20-YEAR OLD BLUELINER ADDED FROM BONNYVILLE IN SWAP FOR THORNE
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are pleased to announce the acquisition of 1997-born defenceman Mitchell Oliver from the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in return for 1999-born forward Lucas Thorne.
Oliver is a Kelowna, BC product who split the 2016/17 season between the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers and the AJHL’s Pontiacs. He combined to score 11 goals and 33 points in 58 regular season games while adding four points in nine playoff games in Bonnyville.
“Mitchell is an experienced veteran defenceman who will give us an immediate boost on the blueline,” says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. “He’s a skilled puck-mover with a hard shot and good size who will contribute positively in all three zones. We’re very happy to add a player of Mitchell’s ability to our defence corps.”
Oliver’s Junior A career began in Vernon in 2014 and he went on to play 117 games in a Vipers uniform over the next two-plus seasons, collecting 39 points. Prior to making the jump to the BCHL, he was part of the Okanagan Rockets major midget squad that represented BC at the Telus Cup.
Oliver will make his Bulldogs’ debut tonight when Alberni Valley hosts the Victoria Grizzlies at 7:00 PM. Admission is $7.00.
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM
(250) 723-4412
matt@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
