ALBERNI VALLEY SWAPS BLUELINERS IN DEADLINE DEAL WITH SILVERBACKS
Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have completed a trade with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, acquiring the CJHL playing rights of 2000-born defenceman Ethan McLaughlin and future considerations in return for 1998-born defenceman Darren Rizzolo.
McLaughlin is in his first British Columbia Hockey League season and has three assists in 36 regular season appearances. He played his midget hockey with the Okanagan Hockey Academy, netting 37 points in 36 games last season while making his Junior A debut as an affiliate player with the Penticton Vees.
“Ethan is a smart, two-way defenceman who moves the puck well and has the mobility to contribute in all three zones,” says Bulldogs head coach Matt Hughes. “He’s transitioned nicely to the level of play in the BCHL and we expect him to step right in and help our group now and in the future.”
Veteran defenceman Darren Rizzolo has been moved to Salmon Arm in the deal. In his fourth BCHL season, Rizzolo had one goal and 10 assists in 26 games as well as 22 penalty minutes. In 176 career BCHL games split between Chilliwack, Vernon and Alberni Valley, the Mission, B.C. product has a combined for 10 goals and 38 assists.
“Darren has been a key member of our team over the past two and a half seasons and a well-liked individual in our room and in the community,” says Hughes. “We appreciate all his efforts in a Bulldogs uniform and wish him nothing but success in Salmon Arm.”
McLaughlin is expected to join the Bulldogs in time for this weekend’s three-game road trip to Wenatchee, West Kelowna and Coquitlam.
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For more information, please contact:
Matt Hughes
Head Coach/GM
(250) 723-4412
matt@albernivalleybulldogs.ca
