Photo credits: Island Images (Gill, Benoche), Garrett James Photography (Matthew)
After scoring 21 goals in their last two games, it is no surprise that we have an Alberni Valley Bulldogs sweep in the latest Napa Canada 3 stars of the week! Congratulations to Brandon Gill, Kai Matthew and Kye Benoche
Come see them play at our next home game: January 10th at the Dawg Pound.
News release from BCHL January 6th, 2026 Below:
Alberni Valley Bulldogs forwards Brandon Gill, Kai Matthew and Kye Benoche have been named the NAPA Auto Parts 3 Stars of the Week.
1st Star – Brandon Gill (F) – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Gill amassed 12 points in just two games last week, leading the league in points and assists with nine.
The 20-year-old forward put up a whopping seven points in the Bulldogs 11-2 New Year’s Day triumph over the Victoria Grizzlies, scoring one goal and adding six assists, two of which came with the man advantage. On Saturday, Gill notched two goals and a trio of helpers in a 10-4 home win against the Surrey Eagles. With his team down 3-0 in the first period, the Scarborough, Ont. native assisted on two late goals before intermission that swung momentum, as Alberni Valley would go on to score nine straight times.
After his massive output last week, Gill now has 31 points in 28 games on the season and has totaled 27 points in 18 games since being acquired by the Bulldogs from the Surrey Eagles on Oct. 30.
2nd Star – Kai Matthew (F) – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Matthew averaged four points per game last week, finishing with four goals, four assists and eight points over two contests.
The 2005-born forward totaled two goals and two assists on Thursday in his team’s road victory over the Victoria Grizzlies, then matched his output with another two goals and two helpers on Saturday in the Bulldogs win against the Surrey Eagles.
Matthew, who was selected to play in both the Canada vs. World Game and College Prospects Game at All-Star Weekend, currently sits second in team scoring with 35 points in 31 games, while his 18 goals lead the Bulldogs and are fifth most league-wide.
3rd Star – Kye Benoche (F) – Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Benoche scored four goals and added three assists for seven points in two games last week.
On New Year’s Day, the Campbell River, B.C. product collected his first career BCHL hat trick in the Bulldogs win over the Victoria Grizzlies. Benoche scored the first two goals of the game, including one on the power play, then completed the hat trick 6:54 into the second period. He added a pair of assists for a career-best five-point night and was named first star of the game. On Saturday, the 20-year-old had a goal and an assist in Alberni’s win against the Surrey Eagles.
Benoche has 27 points in 32 games this season and 24 in 25 games since being acquired from the Nanaimo Clippers in October.
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Honourable mentions:
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Luke Sinclair: 2GP – 4G – 2A – 6PTS
Salmon Arm Silverbacks F Anthony Preskar: 2GP – 1G – 6A – 7PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs D Wyatt Davis: 1G – 5A – 6PTS
Alberni Valley Bulldogs F Teague McAllister: 2GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS
