Victoria, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies announced on Tuesday morning that they have made a pair of roster additions as they prepare for another weekend of BCHL action before the All-Star break comes around the corner.
First, they acquired 19-year-old defenseman Zach Chehade’s rights from the Surrey Eagles in exchange for future considerations. Chehade was most recently in the NAHL with the Rochester Jr. Americans, where he had one assist in 10 games. He began the year in Surrey, picking up a goal and an assist in 12 games before making the move south of the border. Chehade is Canadian, born and raised in Beaconsfield, Quebec (a suburb of Montreal), but attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts for the last three years. He was teammates with former Grizzly Tom Molson at Deerfield for two years and also served as their captain last season.
The Grizzlies also went out and bolstered their forward group depth with the signing of 20-year-old Gabe Bugeard from the St. Cloud Norsemen of the NAHL. Bugeard, another Quebec native, spent the last two seasons in the MJHL with the Dauphin Kings (109 GP, 32 G, 66 PTS, 77 PIM). He also spent a year (2022-23) at the Notre Dame Hounds U18 program in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, with current Grizzly Carter Hynes. So far this season in the NAHL, Gabe has 13 goals and 22 points in 30 games.
With several injuries and some roster movement over the last month, the Grizzlies will be ecstatic to see two fresh faces bolstering their lineup depth moving forward. Victoria is in action looking for revenge against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday night at the Q Centre in Colwood. Tickets are available for purchase by CLICKING HERE. Kids are free when accompanied by an adult all season, thanks to Maxxam Insurance. Limit of two per adult.
