans.

“Our league provides numerous jobs for residents of BC, as well as education opportunities for hundreds of players,” said Hebb. “The BCHL has been around for 59 years and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.”

~ with files from Mario Bartel/Tri-City News