The Cowichan Valley Capitals have finalized the trade that sent forward Thomas Gobeil to the Victoria Grizzlies last January, and the return is impressive.
In return for Gobeil, a 20-yearold in his last season of junior who played just 16 games for the Grizzlies, the Caps get back two big, 1996-born players who have already proven themselves in the B.C. Hockey League: forward Ayden MacDonald and defenceman Chris Harpur.
Last season was the six-footthree, 200-pound MacDonald’s first in the BCHL. The Langley product played 50 games with the Vernon Vipers and the Grizzlies, scoring five goals and setting up eight others while compiling 57 penalty minutes. He added three more goals and one assist in five playoff games.
"Ayden is a solid physical force that finished his rookie season putting up good numbers offensively," Capitals head coach and general manager Bob Beatty said. "He also put up an impressive amount of points the previous season for the Richmond Sockeyes in the PJHL. He has an excellent skill set for a big man and is a solid penalty killer."
Harpur, who calls Niagara-onthe-Lake, Ontario home, was also in his rookie season last year. The six-foot-three, 195-pound blueliner scored twice and added 13 helpers in 56 games, with 54 penalty minutes. He had two more points in six playoff contests.
"Chris is a big, mobile, physical puck-moving defenceman that we think is one of the very best defenders in the BCHL," Beatty said. "We are extremely pleased to add the size, skill, and physical presence that Chris and Ayden bring to our team."
Gobeil played three seasons of major junior hockey in Quebec before joining the Caps for his last season of eligibility. He missed time with injuries, but had 23 points in 25 games with Cowichan before being traded to Victoria at the deadline. He scored 12 goals and added five assists in 16 regular-season games with the Grizzlies, but was held without a point in six playoff games.
