Above Photo: Kyle Robinson Photography
Victoria, BC ~ The 2025 BCHL trade deadline has come and gone and with all the action that took place in Victoria, it’s safe to say the Grizzlies went all in to bolster their line-up in advance of the 2025 playoffs that will begin in early April.
The Grizzlies pulled off the biggest blockbuster deal of trade deadline day by acquiring the Vernon Vipers leading scorer, 20 year old Will Schumacher.
The Mercyhurst commit has tallied 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points this season in Vernon.
The price as expected wasn’t cheap, as the Grizzlies sent 07 forward Finn Kallay and 20 year old forward Ryan Watt to Vernon. The Grizzlies were also able to acquire the BCHL playing right’s to 05 forward Georgios Stavrianeas and future considerations. The right’s to Stavrianeas were then sent to Penticton just before the deadline in exchange to the rights for Julien Wasmer, an 05 defenceman committed to Maine who is currently playing in the QMJHL.
Ryan Watt had been a huge part of the clubs culture for three years, appearing in 140 games for the Grizzlies, while Kallay was a popular and talented young player the Grizzlies envisioned having in their line-up for seasons to come.
“It’s a tale as old as time in a sports trade, but you have to give up something to get something, I know we gave up quite a bit in Ryan Watt and a young player like Finn Kallay who’s best days as a player are still in front of him” said team president David Michaud. “For me, acquiring a player like Will Schumacher showed we’re serious about supporting our players and giving them the best chance to succeed in the post-season and push for a BCHL championship.
After getting a taste of post season success with an opening round sweep of the Nanaimo Clippers and hard fought 6 game series with the eventual BCHL Champion Surrey Eagles in the 2nd round, the experience garnered last year bodes well for the solid cast of returning veteran players like Chase Pirtle, Regan Hiscock, Julian Cull and all-star goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton.
“I’m the new guy here” said Michaud who joined the club in June. “While I wasn’t here to experience last year’s playoff run, I’ve been around long enough to know what the players learned from that experience.”
The big deal came after a weekend where the Grizzlies failed to score a 5 on 5 goal, simply put, management and the coaching staff decided that they needed to add another dangerous offensive option to bolster this talented groups attack.
On Sunday, the Grizzlies also acquired 2007 forward Max Silver from the Cranbrook Bucks. Silver, who is committed to play NCAA hockey at Colgate University has 1 goal and 2 assists in his rookie campaign with the Bucks. The Grizzlies sent the BCHL playing rights to Tyson Moss to Cranbrook. Silver will add depth for the Grizzlies and his acquisition helps cushion the loss of Kallay for future seasons.
With just 16 games to go in the Grizzlies season, they find themselves in a dog fight for playoff positioning. Just 8 points separates 8th to 2nd in the Coastal Conference.
The additions of Schumacher and Silver to this experienced and veteran lineup gives the Grizzlies hope they’re well-positioned for not only a strong finish, but a long run in the post season.
Your first chance to see Will Schumacher and Max Silver in a Grizzlies uniform at the Q Centre is on Saturday night at 6:00 PM when the Powell River Kings are in town. Tickets are available by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4jHErBk
