Three years later, defenceman Mitch Meek is returning to the Cowichan Valley Capitals fold.
Meek began his junior A hockey career as the Capitals’ lone pick in the 2011 B.C. Hockey League midget affiliate draft, a one-off experiment by the league. He appeared in three games for the Caps in the 2011/12 season, collecting two penalty minutes, then signed on to play with the Victoria Grizzlies the following season.
After three years with the Grizzlies and Vernon Vipers, the 19-year-old Meek will be donning a Cowichan jersey once again after being acquired from the Prince George Spruce Kings earlier this week. Meek had been shipped to Prince George in another deal earlier in the offseason.
“Mitch is an experienced, solid, puck-moving defenceman that we expect will help solidify our back-end as well as contribute on the power play,” Caps head coach and general manager Bob Beatty said. “He’s excited to make his return to Vancouver Island and we are equally excited to have him with the Capitals.”
Meek played a total of 56 games between the Grizzlies and Vipers last season, scoring seven goals and adding 11 assists for 18 points. Over his career, he has 10 goals and 31 helpers for 41 points in 145 contests.
Going the other way in the trade with the Spruce Kings is 20-year-old blueliner Rylan Bechtel, who played the first three seasons of his BCHL career with the Caps, compiling seven goals and 162 assists over 167 games.
Checking in at six feet, 200 pounds, Meek has already committed to an NCAA
Div. 1 scholarship with Clarkson University beginning in the 2016/17 season.
Fans will be able to catch Meek in action at the Capitals’ training camp, beginning Aug. 22 at the Island Savings Centre.
