The Merritt Centennials have a strong contingent of Alumni attending development camps across the NHL.
Getting his first taste of an NHL development camp is Kamloops native Diego Cuglietta who will suit up with the Dallas Stars this week after signing an ATO with their AHL Affiliate Texas Stars. Finishing his senior year at Lake Superior State University, Cuglietta led NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey in goals scored (25), while ranking second in faceoff wins (501), he set career highs in goals and points (41) this season, tied his career high in assists (16), and led the Lakers with a +24 rating this season. Cuglietta played for the Centennials from 2012 -2015 and amassed 128 points in 149 games played over 3 seasons of hockey in the BCHL. His best offensive year came in 2013-14 where he scored 19 goals and added 37 assists for 56 points in 53 games played.
Former Cent, and now former Providence College Friar, Brandon Duhaime signed a two-year, entry-level contract that starts next season with the team that drafted him in the 4th round of the 2016 draft – The Minnesota Wild. In 42 games with Providence this past season, Duhaime was among their leading scorers tallying 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points. All three categories were career-highs for the 6-1, 200-pound forward. Duhaime also led the Friars in penalty minutes (53), tied for second in game-winning goals (three) and ranked third in scoring. The 21-year-old finished with 72 points (22 goals and 50 assists) in three seasons with Providence. This will be Duhaime’s 3rd development camp with the Wild.
Former Centennials defender Josh Teves is looking to find a spot on the Vancouver Canucks blue line in years to come after signing a one year entry-level deal earlier this spring. Teves last played for the Centennials in 2014-15 where he put up 5 goals and 28 helpers in 57 games played. He was also exceptional in the classroom receiving the RBC National Junior A Scholarship for $5000 which is only awarded to one player in the whole CJHL.
Playing a season with the Centennials in 2015-16 goaltender Cole Kehler will be attending LA Kings Development camp. He was signed as a free agent out of the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL and got time with the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
More former Cents could be involved in upcoming NHL development camps hosted in July.
Centennials Early Bird prices are available until 3:30pm Friday, June 28th at the Centennials Marketing Office at 2001 C Voght St.
Anyone interested in the Centennials Golf Tournament on August 3rd can sign up HERE.
