Vernon’s Powell Connor is now the property of the Trail Smoke Eaters.
The rugged 18-year-old defenceman was traded from the Chilliwack Chiefs in a three-way B.C. Hockey League deal this morning.
Connor, a Michigan State Spartans commit, had one goal and four points in 18 games in his third season with the Royal Bank Cup champion Chiefs. He asked for a trade more than a week ago, saying he had fulfilled all his goals in Chilliwack.
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“I’m excited,” said Connor. “Obviously, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, but at the end of the day, I’ll be getting a fresh start. I hope to come in and play my game and have some fun with it.”
Connor knows Trail forward Max Kryski from his Bantam years with the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna.
Connor played 118 regular season games with the Chiefs, and head coach/GM Brian Maloney said it wasn’t easy dealing the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder away.
“Powell has been a big part of the Chiefs program but sometimes when you’re in the same spot for a while, things can grow stale,” said Maloney. “Both Powell and I have been talking about his development and we both agreed that a change in scenery was best. Powell was a big part of our team but we also understand this is a development league and want to help kids develop whether it’s with us or elsewhere.”
The trade saw top-six forward Levi Glassman of the Smokies go to the Powell River Kings, who in turn sent 17-year-old defenceman Nathan Kelly to Chilliwack.
“By acquiring Powell Connor, we believe our team is better prepared to win in the playoffs,” said Smoke Eaters head coach/GM Jeff Tambellini, “Powell is one of the top defenders in the BCHL and is coming off winning a national championship in Chilliwack.”
Glassman, 19, of Red Deer, rang up three goals and 13 points in his second year with the Smokies. The 6-foot, 165-pounder amassed 24 goals and 52 points last season.
Kelly, 17, of Delta, had three assists in 15 games with Powell River. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder compiled four goals and a dozen points with the Kings last year after putting up 35 points with the Major Midget Greater Vancouver Canadians.
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