The Blackfalds Bulldogs have added 18-year-old defenceman Gavin Karl to their lineup for the 2026-2027 BCHL season. Karl, from Excelsior, Minnesota, joins the team after impressing the coaching staff with his skating and smart play.
Karl spent last season with Minnetonka High School, a top Minnesota program, where he picked up 7 assists in 31 games. He also gained experience in 20 games with Team MPLS Magazine in the Upper Midwest HS Elite League.
Bulldogs Director of Player Personnel Al Parada said Karl “impressed the whole coaching and management staff” with his puck poise, smart play, and high-end skating ability. Parada highlighted the five-foot-eleven defender’s competitive bite and ability to move the puck.
Karl said his decision came after visiting Blackfalds. “Seeing the facilities, meeting the coaching staff, and learning about the team culture drew me to sign with the Bulldogs,” he said. He is one of several new additions as the team reloads after a tough 2024-25 season where they finished 11th in the Interior Division.
The Bulldogs play at the Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds and are owned by Doug Quinn and Jodie Quinn. The team joined the BCHL from the AJHL in January 2024 and continues to build through recruiting, including a focus on American talent from hockey-rich Minnesota.
