Skip to content

Chilliwack Chiefs sign two more players, continue to recruit Ontario talent

Two newest players make it four from Ontario this offseason
chiefs
Chiefs have added three new players this week alone

The Chilliwack Chiefs continue looking east this offseason, signing yet another two players from Ontario this week. 

Following the addition of forward Matthew Manza earlier this week, the team announced the signings of forward Ben Bowen and goaltender Sebastian Gatto for the upcoming season. 

2008-born Bowen played most of his minor hockey in his hometown of Peterborough, but played the last three seasons for the Vaughan Kings AAA team where he put together an excellent 2023-2024 campaign amassing 69 points through 51 games. The 6-foot-2 forward is a former teammate of recent signee Caleb Malhotra with the Kings, as well as Manza, with the two playing just three games together during Bowen’s time as an under-age affiliate with the Toronto Patriots. 

Gatto was born in Troy, MI, and holds dual citizenship having spent most of his minor hockey career with the Honeybaked AAA hockey team based out of Detroit. Gatto – the oldest of the three recent signees at 18-years-old – then took his talents to the Leamington Flyers of the OJHL for the 2023-2024 season where he boasted a brilliant .928 save-percentage allowing just over two goals a game. He joins the Chiefs after having taken part in the Detroit Red Wings development camp where he was praised by the organization’s top brass. 

Gatto checks in at 6-foot-3 and joins signee and fellow netminder Owen Bresson, whom the team received via trade last month. 

“We are really happy that we are able to create some competition within our group with two great goaltenders who are extremely motivated coming into this season,” said head coach Brian Maloney of his two new goalies. “Sebastian showed very well for himself at Detroit’s camp, and speaking with both him and Owen it is clear that they are both really excited to be a part of this group here in Chilliwack.

“Ben is a player that really intrigued us from the get-go,” said Maloney of Bowen. “A big, strong and powerful kid who can flat-out score and create opportunities out there.

“We spent time talking to him (Bowen) and understanding what his long-term goals are for his career and felt this was a perfect fit for both sides.”

Both players cited the level of competition in the BCHL, paired with the importance of player development, as heavily weighted factors in their respective decisions.