The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have traded two veterans—including one of its alternate team captains—in an effort to shake off an eight-game B.C. Hockey League losing streak.
Quinn Syrydiuk, who served as alternate captain for the 71 games he played in a Bulldogs uniform, will go to the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Ryan Finnegan has been traded to the Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League. Both go for future considerations.
“I think moving both of those players is a shakeup to everybody,” head coach and general manager Kevin Willison said. “It’s no easy decision to move two vets like that.”
Syrydiuk had only produced three points in 14 games, and Finnegan—who led the ’Dogs in scoring in the playoffs last year—hadn’t scored a goal in 16 games.
“When you look at the chemistry of our team and what the players were doing, that we thought they would be doing, those two were the underachievers at this time.”
The Bulldogs have not won a game since Oct. 1, a 3–2 double overtime victory over Vernon Vipers on home ice. Willison hopes they can break the streak against Powell River Kings in the Dawg Pound this Saturday, Oct. 29 (puck drops at 7 p.m.).
“We’re going through some growing pains. Do we need to improve in some areas? Absolutely.
“We’re not out of it by any means. The biggest thing is to break this streak,” he said. “There’s pressure on the guys and the best place will be home against Powell River.”
The Bulldogs then host West Kelowna Warriors on Sunday, Oct. 30 in an afternoon game (2 p.m. start).