Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today that they have signed two more top prospects for the 2012/13 season: Zach Funk and Brad Rebagliati.

Zach Funk is a 1996-born forward that has come up through the Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association system. At the start of this season, Funk was one of the top forwards at the North Island Silvertips major midget tryouts before deciding to play at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota. As a 15-year old rookie, he put up 21 points in 54 games. Funk attended the Bulldogs’ spring identification camp held in Port Alberni, BC. At that camp, he definitely impressed the evaluating committee.
 

"Playing in the BCHL has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” said Funk. “I am honored to be a Bulldog and can't wait to contribute to the success of the team."
 

Funk was also identified as one of the top 1996-born players in BC and was invited to participate in the BC Hockey U17 BC Cup this past May in Salmon Arm, BC. Funk tied all players for most points (9) and goals (5) in the 4-day competition en route to helping his team win the gold medal with a 1-0 win in the championship game.
 

Brad Rebagliati is a 1995-born goalie who grew up in Cranbrook, BC. This past season Rebagliati played for the OHA Prep team, appearing in 32 games and posting a 2.66 GAA. He was discovered in the Bulldogs’ spring identification camp held in Quesnel, BC, in late April.
 

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be a Bulldog,” commented Rebagliati. “I am looking forward to the year and I am excited to live in Port Alberni.”
 

Rebagliati has one of a small handful of goalies that received an invite to the 2010 U17 BC Hockey provincial camp. He didn’t allow a single goal in the three games thathe appeared in. Rebagliati’s outstanding performance against the best players in the province earned him a spot on the short-list for Team Pacific, only to be beat out by Tristan Jarry who as a 16-year-old goalie this past season for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL.
 

“Both players are great young talents,” said Alberni Valley Bulldogs head coach Kevin Willison. “We hope they will be a big part of our puzzle in the coming years and will be very exciting for our fans to watch,” added Willison.
 

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs organization is very excited to welcome Zach and Brad to the organization.