The Victoria Grizzlies just made a big signing, literally.
Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon announced Thursday that the B.C. Hockey League team has signed Jérémie Bucheler, a six-foot-four, 182-pound defenceman from Montreal who is committed to the NCAA’s Northeastern University for the fall of 2019.
The 18-year-old played last season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL.
“He’s a big, great skating defenceman who will bring a lot of offence to our back line,” Didmon said.
Bucheler happens to have the same Montreal-based adviser as Grizzlies newly-named captain Alex Newhook, so when he was looking for a place to play this season, the decision seemed obvious.
“Jérémie was looking to come to the BCHL, knowing it’s one of the best Junior A leagues in the country, so, knowing Alex, their adviser called us and we put it together.
“He’s a high-quality defenceman and we feel that, together with Carter [Berger], we will have two very dangerous offensive guys on the back end.”
Both Bucheler and Berger, the North Vancouver product who had 34 points in 56 regular-season games and another eight in 12 playoff games last season, are eligible for this weekend’s NHL draft.
“They’re both expected to have big years this coming season so several NHL scouts have inquired about both of them, so there is a possibility one or both get drafted this weekend,” added Didmon.
And Didmon wasn’t finished piecing together his blue line for next season. He has also inked 18-year-old defenceman Brady MacDonald, who spent the last two seasons in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Last season, MacDonald, who hails from Dorchester, Ont., had four goals and 14 assists in 40 games for the Strathroy Rockets.
The Grizzlies will open training camp on Aug. 20.
