The Mission City Outlaws swung a major trade with a local rival on Monday, sending starting goalie William Latimer to the Abbotsford Pilots.
In return, the Outlaws got a talented young forward in Dylan Kooner, Abby backup goalie Brenden Sharp, and future considerations.
“We were looking to get a little bit younger, and we were looking for a good young forward in Dylan Kooner,” explained Brad Veitch, head coach of the local junior B hockey squad.
“We wanted to give Will Latimer a chance to play in the Western Canadian championships this year [which the Pilots host in April]. He’s an older veteran player, and this is a good opportunity for him. They’re building for this year, and we’re looking more for the future. I think it worked for both teams.”
Last week, the Outlaws fell 6-1 to the Grandview Steelers at home on Thursday, and lost 9-3 to the Richmond Sockeyes on Saturday.
“It was kind of anything that could go wrong, did in those games,” Veitch said. “We actually outshot Grandview, and we shouldn’t have had that fate, but we did. In Richmond, we were flat from the beginning, and every mistake we made ended up in the net.
“But it’s just two games, and we’ll just focus on the next one.”
This Thursday, the Outlaws (6-14-4) host the Harold Brittain Conference-leading Aldergrove Kodiaks at 7:15 p.m. at the Mission Leisure Centre.
