The Trail Smoke Eaters completed a deal on Tuesday sending injured forward John Laurito closer to home and picking up forward Nolan Redler in a separate acquisition.
Laurito went down with a shoulder injury in a Smoke Eater win over Vernon on Dec. 12, so with that in mind, the team sent the Johnston, Rhode Island native to the South Shore Kings based out of Foxborough, Mass., of the US Junior Hockey League for futures.
“It allows him to heal up at home, and then get back on the ice and play for that team,” said Smoke Eater coach Nick Deschenes.
The 19-year-old Laurito played in 32 games with Trail scoring two goals and adding eight assists.
With a card open, the Smokies then secured Redler who was second overall in scoring in the Eastern Hockey League playing for the Northern Cyclones. The 19-year-old Winchester, Mass. native is a five-foot-nine, 175-pound forward with speed and skill, who netted 18 goals and 22 assists in 21 games with the Cyclones.
“Even though he’s a small player, he’s a gritty player, and he plays the game the right way,” said Deschenes.
While the EHL is not the same calibre as the BCHL, Deschenes says he believes Redler has the ability to adapt to the faster pace of the new league.
“There’s always an adjustment period, he is coming from a slower league to a faster league, but I think he’s beyond that level and is looking forward to the opportunity to challenge himself again, and help us make the playoffs.”
The Smoke Eaters embark on a three game road trip to the coast Friday where they’ll face the Coquitlam Express, Chilliwack Chiefs, and Surrey Eagles over the weekend.
