The Chilliwack Chiefs made a move to clear the log-jam of 20 year olds Sunday, sending Cooper Rush to the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Rush, a healthy scratch for Chilliwack in Friday’s overtime loss to Langley, was traded to PG for 19-year-old blueliner Caleb Thompson. With the Spruce Kings in town for a Sunday night BCHL matchup, both players suited up for their new teams. Prince George won 3-0.
The Chiefs had to deal an over-ager with the return of Tanner Cochrane. The older brother of super-rookie Carter Cochrane has provided a necessary dose of energy, truculence and offence (five points) in the six games he’s played.
Before Rush was dealt, Chilliwack had seven 20 year olds on the roster: Rush, Cochrane, Cody Bardock, Mathieu Tibbet, Kiefer McNaughton, Shay Laurent and Andrew Silard. The league only allows six in the lineup on game nights.
In his third year with the team, The six-foot-seven and 266 pound D-man had collected career highs in goals (seven) and points (28) through 39 games.
In Thompson the Chiefs acquire a player with a short BCHL resume.
A native of Oklahoma City, OK, the six-foot and 185 pound 19 year old has 28 games in the league, with two goals, five points and 12 penalty minutes to show for it.
Thompson’s Chiefs are in Langley Friday night for the opening half of a weekend home-and-home. Chilliwack hosts the Rivermen Saturday (7 p.m.) at Prospera Centre.
