By Tim Hogg
The trading relationship between the Summerland Steam and the Princeton Posse added another chapter this week as the Steam have acquired Posse captain Lane French.
The Steam had previously acquired goal scoring leader Linden Gove as well as defenseman Dawson Jenner this past off-season from the Posse to help bring leadership and stability to both their forward and defensive groups.
The two organizations also came together in 2015/16 when the Posse acquired defender Matthew Monk from the Steam, and Summerland also acquired goaltender Spencer Huff during the 2014/15 season from the Posse.
This deal, the latest in the string of deals between the two, sees Lane French (’99) come to the Steam in exchange for the playing rights of ’00 F/D Tristan Hewitt.
Hewitt recorded a goal and seven points in 25 games with the Steam this season while playing a combination of forward and defense in key situations including special teams and late-game scenarios.
“Obviously to get a good player, you have to send one in return and that’s certainly the case with Hewy (Tristan Hewitt),” said Steam head coach John Depourcq. “He’s a great young man and he’s been a good soldier for us during his time here. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him, and he’s shown himself quite well in all situations. We hope there’s an opportunity for a little more playing time for him in Princeton, and we wish him the best moving forward.”
French, a 19-year old power forward, has put up nearly a point per game for the Posse this season.
With 10 goals and 18 points in 26 games played, he was tied for the team lead in points at the time of the trade, and figures to slot into the top of Summerland’s lineup.
He adds to a Steam forward group that already possesses grit, physical presence, talent and speed, and will likely play a big role for Head Coach John Depourcq through the remainder of the 2018/19 season and potentially beyond.
“We’re very happy to have the opportunity to bring a player like Lane to our organization,” Depourcq said. “He’s obviously a guy we are familiar with having had him here as an affiliate and now playing against him for a couple of years. He’s a big, physical hockey player that possesses great speed and a heavy shot. He fits into our forward group very well, and makes an already tough group to play against even tougher.”
French played four games with the Steam as an affiliate player during the 2016/17 season before signing with Princeton. He recorded one assist in those four games and has since developed into a big, physical power forward with a heavy shot. He was a power play quarterback for the Posse early in this season and could potentially fill the same role for the Steam going forward.
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