SPEEDY FORWARD JOINS BULLDOGS FULL-TIME AFTER SUCCESSFUL DEBUT LAST SEASON
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are pleased to announce that 2001-born forward Stephen Castagna has committed to join the team for the 2018/19 British Columbia Hockey League season.
Castagna is from North Vancouver and spent the 2017/18 season with with the Burnaby Winter Club Academy’s Midget Prep team in the CSSHL. He helped BWC to a league-best 34-1-1 record while recording 11 goals and 28 assists in 32 regular season games. He also suited up in five regular season games and four playoff contests with the Bulldogs as an affiliate player, scoring twice and totaling five points and eight minutes in penalties.
“Stephen stepped into our line-up towards the end of last season and proved that he was more than capable of playing at the Junior A level,” says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. “His speed and work ethic make him effective in all three zones and he’s a tenacious player who will just continue to get better. He’s had excellent coaching at the Burnaby Winter Club and we’re excited to see his progress as a member of our team next season.”
Prior to making his BCHL debut last season, Castagna spent the 2016/17 campaign with BWC’s Elite-15s program, winning a CSSHL championship while contributing 21 points in 27 games.
“I’m really looking forward to playing for the Bulldogs next season,” says Castagna, who describes himself as a hardworking, two-way forward who can contribute at both ends of the ice and isn’t afraid to play on the edge. “It was a fantastic experience being in Port Alberni for playoffs in March; the organization treated me amazing on and off the ice, from my billet and school to how Coach Matt and Jeff trusted me on the ice. The way the guys welcomed me to junior hockey was something I’ll remember forever. I love the team’s style of play and I think it suits me well.”
Castagna will be on the ice when the Bulldogs when training camp opens in August.
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM
(250) 723-4412
matt@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
