Courtesy of Bison Sports:
Continuing a strong recruiting season, the Bison men’s hockey team is proud to announce the signing of three Manitoba players for the 2019-20 season: Bradly Goethals, Josh Tripp, and Chase Brakel.
Goethals, 20 (21 on June 17), is a 6’1″, 180-pound forward from Ile Des Chenes, Manitoba, who last played for the Swan Valley Stampeders in the MJHL. Goethals was a high production player in 2018-19, finishing second in league scoring with 34 goals and 45 assists in 50 games played. He was also first in playoff scoring, with 12 goals and 13 assists in 17 games played. For his efforts, he was named an MJHL First Team All-Star.
Goethals also has Western Hockey League (WHL) experience, playing 72 games with the Saskatoon Blades from 2017-19 and 23 games with the Everett Silvertips in 2016-17. In 69 games with the Blades in 2017-18, Goethals totalled 15 goals and 17 assists.
“I’m excited to join the Bisons. I’m good buddies with a couple guys on the team so that made me comfortable,” said Goethals. “Mike’s also been awesome to me and is going to give me a really good opportunity to succeed and make me a better player. Also being at home is nice — I think playing at home puts myself in a comfortable situation and hopefully I can help this team make the playoffs and do a lot of good things.”
Tripp, 21, is a 5’9″, 165-pound forward from Swan River, Manitoba, and earned the regular season MVP in the MJHL with the Swan Valley Stampeders in 2018-19. Tripp was also an MJHL First Team All-Star and the regular season scoring leader in the league, totalling an impressive 36 goals and 48 assists in 57 games played. He was similarly prolific in the post-season, scoring 11 goals and ten assists in 21 games.
“I’m really excited to join the Bisons,” said Tripp. “They put together a competitive team regularly and it’s in my home province, which makes it even more exciting.”
As the top two scorers in the MJHL, Tripp and Goethals led the Stampeders to their highest league finish in club history and into the league finals.
Brakel, 20, is a 5’11”, 185-pound forward from Winnipeg, who is coming off ANAVET Cup and Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) title wins with the Portage Terriers. Brakel rejoined the Terriers in December after playing at Cornell University (NCAA) and immediately produced, scoring nine goals and 11 assists in just 21 regular season games played. He was even stronger in the MHJL and ANAVET Cup playoffs, scoring 11 goals and 17 assists in 20 games.
Before the 2018-19 campaign, Brakel was the captain of the Terriers in 2017-18, totalling 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) in 49 games. His best regular season with Portage was in 2016-17, when he amassed 80 points (34 goals, 46 assists) in 58 games — second only on the team to current Bison forward Jeremey Leipsic (100 points).
“We are very excited to welcome three of the best graduating CJHL players in Canada to the Bisons; Bradly Goethals, Josh Tripp, and Chase Brakel,” said Bisons head coach Mike Sirant.
“All three of these players bring outstanding offensive statistics, plus impressive individual and team achievements to the Bisons. Bradly Goethals is a high end, skilled player who has tremendous speed, excellent puck skills and can score goals. Josh Tripp is a really skilled and competitive player who is always around the puck and scores — as evident by his league leading 36 goals this season. Chase Brakel is an exceptional ‘complete player’ who has the proven ability to raise his game to the highest level in the playoffs; he brings an extensive winning resume to the Bisons including multiple MJHL and Anavet Cup Championships!”
Brakel, Goethals, and Tripp join Tony Apetagon and Brian Harris as MJHL alumni to join Bison men’s hockey in 2019-20.
