HARRIS, LYTTON, SALEM & LEFEBVRE ADDED IN SEPARATE DEALS
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs were busy before the December 1st roster deadline on Friday, making four trades that saw them acquire two forwards, one defenceman and one goaltender.
In the first deal of the day, 1997-born defenceman Tyson Slater was dealt to the Prince George Spruce Kings in return for 1999-born blueliner Luc Salem. The Los Angeles, CA product played with the Anaheim Junior Ducks U18 program last season and was a teammate of Bulldogs forwards Paul Selleck and Brandon Bergado. He began the 2017/18 campaign with the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits before joining the Spruce Kings and has picked up five assists in 25 games so far this season.
“Luc is a smart, mobile, puck-moving defenceman who has all the tools to be very productive in our league,” says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. “Moving Tyson was difficult since he is such a committed player and person, but we know he will have a good opportunity to succeed in Prince George.”
The Bulldogs also added a pair of skaters in trades with teams from the Alberta Junior Hockey League. 1999-born forwards Carter Harris and Liam Lytton were acquired from the Grand Prairie Storm and Brooks Bandits respectively, both for future considerations. Harris is a gritty, high-energy forward who scored twice and totaled four points and 78 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Storm while Lytton is a skilled 6-foot-2 forward who netted two goals and four points in 16 regular season contests in Brooks.
“Carter is a fearless guy who will add physicality and grit to our lineup and Liam is a talented player with a lot of upside as a power forward,” says Hughes. “Both Carter and Liam will make us deeper and tougher to play against and we’re excited to see them excel in Bulldogs uniforms.”
In their final deal of the day, the team traded 1998-born forward Gregg Lee to the Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Junior Hockey League in return for 1997-born goaltender Brock Lefebvre. The Cranbrook, BC native was enjoying a stellar season in the SIJHL, leading all netminders in wins (13), goals-against average (1.99), save-percentage (.949) and shutouts (3).
“Brock is an athletic goalie with a high compete level who will be a great compliment to John Hawthorne between the pipes,” says Bulldogs assistant coach Jeff Dubois. “I know Brock well after coaching him in Creston the past three seasons and he’s a guy who can be counted on to be at his best in big games. He’s a real competitor and a great teammate who will fit in well with our group.”
The Bulldogs would like to thank Tyson Slater and Gregg Lee for their time in the Alberni Valley and all their efforts on the ice and in the community.
Luc Salem will make his debut tonight against the Penticton Vees while Harris, Lytton and Lefebvre are expected to join the Bulldogs for practice early next week and make their debuts next weekend.
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM
(250) 723-4412
matt@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
