The Kootenay Ice announced today that the team had acquired the rights to 1997-born goaltender Mario Petit from the Everett Silvertips for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.
“[Petit] is an experienced goaltender and someone we expect to raise the level of competition within our group,” said President and General Manager Matt Cockell. “We value his character, strong work ethic and I know he is looking forward to the opportunity with the Ice.”
The 5-11, 180 pound native of Ile-Des-Chenes, Manitoba is a veteran of 37 regular season games over two seasons with Everett, compiling a career 14-8-7-1 record along with a 2.89 goals-against average (GAA) and .892 save percentage. In four career playoff games, Petit has a 3-0 record with a 1.30 GAA and .953 save percentage.
If Petit is to crack the Ice’s 2017-18 roster, it will mark the third straight year that the team has featured a goalie as one of their three allowed 20-year-old players. Last season, Cranbrook-native Payton Lee backstopped Kootenay during his last WHL season, replacing Ice veteran Wyatt Hoflin.
The Ice now have five 1997-born players on their roster including defencemen Troy Murray and Kurtis Rutledge, and forwards Colton Kroeker and Austin Wellsby. At least two 20-year-old players will have to be cut from the roster by October.
Meanwhile, the Kootenay Ice are continuing their season ticket drive, the Drive to 25, which includes benefits and pricing for season seat holders available until June 30.
