The league’s highest-scoring team added another high scorer at the trade deadline.
The Nanaimo Clippers made one move Sunday, acquiring forward Gavin Gould from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for forward Zach Court and future considerations.
Mike Vandekamp, Clippers general manager, said his team approached the deadline with certain needs in mind.
“One of them was to try to add some more scoring to our forward group,” he said. “Obviously we’ve been sort of top-heavy with our scoring.
“There was some other things that we were looking at and looking for, as well, but it was one of those years where there wasn’t, as you could see, a lot of movement.”
Gould sits 10th in the B.C. Hockey League in scoring with 22 goals and 29 assists. The 19-year-old is 5-foot-8, 160 pounds and hails from North Vancouver.
“He was the best-scoring forward available in our league with regards to a trade…” Vandekamp said. “He’s proven he can score; he’s also a feisty player. He’s not the biggest guy, but he plays hard.”
Court had eight goals and eight assists with the Clippers.
“It was not easy to part with him,” Vandekamp said. “He certainly did not do anything wrong to put himself in this position at all. He’s been a great teammate, worked hard every day.”
On the ice, the Clips were winners, edging the Powell River Kings 3-2 on Saturday at Frank Crane Arena.
Sheldon Rempal scored the tie-breaking game-winning goal in the third period Saturday, his second of the night. Will Reilly had Nanaimo’s other goal in that one and goalie Evan Johnson made 28 saves for the win.
GAME ON … The Clippers are on the road this coming weekend, visiting the Wenatchee Wild on Friday (Jan. 15), the Langley Rivermen on Saturday and then the Coquitlam Express on Sunday.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
