Nieto Named Most Improved

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild, fresh off their successful first season in the British Columbia Hockey League, have announced that Garrett Nieto has been named the team’s most improved player, as voted on by the players.

Nieto, a 6’3”, 235 pound goaltender from Yorba Linda, CA, played 19 games in his rookie season with the Wild, with 11 wins, a 2.09 goals against average and a .911 saves percentage, with one shutout. In the playoffs, he appeared in two games, with one win. He recently committed to play college hockey at Lake Superior State University.

“It’s an honor being voted most improved by my teammates” said Nieto. “I really couldn’t have done it without them playing many strong games in front of me and I couldn’t have done it without the coaching staff. They were able to trust me in big games and I was ready whenever they wanted me to go in.”

“Garrett had a great year” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “and has proven to not only be a legitimate BCHL starter but a kid that will have a chance to play big time college hockey. Garrett is also a world class teammate and one of the most respected players in the room.” 

The Wenatchee Wild recently finished their season in the second round of the BCHL playoffs. Next up are tryout camps for the 2016-17 BCHL season. Information on those camps will be available on the team’s website, wenatcheewildhockey.com.

Battle for the Border

Nieto Makes College Committment

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild is pleased to announce that goaltender Garrett Nieto has committed to play college hockey for Lake Superior State University.

Nieto, a 17 year old, 6’3” 235 pound left handed catching goaltender from Yorba Linda, California, recently completed his first season with the Wild, compiling a 2.09 goals against average and a .911 saves percentage in 19 games, winning 11 times. He had one win in two playoff appearances.

“We are happy for Garrett.” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “He has worked hard to become a top-end goaltender. We sleep well knowing we have Garrett in net next fall. LSSU in getting a high end goalie and a player with great character. “

“It was an honor for me to accept the offer from Lake Superior State.” said Nieto. “I think it’s going to be the best fit for me to move forward with my career and I’m excited to see what’s ahead.”

Lake Superior State University competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The men’s hockey program has qualified for the WCHA playoffs in 5 of the last 6 seasons. The school is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and was established in 1946.

Battle For The Border

Perry Voted Wild Playoff MVP

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild, fresh off their successful first season in the British Columbia Hockey League, have announced that Chase Perry has been named the team’s postseason most valuable player, as voted on by the players.

Perry, a 6’3”, 195 pound goaltender, is from Andover, Minnesota. He appeared in 9 games during the playoffs, with a 2.75 goals against average and a .906 saves percentage, with one shutout.

“Chase was a difference maker for us all year” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “and in the playoffs he kicked it up a few notches and gave us a chance to win every night. He stole a few games that we might have been outplayed at the start.”

“I am honored to be recognized,” said Perry. “and I just want to say thank you to the Wild organization for a great season. Each game is about the team and we. I’d also like to thank the Wenatchee fans, who are the best in the league. I will always be Wild.” 

The Wenatchee Wild recently finished their season in the second round of the BCHL playoffs. Next up are tryout camps for the 2016-17 BCHL season. Information on those camps will be available on the team’s website, wenatcheewildhockey.com.

Battle for the Border

Harris Voted Wild MVP

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild, fresh off their successful first season in the British Columbia Hockey League, have announced that Brendan Harris has been named the team’s most valuable player, as voted on by the players.

Harris is a 5’9”, 161 pound center from Las Vegas, Nevada. He played in 57 games for the Wild this past season, scoring 14 goals and adding 42 assists, leading the team in scoring with 56 points, while also adding 26 minutes in penalties. In 10 playoff games, he had 3 goals with 10 assists for a team-high 13 points, with 4 minutes in penalties.

“Brendan had a great season” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “His consistency was something that his teammates counted on every weekend. We look forward to Brendan being one of our leaders off the ice and on the ice this coming season. We expect that Brendan will be one of the most dynamic players in the BCHL. He is a Bemidji State commit.”

“I want to thank my teammates for voting for me,” said Harris. “However, I owe this recognition to them. Hockey is a team sport and they put me in situations that helped me succeed as an individual.” 

The Wenatchee Wild recently finished their season in the second round of the BCHL playoffs. Next up are tryout camps for the 2016-17 BCHL season. Information on those camps will be available on the team’s website, wenatcheewildhockey.com.

Battle for the Border

Baker Named Top Wild Rookie

Wenatchee, WA. – The Wenatchee Wild, fresh off their successful first season in the British Columbia Hockey League, have announced that Matt Baker has been named the team’s rookie of the year, as voted on by the players.

Baker, a 5’11”, 168 pound center from Midhurst, Ontario, played 50 games in his first season with the Wild, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists, with 18 minutes in penalties. In 10 playoff games, he had 3 goals, 3 assists and 4 minutes in penalties.

“Matt had a very good year” said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach/General Manager Bliss Littler. “As the season progressed, so did his ice time. By the holidays Matt was playing in all situations. We look forward to Matt being a very big part of our team next fall.”

“Yes, it is a huge honor” said Baker. “It was a great first year in Wenatchee and the players and coaches couldn’t have made it better. The boys made it very easy to come in and be comfortable right away. We truly had a brotherhood between the team and it is definitely a year I will remember for a long time.” 

The Wenatchee Wild recently finished their season in the second round of the BCHL playoffs. Next up are tryout camps for the 2016-17 BCHL season. Information on those camps will be available on the team’s website, wenatcheewildhockey.com.

Battle for the Border

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Wolves Edge Bellingham, Win Cascade Cup

Bellingham, WA. – The Wenatchee Wolves completed a tremendous season Friday night, beating the Bellingham Blazers 2-1, taking the Cascade Cup finals 3 games to none, in a game played at the Sportsplex in Bellingham.

Wenatchee scored first on a shot from the high slot, 9 seconds into a 5-on-3 power play, as Raymond Fleming (Palo Alto, CA) scored from Hunter Alden (Walla Walla, WA) at 11:15, giving the Wolves a 1-0 lead. Then, late in the period, Brayden Durante (New Westminster, BC) finished off a 2-on-1, scoring a 4-on-4 goal. Alden and Anders Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT) assisted at 19:36, giving Wenatchee a 2-0 lead after one.

In the second period, both teams had chances on the man advantage, allowing the Wolves to hold a 12-7 shots advantage in the middle stanza, but neither team was able to score, with the contest remaining 2-0 in favor of the Wolves through 40 minutes.

Bellingham would get on the board in the third, as Kevin Duncan would score unassisted at 13:22, cutting the Wenatchee lead to 2-1. The Blazers would amp up the pressure through the waning minutes of regulation, but weren’t able to net the equalizer, as the Wolves hung on for the 2-1 win, taking the series and the Cascade Cup in three straight games.

Wenatchee outshot Bellingham 39-26 on the night. Bronson Moore (Kennewick, WA) made 25 saves for the Wolves, while Broderick Parker had 37 saves for the Blazers. Wenatchee went 1-for-7 on the power play and 5-of-5 on the penalty kill.

“Really proud of our guys.” said Wenatchee Wolves Head Coach Ryan McKelvie. “They obviously had a remarkable season and finished it off by finding a way to win three very tough games against a very tough opponent. I think our guys showed a ton of character and a ton of heart during the series and just really proud of the year they had”

The Wolves win the best-of-five series 3 games to none, winning the team’s first-ever Cascade Cup title. Wenatchee finished the postseason with a 6-0 mark, outscoring their opponents 35-7, on the heels of a 39-1-0-0 regular season mark.

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