With one month to go until the puck drops on their opening season, the Trail Smoke Eaters injected more local flavour into their line up.
The Smoke Eaters announced the commitment of former Beaver Valley Nitehawks defenceman, Karsten Jang, on Friday. The 19-year-old Rossland native played in four games with the Smokies last season as an affiliate player, while patrolling the blue-line for the past two seasons with the Nitehawks.
“Karsten’s development this past season playing for the Beaver Valley NiteHawks was amazing to witness,” Smoke Eater head coach and GM Cam Keith said in a release. “When given the opportunity, he proved himself as a solid junior-A defenceman, while playing games for us as an affiliate player.”
Last season Jang scored five goals and 14 assists in 43 games for B.V., while adding 10 points in 41 games the previous season. The dependable and hard working d-man logged plenty of minutes in helping the Nitehawks capture the KIJHL championship and Cyclone Taylor Cup.
“I am beyond excited for the season to start and wear the Smoke Eaters jersey,” said Jang. “It’s amazing to be able to play for your hometown team and the one you grew up watching”.
Jang joins recent commit and Nitehawks’ teammate Tyler Ghirardosi on the Smokies roster, as well as returning Greater Trail products Jeremy Lucchini, Spencer McLean, Ethan Martini, and Ross Armour, and Kootenay players Kyle Chernenkoff from Crescent Valley and Cranbrook’s Korbyn Chabot.
“We are extremely excited to have another local player which brings character and pride to the Smoke Eater organization,” added Keith.
Last season, the BCHL committed about 150 players to the NCAA and Canadian university and college ranks, including seven Trail Smoke Eaters.
