Sunday, January 10th was the annual BCHL Trade Deadline. The Merritt Centennials made a few big splashes in the trade market, dealing Gavin Gould to Nanaimo in exchange for Zach Court and picking up Ryan Roseboom for Ryan Forbes, as well as picking up Chase Bell.
Merritt Centennials play-by-play host Alexander Carrigan got a chance to sit down with the new Cents players and get to know them a little better. In no particular order, let’s get to know the new players.
Zach Court
Age 19, born January 4th 1997
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
What number are you wearing for the Cents, and any special reason?
Wearing 16, just started wearing it a few years ago, and Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd wears 16, just rolled with it
Do you have any other hobbies or sports you play?
I like to golf in the summer, my family has a cottage in Ontario, and water sports are big.
Where did your hockey career start?
Started at 4 or five, Dad builds the outdoor rink and in Winnipeg you can keep it going for four or five months out of the year, kinda started there. Then up the ranks to midget, then junior.
How about your Junior career?
Started last year in the USHL in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
What was it like playing in the USHL?
It was a good experience, bit of a different game, lots of skating lots of skill, not as physical. So it was a bit of an adjustment but it was an awesome experience playing with some high end players and i got a lot out of it
What kind of a player is Zach Court?
I’d say I’m an offensive minded guy, for sure. I like to play with a lot of high end skill down low, and around the net, put number us. But I think a big part of my game is being able to play a full 200-foot game, strong defensively and away from the puck
How has this year gone for you so far?
It’s been a bit of a different year, ups and downs. Went back down to the states for a bit then getting called back up to Nanaimo, then just getting here yesterday night. It;s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but getting used to it is all part of the process. Goals wise, just getting better every single day – working my butt off in practice, and doing everything to help the team win.
You were behind some skilled guys in Nanaimo, tell us about your time there.
Yeah, Nanaimo was a great place, great coaching staff, great organization. Good group of guys and Ilm sure there gonna have a lot of success the rest of the way. Like you said, that first line is incredible, they`re doing really good. It was a good experience down there.
What are you hoping to bring to the Merritt Centennials?
Going to be nice to get some opportunity to play with some high end guys like (Nick) Jermain and (Zak) Bowles, excited about that, hoping to build up some chemistry, and put up some numbers. Help the team win games.
What does next year hold for you?
Committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, so still kind of up in the air, whether I’m going to school this year or next year, I`m sure that’ll figure itself out in the next couple months or weeks even. But I`m commited there and I`m really excited about it
Just want to say I’m excited to be here and I can`t wait to get on the ice.
RYAN ROSEBOOM
Age 19, born October 24th 1996
Born in Terrace BC
What number are you wearing for the Cents, and any special reason?
I’m wearing number 6 because I’ve just always worn it, it’s nice that it was open here.
Do you have any other hobbies or sports you play? Soccer and fishing in the summer.
Where did your hockey career start?
Started in Terrace probably 6 or 7 enrolled in minor hockey. Lots of road hockey before that before my parents finally got me in
How about your Junior career?
I played in Osoyoos in the KIJHL along with Brett Jewell and Tyler Holz, so I know them.
It must be really nice to have a few familiar faces in the lineup, then.
Yeah it’s really nice having a couple familiar faces on the team!
What kind of player is Ryan Roseboom?
I’d say I’m a physical player, gritty, maybe pop in a few goals here and there. Probably leans more to checking but I can bring a bit of both to the team.
How has this year gone for you so far?
Wasn’t expecting to get traded, but I mean that’s part of the game and I’m excited to be here. But it started off well, in Chilliwack got shuffled in and out of the lineup and didn’t play as much as I hoped. But it was alright. That team’s very skilled, good group of guys. I think they’ll do very good.
Excited to come to the Merritt Centennials?
Oh yeah. Really excited. Ready to play a bigger role here, that’ll be nice. Two buddies on the team, and I`ve heard lots of good things about the town.
Any goals for the rest of the 2015/16 season?
Be consistent. And play well defensively, I think good things will happen then.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully come back to the Cents next year, keep playing, maybe a leadership role for the team.
Just want to reiterate that I`m excited to be here, and I`m happy to be a Centennial.
CHASE BELL
Age 18, born December 8th 1997
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta
What number are you wearing for the Cents, and any special reason?
I’ll be wearing number 10, because my Dad wore it when he was a kid.
Do you have any other hobbies or sports you play?
In the summer I’m a big golfer, that’s about it.
Where did your hockey career start?
It started on a pond…probably on a golf course somewhere in Taber Alberta. I was really young, don`t remember how young though. Grew up playing in Lethbridge, until bantam. My first year of midget, I played at a prep school in New Brunswick, after that I played at Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, then I went to Grand Prarie.
How about your Junior career?
Started in Grand Prarie, in the Alberta Junior Hockey League at 16.
What kind of a player is Chase Bell?
I like to see myself as an energy player, creating offense and responsible in the defensive zone.
How has this year gone for you so far?
I’ve really challenged myself to be better in the defensive zone this year. I feel like I’m growing as a more responsible player, more well rounded
What are you hoping to bring to the Merritt Centennials?
Hopefully some energy and a bit of offense
Any goals for the rest of the season?
Hoping to put up some numbers and set a good example.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully come back here and have more of a role, bring more leadership.
Super excited to be here, it’s going to be a fresh start for me here.
The Merritt Centennials play next this upcoming Friday, a home match against the Penticton Vees on January 15th. Puck Drop is at 730pm, pre-game begins on Q101 starting at 7:15pm.
