BCEHL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 2022

For Immediate Release

November 10, 2022

Saanichton, B.C. – Each month during the season, the British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) honours one player from each of the four leagues as the BCEHL Player of the Month for their respective league. Every team has the opportunity to nominate an individual from their team to be considered for the monthly award. This award is not based strictly on statistics. Team staff factors in the player’s on-and-off ice contributions towards the team as well as their involvement within the community and minor hockey mentorship.

Here are your Players of the Month for October!

Female U18 AAA

#9 Leah Barnard

Fraser Valley Rush

MHA: Tri-Cities Female

Forward

14G-18A

Leah Barnard’s impact this month was not only on the ice, but off of it as well which led her to be honoured as the Female U18 AAA Player of the Month.

Barnard is dedicated to helping the community by volunteering her time. She does this beyond the reach of hockey as well. The 17-year-old is a part of a student movement known as “Kodiaks with a Purpose”. Barnard joins other young philanthropists from her school to help the community in various ways. As an integral part to the Rush’s leadership group, Barnard and her Rush teammates are planning mentorship skates for female players in their region. The first session took place on November 4 with the North Shore Avalanche.

On the ice, Barnard had a spectacular month. In 13 BCEHL games, the Fraser Valley Rush forward collected 14 goals and an additional 18 assists. Barnard started the season with an impressive showing at the Female U18 Showcase, registering six goals and eight assists in four games.

U18 AAA

#15 Brendan Ruskowski

Fraser Valley Thunderbirds

MHA: Langley

Forward

7G-15A

Brendan Ruskowski took home Player of the Month honours in the U18 AAA League after having a strong month both on-and-off the ice. In the community, he volunteered with Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association during the month of October by helping out with two ice sessions. At school, Ruskowski volunteers by running the score clock for various sports teams.

Ruskowski contributed to his team’s success on the ice in October as well. Tied for first in scoring among all U18 skaters, the Thunderbirds’ forward scored eight goals and added 15 assists in 12 games during the month.

U17 AAA

#31 Jake Torget

Fraser Valley Thunderbirds

MHA: Langley

Goaltender

3W- 2SO

Jake Torget’s off-ice efforts makes the goaltender a deserving recipient of the Player of the Month for the U17 AAA League. An active member of the community, Torget spent time volunteering at a local food bank around Thanksgiving.

On the ice, Torget had a stellar month in goal. Winning three starts and adding two shutouts during the month of October, Torget posted a league-best 1.40 goals against average.

U15 AAA

#14 Charlie Robinson

Vancouver NE Chiefs

MHA: Burnaby Winter Club

Forward

13G-5A

Charlie Robinson’s performance on the ice has helped the Vancouver NE Chiefs to a successful start to the season, and the forward's off-ice contributions have had an impact on the team as well. This helped propel the 14-year-old to capture Player of the Month honours.

Individually, Robinson had a terrific month on the ice. The Chiefs forward collected a league-high 13 goals, along with five assists in seven BCEHL games during the month of October.